Newcastle and Port Stephens

After Hunter Valley we set the sat-nav and headed to Newcastle to see yet more of Nicoles family friends.

They were an old couple in their 80's who emmigrated from SA in the 60's and we had a fantastic time chatting to them about days of old in the old country.

We wished them farewell and headed to Port Stephens (Shoal Bay).

We settled in to a camping site in 1 mile beach and listened to Koalas chattering away which sounded like babies crying.

The next morning the local semi wild Wallaby came and checked us out. We got close enough to pet the little fellow who was very cute.
I went for a shower and had the privelige of a Possum peering at me as i showered. Most unnerving...Creepy little bugger.

We went for a walk of 1 Mile Beach and then to Anna Bay to see the 32 Km of sand dunes. I even climbed one and admired the view.

We went for a walk up to the viewing point (an old radar station) and saw beautiful views of the ocean, fingle bay and even a school of dolphins. I went for a swim at Fingle Bay.

We headed north on the Pacific Highway and through an abundance of lakes and pretty countryside all the way to Forster.

We went into Port Maquarie and stayed there for the night.