Day 10 Crescent Head to Allyn River Road Trip

Flagstone lookout is on a very sort walk between Oxley Beach and Town Beach

Portmac Logo Desktop
Stay

See & Do

What's On

Information

Host your Event

Contact Us

Nobbys Beach: Port Macquarie SHARE

Nobbys Beach comprised of a 400 metre stretch of white sands between the towering 30 metre high Nobby Head and the Southern rocks of Flynns Beach. Nobbys Beach is recognised by its archetypal conglomeration of rocks residing in the centre of the beach.

The beach is largely sheltered by the headland making it a great area for swimming. The rocky nature of the beach also make for great rock fishing, with a number of popular gutters in the sand and bordering the rocks.

Unfortunately, the beach is not patrolled by lifeguards, so proceed with caution when swimming at Nobbys Beach, or check out the local beach safe guides to monitor current conditions prior to swimming. Due to the calm, protected waters and rocks that lay close to shore at Nobbys Beach, surfing is not recommended here.

You can access Nobbys Beach via a narrow dirt walking track connecting the car park and the beach. This is located at the Southern end of the beach behind Nobby Head, or you can access the beach from the rocks at Flynns Beach.

With a natural tidal lagoon, a long stretch of white sandy beach surrounded by spectacular rainforests, you are guaranteed to find yourself the perfect spot to relax at one with nature.

Ideal for families with small children, there are plenty of shady spots to set up for the day, picnic tables and barbecue facilities. You are likely to see resident bush turkeys and goannas as you enjoy the wonderful public art on display too.

Harry Thompson looked after the reserve at Shelly Beach creating a lookout, a bush track of 254 hand carved steps and a unique style of bush furniture. He was both unofficial caretaker and an artist. To recognise Harry’s contribution Stephen Killick and Stephen King were commissioned to create hand carved sculptural timber furniture including King and Queen Chairs and an entrance archway at Harry’s Lookout. This is a very popular spot for weddings.

They also recreated Harry’s caravan as a picnic table and totem reflecting his unofficial title of mayor of Shelly Beach. In addition local artist, Sue Bell, ran community workshops for people to create tiles of their memories of Harry. The subsequent Spiral Path tells a playful and narrative story of Harry Thompson

The beautiful Camden Haven is located thirty minutes south of Port Macquarie and forty minutes north of Taree. This ‘Valley of Villages’ hugs the Camden Haven River as it makes its way from the lush Comboyne Plateau to the blue Pacific Ocean.

As the river meanders through this magnificent valley it passes through the villages of Lorne, Kendall, Kew, Laurieton, Dunbogan, entering the sea between North Haven and Camden Head. Bonny Hills lies to the north overlooking Grants & Rainbow beaches. Just a further five minutes north is Lake Cathie (pronounced Cat-eye) with its beautiful lake, lagoon and beaches. Further afield you will find Port Macquarie, the regions ‘capital’, with its great shopping, beaches, history and attractions. Wauchope lies to the west of Port and is a beautiful town with a range of attractions and activities in a magnificent rural setting.

A key drawcard to the district is the myriad of waterways which make up the Camden Haven Inlet. Watson Taylors Lake, Queens Lake, Pilot Beach and Gogleys Lagoon are some of the natural features which are home to an abundance of marine and bird life. These waterways offer something for all lovers of water sports with fishing, boating, surfing, swimming and kayaking on offer.

Just a short walk from the carpark, you’ll be amazed at the breathtaking coastal views from Charles Hamey lookout. Sit on the cliff tops and admire magnificent scenery overlooking Gogleys Lagoon, with North Brother Mountain in Dooragan National Park providing a dramatic backdrop.

Gaze across the golden sands of Dunbogan Beach as it sweeps around to Diamond Head in Crowdy Bay National Park. Look out for whales and dolphins in the glistening blue waters below. You’ll also see plenty of birdlife, and you may even be lucky enough to see a peregrine falcon flying high above.

Situated in the Dooragan National Park, North Brother Mountain offers some of the most accessible, panoramic views on the east coast of Australia. The immediate view is over the magnificent Camden Haven Inlet with the Camden Haven River winding between Queens and Watson Taylors Lakes. Views extend to Crowdy Head in the south and as far as Mount Yarrahappini in the north.

Tuncurry Rock Poolis a small beach on the inside of the entrance to Wallis Lake at Tuncurry. Formed by the rocky retaining walls on the north side of the entrance channel this netted beach is ideal for families. Nice, clean sand, nearby toilet/shower/change facilities maintained by the local council and a first class cafe and picnic shelters within 50m of the beach. Can get busy in summer holiday times but plenty of room usually. Strong currents on the outside of the netting as the tide changes often sees a pod of dolfins playing close to the enclosed swimming area. For the more adventurous the near by surf beach is called Tuncurry Beach and is only 200m walk away on the northern side of the rocky breakwater. There is a nice walk out along this northern rock wall with a good chance of seeing dolfins swimmming nearby.

