Waterfall Way

Billed as New South Wales’ most scenic drive, I drive to Port Macquarie the long way round. The 190km Waterfall Way links a number of beautiful national parks between Coffs Harbour and Armidale, taking me through pristine subtropical rainforest. Sadly, the promise of spectacular waterfalls never materialises due to a lack of water. The horseshoe-shaped Ebor Falls in Guy Fawkes National Park is the only waterfall to put on a show for me.

As I emerge into the Northern Tablelands, I drive though green countryside and wide plains to reach Australia’s highest city. Armidale has a wealth of attractive heritage buildings. You could easily convince me that I am on a stage set for a period drama, I keep expecting a director to yell “cut!”. I carbo-load for the remainder of the drive at the Goldfish Bowl, a worthy pitstop for a pie and fresh juice.

I return to the coast at Port Macquarie and pitstop at the Koala Hospital. I wander around the open-air enclosures to meet the koalas injured or sick as a result of wandering too close to urban areas and then head to the heritage-listed Port Macquarie Backpackers for the night. 

Distance: 449.1km