Final trip in our Hiace campervan. From Sydney to South West Rocks left Tuesday 23 June 2020, returned Wednesday 1st July 2020. Distance: 1350 klms
Purpose of trip
The Corona Virus epidemic restrictions were relaxed to permit holiday travel within our State (NSW) so we wanted find out the rules and limitations at caravan parks before attempting longer journeys. For this trip, our focus was on the north coast between Sydney and Coffs Harbour an area we normally bypass as we head north to Queensland. The highlights of this trip were whales tail splashing at Seal Rocks, dolphins swimming with boats, forest drives & walks. Exploring a number of coastal nature reserves photographing woodland and coastal birds. Watching an Osprey bathing and antics of flying foxes at the Port Macquarie colony

Day 1
Visited the Kooragang Wetlands at Newcastle. A relaxing walk at Sugarloaf Beach, Seal Rocks. Camped at Seal Rocks Reflections (VG site).
Day 2
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at Seal Rocks, the forest drive and cabbage palm walk in Wallingat National Park, sunset over Wallis Lakes. Stayed at Pacific Palms, Tiona. Nice park but next to road.
Day 3
Today we explored Green Point, Cape Hawke, Bennett Head Reserve & Lookout and at Forster, bought a tray of shucked oysters. Tonight stayed at Diamond Beach CP, ok if desperate but better to stay around Hallidays Point, an area with walks & wetlands
Day 4
Spent morning at Black Head Wetland Reserve, Lagoon & Flora Reserve. Drove to Manning Point with views across Manning River via Oxley & Mitchells islands. Stayed at Lani's on the Beach, Old Bar: good site.
Day 5
Today drove to and walked in the Saltwater NP. The Cattai Wetlands were still closed from the 2019 bushfires. Visited Dunbogan Lookout, walked in the Kattang Nature Reserve and on the break wall at Pilot Beach at the mouth of Camden Haven River. Stayed at North Haven: Reflections, (we rate good). Strolled from the caravan site to the break wall on Grants beach side of the Camden Haven River.
Day 6
Enjoyable riverside walk along Camden Haven River at North Haven before leaving for Port Macquarie. On journey, stopped at Rainbow Beach, near Bonney Hills, visited Sea Acres Rainforest Centre and Tacking Point lighthouse. Stayed at Port Macquarie NRMA Breakwall, a good location where we walked into town to get a take away fish and chip supper. In the pandemic, site seemed to be overcrowded compared to our previous stays.
Day 7
Our day started with a very pleasant walk on boardwalks through mangroves at the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park (by Port Macquarie historic cemetery). Our lunch today was at Settlement Point overlooking Hastings River. Leaving Port Macquarie, we drove via Crescent Head, along Belmore Swamps on the east side of Macleay River to South West Rocks. Our camp site tonight was the Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park (we rate VG) Great position: right on cliff/beach
Day 8
Another lovely start today with morning stroll on the boardwalks from Flagstaff Point, Horseshoe Bay to Point Briner along Saltwater creek. Then a drive to Laggers Point, Arakoon NP below Trial Bay Gaol. After lunch, drove to Smokey Cape Lighthouse, walked around the lagoon & wetlands near Jerseyville before camping again at North Haven. This time, was at Jacaranda Lifestyle (VG site).
Day 9
Morning: a river walk starting from the break wall along the Camden Haven River, North Haven. On the drive home, stopped at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens (just reopened after virus lock down) and the Stockton Bridge mudflats, Newcastle.