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Christina and I have been visiting Port Stephens for years. It’s close enough to Sydney that it’s an easy two-and-a-half-hour drive, but it’s far enough away to really give the feeling of being away from everyone.

In fact it features as one of our top 9 easy Sydney getaways. Its white sandy beaches, friendly seaside towns, and a wealth of eateries and things to do make Port Stephens an easy decision for when you just want to escape the city for a bit.

We’ve broken our guide down into three digestible sections with our real favourites leading each list.

1. Where to eat

2. What to do

3. Where to stay

Essential Guide to Port Stephens

1. Where to eat

Chips & gravy at the Corlette Store, 27 Sandy Point Rd, Corlette

Not only a local secret but a local favourite as well, the chips and gravy from the Corlette Store are superb. These guys don’t have a website and keep irregular hours, but they’re worth a look if you’re hungry!

Grab your chips and go relax on the sand at nearby Bagnalls Beach.

John Dory’s Seafood – Stockton St, Nelson Bay

With our favourite chippy Sandbar closing on the marina, John Dory’s is an easy substitute – and perhaps even an improvement.

A little way into Nelson Bay town, it’s only a short walk back to the water with your takeaway so you can still sit at the marina and enjoy the view while you munch!

Murray’s Brewery – 3443 Nelson Bay Rd, Bobs Farm

On the way out of (or into!) Port Stephens is this craft brewery. The craft beer they make and serve here is excellent and the food is too. In fact their burger is one of my all-time favourites. A big statement.

This spot has been renovated and styled beautifully, and is the perfect spot for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

House Café in The Home Interior – 41 Donald Street, Nelson Bay

This café within a homewares store is incredibly yet unsurprisingly popular – especially at the weekend. But with the best coffee in town, it’s worth the wait. You can shop while you wait.

Seabreeze Hotel – 1 Stockton Street, Nelson Bay

The Seabreeze pub has the light, airy cheerfulness you’d expect in a seaside bistro. The food is on point and the service is professional. But if you want dinner – especially at the weekend – bookings are essential.

Port Stephens Game Fishing Club – 57 Shoal Bay Road, Shoal Bay

A little rough and ready, but with killer views out over the bay, The Game Fishing Club is actually a real diamond. If you want to feel like part of the community, you’ll get that here more than anywhere.

Just watch your timings for food; Salt Bistro’s kitchen fires 12pm-2pm for lunch and 6pm-8pm for dinner. No earlier, no later.

Crest Birubi Beach – 73 James Paterson Street, Anna Bay

Part of the Birubi Beach Surf Life Saving Club and open for breakfast and lunch 7 days a week, this is a café with the best views of the beach.

At the right time of year, you can even spot whales swimming by while you enjoy the excellent breakfasts they offer here.

A walk down on Birubi and Stockton Beaches, and a stroll through the incredible sand dunes post-feast is a must.

Red Ned’s Gourmet Pie Bar – Stockton Street, Nelson Bay

This little bakery has been going for years and boasts an impressive 50+ pie line-up. They offer everything from your classic chunky beef to more exotic options like smoked chicken and camembert.

It’s an easy place to spot – there’s a full-size mannequin of Ned Kelly out the front!

Fingal Bay Cafe and Takeaway – 4 Market St, Fingal Bay

Also turning out superb pastry goods is this little local cafe. The pies are outstanding and very reasonably priced, though not quite the extravagant range of Red Ned’s, and they also have a selection of very tempting sweets in the cabinet worth looking over.

Little Beach Boathouse – Little Beach Marina, 4 Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay

Right on the water, this lunch and dinner restaurant is perfect for a special occasion meal and something a bit more romantic than a lot of other places in Port Stephens. The downstairs bar area is a fave spot any time of day.

Holbert’s Oyster Farm – 52 Diemars Road, Salamander Bay

If you’re looking for real-world priced wine and beer to go with the best local prawns and oysters in the area (plus amazing views over the bay or into the shucking shed), this 5-generation family-run business is hard to beat.

