From the Stunning South Coast to Emerald Beach: Back on the North Coast again

Our return trip with the teardrop trailer was a simple but satisfying adventure. We followed a basic routine: wake, swim, drive, coffee, sleep. Repeat. Along the way, we enjoyed some of the best scenery, food and coffee that the NSW coast has to offer.

First up, a swim in the lake.

We started our journey from Durras North, a picturesque village on the edge of the Murramarang National Park. We woke up early and took a refreshing swim in the clear waters of the Durras Lake, where we spotted some pelicans and ducks. Then we packed up our trailer and hit the road, heading north towards Sydney.

Leaving Durras North

We made our first coffee stop at Nowra, my hometown and the gateway to the Shoalhaven region. We visited a local cafe and reminisced about my childhood memories. We also admired the views of the Shoalhaven River and the Cambewarra Range.

We continued our drive north on the freeway and used the Northconnex tunnel to avoid traffic. We reached Sydney around lunchtime and decided to treat ourselves to some fresh oysters at the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed, a small family-run business that offers farm-to-plate oyster tasting tours.

Moonee Moonee: Fresh oysters

After satisfying our seafood cravings, we drove on to Bulahdelah, a quiet town on the banks of the Myall River. We found a free camping spot near the river and set up our trailer for the night. We enjoyed our oysters and a peaceful evening under the stars, listening to the sounds of nature mixed with sounds from the pub on the opposite bank of the Myall.

No need to unhitch, just drive up and enjoy. 

The next morning, before sunrise, we drove to Forster, a popular holiday destination on the Great Lakes. We stopped at the Great Lakes Aquatic and Leisure Centre, where we had a swim in the heated indoor pool. We also checked out the gym, the spa and the sauna, but decided to save them for another time. Coffee followed this at the Tuncurry surf club.

Coffee done, on the way to Forster.

Coffee time.

Our final destination was Emerald Beach, a stunning beach just north of Coffs Harbour. We arrived late in the afternoon and checked into our unpowered site. We walked to the beach and watched the sunset over the ocean. We saw some kangaroos grazing on the grass and some surfers catching the waves.

Chocolate brownie and espresso. At Emerald Beach General Store. We rarely miss it when passing

We spent our last night in Emerald Beach, feeling grateful for our road trip and all the experiences we had. We agreed that sometimes, the simplest things in life are the most rewarding.

79 nights in the teardrop