Port to Port via Dorrigo overnight run

30 January 2014 / Story: Mike Walkden-Brown. Photos: Keiran Rodgers

What a great MX-5 Club drive and weekend away like fine wine to sip and put away to enjoy again at a later date.

I would like to thank Peter Rodgers our convenor who has been instrumental for the success of the Mid North Coast Chapter and his support in suggesting and helping organise the run, Peter and Sandy, Greg, Michael and Rhys for feedback which is invaluable to improve the run next time and the Highway Patrol just shy of Armidale who pinched the erratic woman driver who was overtaking over double yellow lines, a danger to herself and all of us.
 
Saturday was fine, warm but not hot and our group of eleven people with six MX-5’s set out from the Port Macquarie Service Centre for our first stop, Captain Cook Lookout Nambucca Heads. Sleepy Nambucca Heads is my home town and I'm always happy to show people the natural beauty of this coastal village. The view from Captain Cook Lookout is one of the best in Australia and well
worth a stop to enjoy an unobstructed spectacular view up and down the Coast. After enjoying the view we stopped at Bellwood Park for a rest stop before continuing to Bellingen. The drive these days on The Pacific Highway with multiple speed restrictions and speed limits is a trial and I'm sure we were all happy to arrive at Bellingen where our weekend really began.

Bellingen was a hive of activity and the markets as I remember them, lots of stalls selling interesting wares and always the alternative lifestyle of the 1970's evident and a must visit to Bellingen. If you do visit Bellingen on market day expect lots of people and parking at a premium but a visit is not a visit if you miss the markets and the Federal Hotel in the main street serves a really good lunch.

Due to the numerous alternatives our group split up to allow choice and freedom to explore Bellingen and then meet for dinner at our overnight digs, The Heritage Hotel Motel Dorrigo. The accommodation, service and facilities were excellent and the Hotel was a good choice. The meals were terrific and I have no hesitation recommending the Hotel for an overnight stop at Dorrigo.
 
We awoke Sunday to find a perfect summer day and after breakfast and saying good-bye to Michael and Rhys who had decided to return by the way we came, the shorter route, five MX-5’s and nine people set out for Ebor Falls, the next stop on our journey.

From Dorrigo we were now in territory where the MX-5 truly shows its worth, realistic speed limits and winding rollercoaster roads. Roads the MX-5 is designed for, roads to enjoy as I have for many years. The MX-5 is a great drive and clearly shows it's worth here.

Ebor Falls did actually have Falls and we spent some time enjoying the view from the lookout before continuing our journey to Uralla for lunch. Some cattle grazing by the side of the road slowed our pace at times but this is to be expected these days on country roads.

We arrived at Uralla and found the town inundated with bikies of numerous club affiliations who had occupied the pub next to the brewery, our likely lunch venue. However all was not lost, as we were discussing our options the bikies started their bikes and left town.  Was our group of five MX-5's responsible for the bikies leaving town?, doesn't matter, we had our lunch venue and a clear run for lunch which again proved to be excellent.

After lunch we refuelled and continued along Thunderbolt’s Way and the Oxley Highway to Ginger’s Creek our last stop before saying good-bye and until we meet again.

Once again, my thanks to Peter Rodgers for his advice and support and to all who shared this weekend.  Nothing more to say, other than the weekend was a success enjoyed by all and it was a pleasure to be part of it.

A weekend away with the MX-5 Club is special and there is no better way to friendship than find it with such a group. Thank You.
 
Mike Walkden-Brown