The picnic tables are pretty basic, but you can take them away to eat at your leisure. Either way, you won’t taste a fresher oyster.

Inner Light Tea Rooms – 5a Lighthouse Road Nelson Bay

Being part of the Nelson Bay lighthouse means this little breakfast-and-lunch café has views to die for. Its simple menus will keep you going while you take in the vistas over the bay.

The Little Nel Cafe – 3-7 Government Rd, Nelson Bay

This cafe has a delicious menu and excellent coffee too. Grab an outdoor table for views down over Nelson Bay or take your cup of joe down to the waterfront and enjoy the gently lapping waters of the marina close up.

Two Brothers Indian Restaurant – Unit 2/30 Donald St, Nelson Bay

A trend I’m thrilled to have noticed recently is the proliferation of awesome Indian restaurants in larger regional towns around NSW. Beyond the usual bain marie takeaway joints, these full-service restaurants are making curries that rival the best of London, Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham back in the UK.

Two Brothers is right up there and does all the fan faves from scintillatingly hot vindaloos to calm kormas, as well as a few lesser known dishes.

This restaurant doesn’t have an alcohol licence, so you’ll have to BYO, but as far as we could tell they don’t charge corkage here!

2. What to do

Cycle or walk the cycle track

From Nelson Bay to Corlette is a track that dips and winds through bushland and beaches. It’s the perfect way to work up an appetite and to see the sights on offer from this beautiful peninsular.

Just so you know, Bagnalls Beach, which is in front of Corlette, is a real rarity. It’s an all-year-round off-leash dog beach.

Soldier crabs at sunset

An amazing natural event every evening as the sun goes down sees thousands of soldier crabs – about the size of a ping pong ball – march in huge regiments across the hard sand at beaches all round Port Stephens.

These harmless crustaceans make for awesome photo opportunities as the sun dips below the horizon.

Snorkelling in the marine reserve – Little Nelson Bay

Off the beach at Fly Point Park are two dive sites – Seahorse Gardens and Fly Point. Fly Point is more protected, so snorkelling is easier here. Lots of fish and even turtles swim this section of the reserve.

Quad biking over the dunes with Quad Bike King

We did this a little while ago with a Red Balloon gift voucher from my parents and it was so much fun. The crew train you on handling the quad bikes then take you on a trail through the magnificent sand dunes of Anna Bay and Stockton Beach.

At the right time of year, you can even double up with whale watching as you hurtle around the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the southern hemisphere!

Hike up headland and Mt Tomaree

The highest point in the area, Mount Tomaree was used as a lookout post and gun placement in WWII. You can still find vestiges of the military base here, and the views out from the top are breathtaking. It’s a pretty good hike too!

We’ve also heard tell of another walk that goes round the bottom of the mountain along the coast. We haven’t done this, but it’s supposed to be very pretty – not to mention a flat walk, which is a bonus.

Get a round in at the Nelson Bay Golf Club

You’re spoilt for choice at this enormous 27-hole course and enjoy the spectators as they hop around the course with you – there are so many kangaroos here!

The 19th – or should that be 28th – hole is a pleasure too. Food served here is excellent and views out over the course from the clubhouse make for a perfect lunch venue while you’re in town. In fact, even if you’re not into golf, this is a great lunch option.

SUP

Becoming evermore popular, SUP or – Stand Up Paddle-boarding – is perfect for the (usually) calm conditions and warmer waters of the bay.

The guys who operate Port Stephens Paddle Sports are friendly and accommodating. Give them a call and organise when you want to give it a go. Highly recommended!

Safe surf beaches

If surfing and a big wave is more your thing, One Mile Beach and Fingal Beach are both patrolled and save. They’re also both beautiful beaches well worth checking out even if you don’t fancy a dip.

Dolphin and whale watching

Incredibly popular from Port Stephens, the dolphin spotting cruises happen all year round. Humpback whales do a return-trip migration every year, going north in the winter and back south in the summer months.

There are so many companies to choose from. Our advice: go with the smallest boat possible and one with an open deck.

