NSW - Balina - Shelly's On The Beach

While our caravan was being repaired in Alstonville, we spent the day traveling from Balina up the coast to Byron Bay, Lennox Head and then back.

We had breakfast at “Shelly’s On The Beach” in Balina. It is a beautiful spot, and as the name says, right on the beach, serving breakfast, lunch and coffee.

I had an omelet and Mike had bacon and eggs. They were both delicious served with sour dough bread, our favourite, and the coffee was great.

We were visited by a couple of water dragons looking for a handout. By the size of their tummies I would guess that they are well taken care of.

The venue can’t be beaten, the service very friendly and prompt and excellent food. If you are driving through Balina, make the effort to stop. I am sure that you won’t be disappointed.

Shelly’s On The Beach
Shelly Beach Rd, Balina
Ph: 02 6686 9864

NSW - Emerald Beach Saltwater Cafe

Saltwater Cafe and Restaurant on the beach

Emerald Beach is a few kilometres north of Coffs and a very pretty little area. The day we were there, the southern end of the beach was full of rocks and not much sand. We had just had a week of huge seas so much of the sand may have been swept away. It will be interesting to see if it is any different in a few months.
We had been recommended this restaurant by a friend and we were so glad that we decided to go.
The restaurant is across the road from the beach and has been there for four years. It is very open, modern and you can look out to the beach from most of the tables. The service was very efficient and friendly.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I personally preferred the lunch menu, more than the dinner. The breakfast sounded great but as we were leaving the next day we were unable to try it, which was a shame.

The lunch menu had so much on it that Mike and I liked, we found it difficult to choose. We decided on two dishes and we would share.

“Tempura Prawns served with wasabi aioli and dipping sauce served with asian salad” $25.00

and

“Chicken Breast Saltimbocca, preserved lemon scented roasted vegetables and verjuice dressing” $22.00

Both meals were very tasty. The meals are not huge but definitely enough for lunch time. Mike and I shared a divine citrus tart with cream for desert.
It was Mikes’ birthday lunch so it was lovely to celebrate it at such a beautiful spot and have such a memorable meal.

104 Fiddaman Rd,Emerald Beach, NSW 2456
Ph: 02 6656 1888
www.saltwateronthebeach.com

NSW - Urunga - Anchors Wharf Cafe

While heading north on the Pacific Highway, The Anchors Wharf Cafe is at the waters edge on the right hand side of the bridge crossing the Kalang River at Urunga.
We always thought that it was just a take away shop, but boy, have we been enlightened! We stopped for lunch and wanted to come back for dinner and lunch the next day.
Even though it is beside a busy highway, I don’t recall hearing the traffic at all. It is so relaxing just watching the river. They also have a little gift shop.

My lunch was Sweet Chili Feta Green Prawns “ green prawns in a sweet chili and feta cream sauce served on rice”
$16.90 for the entre size and $28.90 for the main. The entre was a perfect size for me for lunch.
The combination of the flavours was amazing. The servings were very generous and very creatively presented.
A couple at another table ordered the seafood platter for two for $135.90. It was three levels high and a work of art. We were at the restaurant for over an hour and it seemed as though they had hardly made a dent in it even though they were steadily eating.I think it could easily feed about four people.
If you are passing by this area, stop in. I am sure that you won’t be disappointed.

4-6 Bellinger St, Urunga.
Ph: 02 6655 5588
www.anchorswharf.com.au

Three days after we ate there in March the area flooded and the entire lower level was under water as well as about a foot in the main area. The dock had been been washed away and the kitchen equipment was damaged. A day after the flood we drove to Urunga to check out the damage and offered to help them clean up but they said they had everything under control. We wish them well with the clean up and re-opening.