STOCK UP ON SNACKSBurnt Honey Bakers Pantry,Long Jetty298 The Entrance Road,Long Jetty,burnthoneybakery.com.au
You’ll pass through Long Jetty by taking the scenic route north,turning off onto the Central Coast Highway at Somersby. Just an hour-and-a-half from the Sydney CBD,Burnt Honey is a dreamy,pastel-coloured bakery from hospitality veterans Hayley Thorncraft and Jo Fairall. It’s hard to choose from the pastry cabinet,which features soft saffron and cardamom almond buns (my pick),muhamarra feta scrolls and cheddar caramelised onion bear claws.
Afterward,wander down the main street toMr Sha Sha’s for a takeaway coffee,Sorry Grandma for vintage goodies,andUpstairs Wines for bougie car snacks (and maybe a beautiful bottle of wine to try later).
PLAN B:If you’ve hit the road mid-morning,swing pastSoph’s Dumplingsin Erina (open from 11.30am). Or,if it’s a Sunday,check outThe Savoy in Long Jetty for lunch.
SURFSIDE SOFT-SERVES AND SEAFOODLarrie’s,Merewether99 Frederick Street,Merewether,larries.com.au
The team behindHarbord Hotel in Freshwater have created a 16-seat beachside diner inspired by the suburban milk bars of yore. Head chef Adam Rust is serving up an extensive,seafood-driven menu with everything from cinnamon-dusted pineapple fritters to their best-selling fish burger with slaw,pickles,red onion and burger sauce.
The crispy fish tacos and the prawn sanga hit the spot,packed full of punchy flavours,and the vanilla soft-serve was practically a necessity on a 30-degree day. But it’s the fries you must try:the house-made chicken salt seasoning has become so popular it’s now available to purchase retail.
For those with dogs,picnic rugs and fold-out chairs are available. Take them to the grassy knoll across the road,with patches of bright purple flowers and expansive views across Merewether beach.
PLAN B:Sunnyboy Kiosk is a three-minute drive up the hill,serving fish and chips,brekkie burgers and freshly made juices on picnic tables overlooking the beach. There’s a cooling ocean breeze and a playground for the kids to burn off energy.
KNOCK-OFF IN PORT MACQUARIELittle Shack and HomeSlice Pizza Bar,Port Macquarie1a Munster Street,Port Macquarie,littleshack.com.au3/14 Clarence Street,Port Macquarie,homeslice-pizza-bar.square.site
It’s the mid-way point,which means knock-off time. My advice? Find accommodation somewhere inBellingen,Sawtell or Port Macquarie. At the latter,stroll through the Town Green toLittle Shack, a Mexican-inspired bar and restaurant where locals gather to watch the sunset over Hastings River,frozen coconut marg’ in hand.
You could easily settle in for dinner,nabbing a picnic table beneath a kitschy raffia umbrella to order ceviche tostadas,or salt and vinegar potato scallops.
Or walk a block into town to tryHomeSlice Pizza Bar, the new venture from husband-and-wife team Brendon O’Hare and Maddison Hirtes.
Homeslice is an open-air restaurant with a sun bleached,coastal vibe;fast,refreshingly frank service;and great pizzas (the light,crispy dough takes three days to make,and the tomato base is made from locally grown produce).
PLAN B:If driving between Thursday and Saturday tryMatilda’s,Nambucca Heads. Former Sydneysiders Jane Smith and Kristy Bland transformed a ’70s beach shack into a pretty-in-pink restaurant serving Nambucca River oysters and fancy pizza.
COFFEE STOP
Head to cafeLiberty Providores,where you’ll find leafy outdoor seating,locally made crafts and Red Dog,the canine welcoming committee.
PLAN B: Nearby Bellingen boasts a number of great brekkie options. Sink into a vintage velvet couch with a plant-based snack and a cup of coffee atHabitat Coffee House,a cafe in a nursery,in a former service station. OrBlack Bear for homemade hash browns and a big cup of chai tea.
LAZY DAISY PICK-ME-UPS
The Lazy Daisy at Bonville Nursery,Bonville325 Pine Creek Way,Bonville;bonvillenursery.com
Bonville Nursery is a short,leafy detour from the Pacific Highway (and conveniently close to a petrol station). Owners and horticulturists Chloe Brant and Zach Gadd have set up a fairy-lit shed nestled within nursery grounds,with a coffee machine and pastries from Coffs Harbour bakery Peach and Wolf. Grab snacks to go,or find a shady seat among the selection of climate-hardy natives. Resident dog Cherry may join you.
SLOW IT DOWN FOR A SEAFOOD LUNCH
Rattle,Emerald Beach104 Fiddaman Road,Emerald Beach,rattle-restaurant.com
This stylish Emerald Beach newcomer has a shaded outdoor terrace overlooking the ocean. Take a moment to enjoy the gentle breeze over a selection of Mediterranean share plates (think white anchovies in herby lemon oil,grilled garlic and lime Balmain bugs,and patatas bravas). For passengers,there’s a selection of natural-leaning Australian wines by the glass. For drivers,artisan sodas,coffee and tea.
PLAN B:Emerald Beach General Store (just up the road) is the casual cousin of Rattle,with an extensive selection of boutique non-alcoholic beverages,Mexican-inspired cafe fare and a small garden with games for the children. Plus,road trip essentials like sunscreen,water bottles and icy poles are for sale.
NEARLY THERECape Byron Distillery,McLeods Shoot80 St Helena Road,McLeods Shoot;capebyrondistillery.com
Thirty years ago,Pam and Martin Brook began the process of transforming a 96-acre,run-down dairy farm into a thriving subtropical rainforest and macadamia orchard. Now,you’d be hard-pressed to find a bar with a better view,mere minutes from the highway. The lush,family-owned farm is home to Cape Byron Distillery,best known for Brookie’s Gin and Mac (a delicious macadamia liqueur). Tastings and distillery tours are available,but you’re also welcome to enjoy a cocktail with some locally made cheese and crackers on the outdoor patio.
PLAN B: It’s happy hour from 3-5pm at Saint Maries in Brunswick Heads,where you can cool down with $7 basics and $14 margs and Negronis. If you get there early you may be able to score a bench seat overlooking the street for prime people watching.
ONE LAST ADVENTUREYou Beauty,Bangalow37 Byron Street,Bangalow,youbeauty2479.com
It’s dinner time,and this Aussie-inspired eatery from chef Matt Stone (ex-Star Anise in Perth and Oakridge Estate in the Yarra Valley) is a short eight-minute drive from the distillery. It may be the only place in Australia where minced crocodile meat has replaced the prawns in prawn toast,joining a menu of innovative share plates such as salted snapper with fried potato,kangaroo skewers with Aussie satay sauce,and fresh Jersey curd risotto. Walk-ins are welcome,but you’d best book ahead if going on Thursday night when live jazz kicks off.
PLAN B: Opted for Brunswick Heads over Bangalow? You’ve got a few options for dinner,includinghot chook shopBirds of Paradise and vibey Mexican restaurantLa Casita(both from the team behind now-closed hatted restaurant,Fleet).
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