Sand dunes between Anna Bay and Stockton

If you’ve driven in from Sydney, you’ll have seen the sand dunes on your right on the road in. These sand dunes are part of the Woromi Conservation Lands and are the largest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere.

There are lots of things you can do on the dunes, from 4×4 tours to sand boarding – or just pretending your Laurence of Arabia!

Saturday markets around Port Stephens

There are a variety of markets on every Saturday (and some Sundays) in the Port Stephens area. From Food to craft, there’s always something on at the weekend. Check the schedule in the link above to find out more.

Irukandji, Shark and Ray Encounters – 686 Marsh Rd, Bobs Farm

This entirely interactive experience is run by a young couple with conservation and education at the heart of what they do. Far from your average aquarium, this family-focused marine centre is all about showing people what the creatures of the blue are really like and to help us understand the impact we’re having on their environment.

Port Stephens ferry service – leaves from Victoria Parade Public Jetty Wharf

Catch a ferry to Tea Gardens to check out what’s going on across the bay. The service also does lunch cruises and dolphin cruises too. Just so you know, high winds and poor weather can cause cancelations to the service. Check the website for up-to-date times.

Everything else

There’s so much to do here in Port Stephens – cinemas, shopping, diving, kayaking, jetskiing, fishing… the list goes on and on. More information is here in the local tourism guide.

3. Where to stay

Sea Urchin, Corlette – Sandy Point Road

There are literally hundreds of places to stay in Port Stephens, but whenever we go, we’re looking for homely comfort, space and a local feel. That’s why we always go for this cute holiday rental.

It’s on Sandy Point Road, so all you have to do is cross the street and you’re in the water. It’s perfect. Plus it’s just down the road from the Corlette Store and their legendary chips and gravy!

You’re also on the bus route in and out of Nelson Bay – and Sydney for that matter – and the track that takes you all the way to the marina starts here too. If you’ve got a boat, there’s a boat ramp at the end of the street too.

Bannisters Port Stephens – Soldiers Point Rd, Soldiers Point

The third property in the Bannisters empire, this Port Stephens venue is just as good – if not better – than the other two down in Mollymook.

It’s no accident that this place is equidistant from Sydney either – and the Rick Stein restaurant here puts the fresh local seafood and produce to good use.

We haven’t had a chance to stay at this Bannisters yet, but if it’s anywhere near as good as the original – you can see our full review here – it’s the best place to stay on the peninsula.

The Anchorage and Marina – Corlette

Also in Corlette, the Anchorage is luxurious living and perfect if you have your own boat. The restaurant here is said to be extremely good too.

Amarna Resort at Dutchies Beach

Boutique and very private, this small resort whispers romance. From its infinity pool overlooking the beach to its beautifully decked out serviced apartments, this 5 star accommodation shows the best of what Port Stephens has to offer.

Port Stephens really does have so much to offer. This pretty peninsular epitomises the Australian lifestyle people think we all have! But in spite of its ideal setting, it somehow gets overlooked as a destination.

I say, let’s take advantage of that while word’s still not quite out!

Have you ever been to Port Stephens? What’s your favourite thing about it? Are there any unsung hero destinations near where you live? Tell us everything in the comments below!

The post Our essential guide to Port Stephens – the hidden gem on the NSW coast appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Christina and I love a road trip. We love Sydney too, but thankfully the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. There are a host of destinations just up the road from the Harbour City that lure us out of our day-to-day regularly.

So if you’re looking for somewhere to get away from the busy life of Australia’s biggest city, or if you just want to see a bit more of New South Wales, here are our top tips that won’t take you a lifetime to get to.

9 easy Sydney weekend getaways

1. Bundeena: beaches, national parks and plenty of space

55km – 1hr 20min from Sydney

Credit: Andrew Beeston

This little-known gem of Sydney’s south is a must if you’re in Sydney for the summer. The drive there is beautiful through the Royal National Park. Or you can catch the ferry from Cronulla.

This is a very chilled out little tucked-away town. The little string of shops and cafes has all you need to stock up for a weekend away.

