Patonga for lunch

Pearl Beach (near Patonga)

Bev had a arranged that we have lunch with her daughter in Gosford which is about an hour north of Pymble on the Central Coast.  It is an easy drive on the motorway.  We arrived a bit later than expected due to a bit of congestion (we think it was the school holiday traffic and it was a nice day).  

Her daughter suggested we go to a café in a place called Patonga which is a bay and part of a vast waterway where the Hawkesbury River exits to the coast.  It was a half hour drive there and when we arrived it seemed that much of Sydney must have been there as there was cars everywhere and we had diffcultly finding a park.  However, we finally found a place and then headed to the only eating establishment that had lots of seating with most of it outside.  Out of the sun it was quite cool and fortunately we were reasonably wrapped.  The food was good but very pricey.  Over here many places add 15% on a Sunday (I think they have to pay penal rates for working Sunday).  

Afterwards we went for a walk around the beach and it was very pretty with the famed golden sands of Australia.  I imagine on a warm or hot day there are hordes of people there cooling off in the water. 

On the way back we were taken to a lookout that gave us a great view over the area including looking toward Gosford.  

It was a nice way to end the day.  

Rock formations on Patonga Beach

Ettalong Beach and further afield is Gosford


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