Easter in Port Macquarie

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chelzmalee

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This was my first time visiting PQQ and my first real trip in about 18 months. Gosh, I didn't realise how much I missed airports :eek:

Long story short, I decided to fly up and spend the weekend with a friend. So... onto the trip!

First time flying QantasLink and first time in a Dash-8
Yep - first time. I usually fly longer distances, so you'll usually find me in a 787 or larger. I flew OAG-PQQ for a ridiculous amount of QF points (last minute booking meant using points + pay method - I decided the money in my bank was worth more to me than the points, on this occasion). I was pleasantly surprised.

Legs were OAG-SYD-PQQ. We left OAG on time, and I was surprised the cabin crew were offering a cold drink and snack service to SYD. For a ~40min flight I thought maybe a bottle of water... Instead it was water, optional soft drinks and some cute little snack bars (below). Pleasant, if not full, flight, friendly crew and an on time landing.

SYD-PQQ was much the same, but instead a complimentary beer/wine service was offered as well as little snack packs with crackers, cheese, olives and almonds. Water was also provided. Again, pleasantly surprised. Also, surprisingly roomy. Those Dash-8's are a pretty comfy ride.

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Outings of Note

You don't need a play-by-play of my weekend, so here's the best bits:

- Lots of beach walks and coffee. The sand between my toes is one of my favourite feelings.
- Dinner out Saturday night at Panthers - The Tapps bar. Great pizzas, great coughtails and live music. It's also on the water and provided some beautiful sunset views
- Camel rides on the beach for my birthday on Monday. I've never ridden a camel, it was good fun.
- Icecream cake for my birthday, because I'm still 8 years old at heart.

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Under water just 3 weeks ago?

Honestly, you wouldn't know the place was flooded 3 weeks ago. Apart from a few spots where people are still cleaning out their properties and there is some rubbish on the curb, the locals have done an incredible job at cleaning up and making it beautiful again. Shops were open and there were loads of tourists around, which was great to see.

I would do this trip again in a heartbeat. The flights were so easy, the area is beautiful. Somewhere great to just enjoy the slow life - beach walks every day were probably my favourite part. The weather was great, as well. Didn't rain until Tuesday when I flew home, and the rain seemed to follow me south to Sydney. Beautiful flying into OAG, though. Sometimes the best part of travelling is coming home.
 
I may have walked past while you were on the camel ride! We live in Port and could not believe how busy Lighthouse Baech was on Easter Sunday-huge lines for the camel rides (they have had a tough couple of years). Monday was quieter. Great to know you enjoyed the visit. Plenty of cleaning up still happening in some parts but as you say other parts back to normal. We are forecast to have a week with no rain!
 
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Yes, @RB Lighthouse Beach was crazy on Sunday! We only did a beach walk that day, and went back the next for camel rides. The tourist park nearby was packed with campers but come Monday morning it was a ghost town. But really good to see the tourist dollars coming back in.
 
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