There are two beaches in Bundeena. Visitors all head to Main Beach near the town, but score a spot round the corner on Jibbons Beach and you’ll be in with the locals. Alternatively, there are surf beaches further round, amazing bushwalks and some fascinating indigenous art close by.

Credit: Ken K

2. Pearl Beach: beach life and peace

90km – 1hr 30min from Sydney

Credit: Peter Gawthrop

Secreted away at the southern end of the Central Coast, Pearl Beach is another great beach suburb that not many know about.

There are lots of BnBs here, a few beachfront shops – one of which turns out pretty good coffee, and then of course there’s Pearls on the Beach. If you’re after a romantic dinner somewhere nice, this is the place.

Here’s what we’ve said about Pearls on the Beach previously.

Credit: Peter Gawthrop

3. Blue Mountains: altitude without attitude.

115km – 1hr 40min from Sydney

Heading west of Sydney, the famous Blue Mountains has so much to offer it’s hard to know where to start.

This is Sydney’s own little bit of the Great Dividing Range that runs all the way down the east coast of Australia.

There’s so much to do in this region – whether it’s a winter retreat to the pretty town of Leura, checking out Katoomba and exploring the secrets to the towns beyond, fine dining with a view at Echoes or getting out and about for views out over the valleys.

Our top tip for places to stay would be Parklands Mountain Retreat.

4. Kangaroo Valley: get back to nature

155km – 2hrs 20min from Sydney

This was the destination of one of our very first road trips together. Only a couple of hours south of Sydney, Kangaroo Valley feels like you’re a lot further from the big smoke.

You are indeed in a valley though there are more wombats and wallabies here than kangaroos. We did spot an echidna here too.

The river that runs through the valley (Kangaroo River in fact) feeds the trees and plants to make this a beautiful green oasis in country New South Wales. The little town here is very quaint – the pub and the pies are worth it on their own.

You’re also not far from some of New South Wales’ most beautiful beaches.

5. Hunter Valley: wine for the win

160km – 2 hours from Sydney

New South Wales’ premier wine region, the Hunter – northwest of Sydney – is full of great family-run wineries worth visiting. Our favourite is Scarborough Wines for their excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – and their hospitality of course!

The Scarboroughs also gave us some great tips for other wineries typical to the Hunter.

There are some excellent places to stay in this stunning part of the country. We really enjoyed our time at Spicers Vineyards Estate Hotel in Pokolbin, but for a beautiful private cottage escape, check out our review and video walkthrough of Aldora Cottage also in Pokolbin.

As for dinner, Restaurant Botanica is excellent, but Esca – part of Bimbadgen winery’s cellar door experience – is amazing!

If you want to know more about what you can do in the Hunter Valley, check out our Ultimate Hunter Valley Experience!

6. Hyams Beach: the whitest sand in the world

190km – 3 hours from Sydney

Part of the Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach is famous for having the whitest sand in the world. It’s even in the Guinness Book of Records!

This little seaside village is the perfect spot to get away from it all. The snorkelling and fishing here are excellent, and there are plenty of places to stay.

As for food, there aren’t too many places in Hyams Beach apart from the store and café, but Jervis Bay just round the corner has everything from fish and chips and pubs to restaurants and bistros.

But a quick drive south will have you in Mollymook. There you’ll find the famed Rick Stein’s at Bannisters, as well as hosts of dining options in Milton and surrounding towns.

7. Port Stephens: relaxing beach town.

210km – 2hrs 30min from Sydney

We’ve been going to Port Stephens for a long time and we still love it. Adjacent to the Hunter Valley and Newcastle, this coastal community is home to some great little local secrets.

The marina at Nelson Bay is the big draw card with lots of places to eat and drink at, and also the whale and dolphin watching cruises go from here. There’s also Bannisters Port Stephens, which offers good food and drink right near the marina.

We also love going a bit further round the bay to Corlette. Here the beaches are usually quieter and Bagnalls Beach is one of the very few off-leash dog-friendly beaches.

There’s also the deliciously sinful chips and gravy at the Corlette Store! A bit further out, there’s the Murray’s Brewery for ace beer and a superb burger.

