Winter run to Dorrigo

15 August 2016 / Words and pictures - Greg Cox

It was a balmy 23 degrees as our 6 MX-5s and a Jag departed the  Rivermark Café in Port Macquarie for our winter run to Dorrigo via Nana Glen.

With two new sections of the A1 Pacific Highway freeway recently opening, the usual road works were reduced, along with our travel time to our first stop at Macksville.

After a brief rest stop where Mike Walken-Brown joined the group, we travelled north again through Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbour where we joined the Orara Way through Coramba to Nana Glen, for morning tea at Kafe Kookaburra.

Located in a bush setting just off the main road, this Café has an authentic Melbourne Tram set up with tables to sit and enjoy a meal while taking in the bush views.

It was soon time to move on, and continue along the Orara way through to Glenreagh, with a short cut diversion by the run leader that led us to a gravel road that was not indicated  on the map.

So we back tracked a few kilometres to the Orara way and continued through to Grafton road and south through Coutts Crossing and Nymboida. We then entered the fabulous corkscrew section where our MX-5s really utilized what they were designed for, cornering.

We turned off at Tyringham for the final 24 kilometres to Dorrigo where we arrived at the Heritage Hotel just in time before lunch service ended.  Luckily the kitchen stayed open for us to enjoy a hearty meal and good conversation.

Our last stop on the run after finishing lunch and leaving Dorrigo, was the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, for a view over the Dorrigo national park to the coast, and rainforest walks for those who wished to participate.

We then parted company for the drive down the Waterfall Way through Bellingen to the A1, and our respective drives home.

Thanks to Graham and Margaret Osborne from the Canberra Chapter for joining us while on holiday in Port Macquarie, and regulars from the Hunter, Barry and Jenny Luttrell.