August 10: Pretty Perch At Port Macquarie
When plotting my ride south from Port Douglas for the end of my “lap,” I chose to follow the coastline, allowing me to pop into a variety of picturesque seaside towns along the way to explore, relax, and enjoy breathtaking vistas. Arriving at Port Macquarie, I headed to the town’s Tacking Point Lighthouse to get a bird’s eye view of the area.
The white cement structure and keeper’s cottage, built in 1879, is Australia’s thirteen oldest and rests at the top of a rocky headland overlooking the South Pacific Ocean.
Perched next to it at the highest point on the bluff I could see the wide curved stretch of pink and tan sandy beach in the distance, the jagged brown rocks directly beneath me, the silver blue ocean waves with frosty white tips just beyond, and the dramatic white and grey cloud covered sky above with pops of light blue poking through.
Breathing in the wet, cool, salty sea air, I reflected on how magnificent it is that one country can have so many diverse landscapes and climates even at the same time of year. Leaving Darwin with its arid landscape, trees blackened by wildfires, and temperatures reaching 90 just a few weeks ago, I have gradually adjusted my gear to keep comfortable as temperatures have dropped, humidity risen, and rain become more prevalent.
Riding to Port Macquarie in heavy rain for most of the day, I was grateful that my rain layer kept me dry and my electric gear warmed me up. With my visor partially open to maintain visibility, the water sluiced off my face and into my mouth and nose. At one point I chucked thinking that it reminded me of the little trickle of sea water that always seemed to seep into my face mask when I was diving.
As with the day before, intermittent breaks in the downpours gave me time to clean off my visor, reset my navigation, and enjoy the scenery.
After unloading my bike in town, I headed to Bills Fishhouse and Bar where I had one of the best meals of summer. My moist and buttery barramundi fish was served on top of a steaming plate of coconut rice and drenched in a tantalizing sauce of smoked fenugreek and lychee curry, spiced peanuts, togarashi, and smoked pepper oil. I savored every single bite and scooped up every vestige of sauce with my spoon. What a great day on the road!