Check out our other stories and guides to Port Stephens here.

8. Orange: country town with all the food!

255km – 3hrs 40min from Sydney

Ever since our friend moved to Orange, west of Sydney and the Blue Mountains, we like to visit this growing country town as much as possible.

There are a few places to stay here – especially on AirBnB or Stayz – but a real hatful of places to eat at. Check out our essential guide to Orange and our Whirlwind Guide to Orange for more details.

And if you want somewhere really different, we absolutely loved our Sunday brunch at the Old Convent.

As for bars, we can’t recommend Percy’s Bar & Kitchen enough, and the Union Bank Wine Bar is a local institution.

Best of all, there are some excellent wineries in Orange. Here are our top 7.

9. Mudgee: the friendliest place on earth

270km – 3hrs 45min from Sydney

Mudgee is one of those towns – about 90km north of Orange – that makes you wonder why everyone’s so nice. I started getting quite suspicious while we were there because everyone was just so bloody friendly.

Perhaps it’s because of Mudgee’s amazing food and wine, and some of the most beautiful Australian landscapes you’ll find.

We stayed at the Mudgee Homestead while we were there, and it was absolutely stunning. If you want to see kangaroos, this place has them on its front lawn! Here’s more about the Homestead.

For food and drink, the Pipeclay Pumphouse is your dinner plans and your lunch has to be at the Zin House.

And if it’s wine you’re after, Mudgee is right on point. Here are 3 Mudgee cellar doors you’ll love.

With so many places outside the city to visit, it’s amazing we spend any time in Sydney at all!

Do you have a favourite getaway outside Sydney? Where do you go to escape from it all? Tell us in the comments!

The post 9 easy Sydney weekend getaways for a romantic escape appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

You know, being in the travel industry in any shape or form really isn’t a lot of fun at the moment. 

Of course, being in Sydney is a better place to be (for now) than many other places in the world with regards to Covid outbreaks, closed borders, travel bans and outright lockdown, but it still sucks.

But this is all obvious stuff, isn’t it?

Stuff we’ve all been going through for months now. What has made things easier is the wealth of companies that have taken the experiential side of their business and put it online.

Apart from being able to travel back to Port Stephens – our home from home – this past week, we’ve been enjoying some online masterclasses… and even running a few of our own.

We hope you enjoy this latest Edition and that you’re staying safe and well.

Cheers – Jim & Christina xx

Because you follow us on Instagram (you do, right?), you’ll have seen our unboxing of a new masterclass by the amazing Nip of Courage team, who are champions of all things distilled in Australia.

If you missed it, you can still watch our IGTV vid here.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jim & Christina Butcher (@mrandmrsromance) on Jul 17, 2020 at 2:21am PDT

The masterclass – celebrating Rye July – featured four of Belgrave Distillery’s rye whiskies crafted by distiller, farmer and recycling oddball genius Peter Bignell.

Keep an eye open for more exciting online masterclasses from Nip of Courage over the next few months. They’re incredibly well put together, entertaining and informative, and the spirits they showcase are truly superb.

Tonight, I’ve ventured out into the wide world for a few beers and dinner with a couple of mates. Socially distancing of course!

Our first stop is to an old favourite – Young Henrys Brewery in Newtown. Their beer is iconic and their ‘cellar door’ is a lot of fun, and the best part about the Covid-safe rules (if there is a best part) is the hand sanitiser here is made with the botanicals Young Henrys use in their Noble Cut gin!

After a couple of brews, we head to dinner up the road – a Turkish place called Stanbuli. The food here is great, with delicious dips, flatbreads and kebab chicken, gozleme, and even a Turkish take on a cheese burger, which isn’t half bad.

We also give the Turkish beer a go here, but it’s not great unfortunately. In spite of a cool label and lovely colour, the Eikkimm IPA doesn’t win me over.

Otherwise, I highly recommend Stanbuli. Great service and interesting, delicious food.

Today, we’re making the most of still being allowed to travel a bit, Christina and I are heading north back to Port Stephens. Christina’s sister has a little holiday house there that we’re putting to good use.

