Forster – The Entrance

Stayed off the highway as much as possible and kept close to the water, of which there is a lot around this neck of the woods. I can see why many eastern staters have never left this side of the country. Apart from the marauding crowds during the holidays, there is lots of bush, national parks and waterways to keep you wondering why they don’t have any water, but I guess that’s another story.

Arrived at Newcastle and were surprised how beautiful it was. Found our way to the old part of town, and the now refurbished wharf area. They’d done a fabulous job of restoring a few heritage buildings and building lots of high rise apartment buildings and lots of great looking eating places. It has a real Fremantle feel about it. What a happening place. Took a drive on out to the lighthouse and then through the amazing oldest part of town with their amazing terraced houses clung to the sides of hills overlooking the town and port. It has a real industrial feel, but still a cultured side with the venues, and facilities that lay along the waters’ edge. Enjoyed our wanderings around.

We then followed the endless lakes down to The Entrance. This place is a bygone era of NSW holiday destination. Now a very popular Sydneysider-Muslim holiday destination. The town has one or two remaining heritage buildings, including the lovely Entrance Pub, and the old original boat hire shop. There was one or two other classic 1930s period buildings including the Surf Lifesaving building, but everything else grand has long since been destroyed, and replace with a lovely photograph on a board at the front of the property with the abomination of a building replacing it slapping you in the face. Its quite depressing walking round seeing what the town would have otherwise has looked like. Now its filled with horrid 60s and 70s high rise apartment buildings with no redeeming features and generally making an eyesore out of the town. It was however on a lovely lake, and we drove further round the lake side to find a quiet spot to nestle for the night.