Today we spent the day exploring beautiful Dunbogan, only half an hour from our home in Port Macquarie. Dunbogan is blessed with pristine waterways, beaches, hikes and breathtaking views. As much as we love our overseas travels, there is something special about exploring hidden gems closer to home.
Dunbogan Boatshed
Our first stop was the Dunbogan Boatshed for coffee (and a sneaky sausage roll). The Dunbogan Boatshed is nestled on the banks of the Camden Haven River and overlooks the yachts anchored on the river with North Brother Mountain in the distance. We sat on the deck and watched the dolphins in the river and the fish feeding below us.
Charles Hamey Lookout
Enroute to the beach we decided to check out Charles Hamey Lookout. It was a short drive on an unsealed road to the carpark where we were greeted with gorgeous scenery.
The views stretched all the way down Dunbogan Beach to Diamond Head and to North Brother Mountain in the distance.
Camden Head Lookout
It was less than a km walk from the car park to the Camden Head lookout. Camden Head lookout had beautiful views in the same direction (but higher) as Charles Hamey lookout.
There was also another lookout half way along the path which had stunning views north to Perpendicular Point.
Pebbly Beach
We then took a stroll through the bush to the Pebbly Beach lookout.
We only had thongs for footwear so didn’t go down to the beach as it was a very steep, dodgy looking path but the walk was worth it for the views alone.
Pilot Beach
Beautfiul Pilot Beach is hands down one of our favourite beaches in the area. It’s a calm beach located at the mouth of the Camden Haven River between the two breakwalls.
The water at Pilot Beach was crystal clear and swimming there was pure bliss! It was so tranquil and it felt like we were on an island holiday.
After we’d swam for long enough to go wrinkly, we spent an hour or so reading some of the books that we’d purchased at the local Rotary book sale.
Back to the boatshed
Once we were sunned out, we dropped back into the Boatshed for ice cream and it did not disappoint!
It was the perfect end to a perfect day of adventures.
Dunbogan was so beautiful and we had such a fun day exploring. It had been years since I visited and it was Dan’s first time.
Pilot Beach is definitely up there as one of our favourite beaches in the region now and we will be back soon!
Do you love being a tourist in your own town?
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