Twin Cities....Forster is the jewel of the nsw north coast and the beating heart of the great lakes Drive over the bridge to Forster and you will instantly see why people love coming back. Nestled between Wallis Lake and the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by National and Marine Parks.

Within the town there is mainstream and boutique shopping, a huge range of accommodation from private ocean view houses to apartments to motels to lake side camping, award winning restaurants and Clubs, a widevariety of experiences and activities and crystal clear water everywhere.

Forster is home to some of the regions biggest events and celebrates the whale watching season each year in specatuclar style.

The townsite, then originally known as 'Minimbah', when first surveyed in 1869 but was renamed Forster in 1870 after William Forster - then secretary of lands and later Premier of New South Wales. Timbergetting, milling, shipbuilding and fishing were the principal industries in the early days with sailing ships then steamships carrying fortnightly cargoes to Sydney. The first oyster lease at Forster was granted in 1884. Forster is now famous for its oysters and is the largest provider of Sydney Rock Oysters in Australia.

Tuncurry where wallis lake meets the tasman sea, lies the beautiful township of tuncurry Here you will find a community connected to the water and living a coastal Australian dream. Tuncurry is bounded by the Wallamba river, Wallis Lake and the Tasman Sea. It boasts a village style atmosphere, with plenty of shopping, activities, large open spaces, accommodation for all budgets and excellent surfing. Tuncurry is the northern gateway to the Great Lakes and at its heart is the spectacular bridge crossing Wallis Lake to Forster.

Tuncurry and Forster have always been connected. Before the completion of the bridge in 1959 there was a punt. The towns still share special events and festivals and have a rich history.

If it is fishing you are after then Tuncurry is the place. The town is famous for its fishing, infact the name 'Tuncurry' actually means plenty fish in the local indigneous language. From here you can satisfy any fishing dream you have with estuary, river and deep sea fishing all in easy reach.

A stay in Tuncurry will relax and inspire you. Guaranteed you will want to come back.

Great Lakes – Lakes Way The Lakes Way is a coastal tourist drive of 77km in length, beginning 9km south of Taree and ending 5km east of Bulahdelah. The scenic drive passes through pretty beach and lakeside communities and is a peaceful change from highway. From the south, after Bulahdelah, take the Lakes Way turn-off and explore coastal scenery at it’s best. The drive takes in breath taking views of Myall, Smiths and Wallis Lakes. Branch off to Seal Rocks to visit the beautiful lighthouse or have a meal at Pacific Palms, Forster or Tuncurry at the northern end of the drive. From the north, take the Lakes Way turn-off south of Taree.

Myall Lakes The Myall Lakes are RAMSAR listed as a wetland of international significance. It has four parts covering an area triple that of Sydney Harbour. An incredible 280 bird species call the lake home, which is more than Kakadu and it is a part of the Myall Lakes National Park. The lake is lined with campsites, fishing spots, tracks and trails, history and home to some of the best experiences in the Great Lakes.

Smiths Lake The smaller of the great lakes, but just as majestic, is Smiths Lake which is located mid way between Myall and Wallis Lakes. The lake offers warm calm waters, dotted with islands and bounded by National Park and the township of Smiths Lake. The lake is separated from the ocean by an impressive sandbar formation on Cellito Beach.

Wallis Lake Wallis lake is one of the cleanest lakes in Australia. Boasting crystal clear waters year round Wallis Lake is home to a rich seafood harvest including the famous Wallis Lake oyster. It is 25km long, 9km wide and fed by four rivers, the Wallamba, Wallingat, Coolongolook and Wang Wauk. It is a haven for anybody that loves the water and hugely popular for fishing, boating, paddling, swimming and waterskiing.

When you drive into seal rocks you will know what all the fuss is about the view is breathtaking Seal Rocks is a small, sleepy and isolated fishing village in the middle of the Great Lakes coastline. Its fame rests largely on the beautiful Sugarloaf Point lighthouse and the sense of isolation it enjoys.

Seal Rocks has a unique warm inviting atmosphere. The village is one of the few remaining coastal villages to have avoided major development, so you will experience a truly relaxing and uninterrupted stay. Here you are a stranger only once and you’ll soon be part of the Seal Rocks family.

Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean there are beach options to suit all and the diving is not to be missed as it is one of the few places to see a grey nurse shark. The well known lighthouse is a short walk from the village. It is a brilliant spot to sit and watch the whales passing by and soak up the amazing view!