The 12 Mile rest stop is about 50 kilometres north of Newcastle at least it did not have drop dunnies but the toilets were not much better.

I am trying not to eat at McDonald’s this trip. I ate at the Coolabah Tree instead which is probably not much better than McDonald’s this is at the Taree Service Centre South of Taree stop

I’ve been driving down the Pacific Highway all day but not seen the Pacific Ocean. When I saw the Sealy Lookout sign as I drove through Coffs Harbour I decided to investigate. I pulled off the Pacific Highway and 6 kilometres later I was at Sealy Lookout. Sealy Lookout is in the Bruxner Park Flora Reserve and features the Forest Sky Pier.

Clarence Coast rest area is a nice spot to have a quick roadside break. It has a cafe and visitor information centre, but no play things for the kids. There are lots of water dragons, ducks and fish to be seen just off the cafe deck with pleasent views of the river.

The cafe at the Clarence Coast Visitor Information Centre served acceptablly good coffee for a regional roadside coffee stop.

The Wardell rest area is just south of Ballina. Until then, roads are good but bland dual carrigageway highway. Rural single lane carriageways offer a lot more interest passing through regional towns.

The Wardell rest area is typical roadside rest area. The joys of roadside rest area drop dunnies.