We were only there last month, but it’s so pretty on the coast we can’t get enough!

As is tradition, as soon as we arrive, we head to the beach. This is Bagnalls Beach in Corlette not far from Nelson Bay. It’s rarely crowded – even in the summer. And during winter, it’s mostly dog-walkers we see here.

The only ones to keep us company this evening though are a couple of pelicans and a little pod of dolphins. It’s amazing that somewhere like this is only two hours from Sydney.

It’s cold out though, so once we take in the scenery for a while, we hurry back inside and get the fire started.

For more stories on Port Stephens, check out more of our stories on this beautiful part of New South Wales here.

We’ve also written an essential guide to Port Stephens to show you some of the best bits.

Our little house in Port Stephens is the perfect spot to cosy-up and enjoy a glass or two of good red wine. And while we’re here, we’ve decided to do a quick online wine tasting.

You can read the full notes and story on these three Aussie beauties here, or check out our IGTV video of the tasting here.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jim & Christina Butcher (@mrandmrsromance) on Jul 23, 2020 at 4:18am PDT

It would be rude not to put these excellent wines to good use after our tasting, so Christina has put together one of her legendary platters.

I don’t know how she makes things that are already delicious enough on their own look and taste even better on a flat board!

Check out Christina’s tips for the perfect platter here.

This afternoon, we’ve driven out to Newcastle, the nearest big town/city to Port Stephens. Newcastle is underrated as a destination, more known for its port and coal refining plants. 

But there are stunning coastal walks around here (the Great North Walk actually starts (or ends) here) and the Mereweather Ocean Pool is an interesting historic part of this striking scenery.

The tides are riding high today, and after some hectic weather, the pool – in a giddy irony – is somehow too full of water.

Not that it matters much to us. If you think I’m even putting a toe in that chilly water, you’ve got some disappointments ahead of you. There are some still ‘enjoying’ a dip today. And they’re doing it on purpose, which confounds me.

Instead, we opt for a warmer, indoor option. 

FogHorn Brewhouse on King Street was the first craft brewery for Newcastle. Their beers go straight from the tanks to the taps, and their west coast IPA is a new favourite of mine.  

As for their food, FogHorn’s burgers are right up there with the best of them. Christina’s cheeseburger is tender, juicy and packed with flavour.

My Nashville chicken burger – brushed with butter – is excellent too, though the promise of spice never really eventuates. 

Either way, we waddle out of the FogHorn feeling very satisfied.

Today, we’re exploring a part of Port Stephens we’ve never been to before, which is surprising. Christina and I have been coming here since about 2005 – even longer for her family. 

But the Tilligerry Habitat at Lemon Tree Passage is wholly new to us. 

This beautifully decked walkway leads you through some impressive landscapes, and in spite of its size (it’s only about 22 acres) Tilligerry has everything from gum forests and heath to beaches, mangroves and wetlands.

Birdlife here is the main focus, with an amazing range of species to spot, but there are also koalas in the area. Not that we see any!

The boardwalk is beautifully maintained and perfect for less able-bodied people or wheelchair users. We’re still astonished that we haven’t been here before.

We make our way to the water’s edge and once again marvel at the clearness of the sea here. This is Billys Beach (I think) or maybe Secret Beach, but either way it’s beautiful.

After our stroll, we feel the need for food, and make our way to the Lemon Tree Cafe in Lemon Tree Passage proper. We were expecting a sandwich or something like that, but instead it seems savoury crepes are the go here.

Christina’s chicken, mushroom and cheese crepe is excellent, as is my cheese, chicken and avocado one. Delicious!

The owners at the Lemon Tree Cafe are clearly animal lovers (check out the dog gallery on their Facebook page) and make sure there’s plenty to eat for the local bird population too.

This cute little Willie Wagtail is having a ball in the pot of mealworms that’s here for him.

From the cafe, there’s a little walk you can take along the beachside too, that’s well worth it. Views out across the water at Bulls Island and the rest of the peninsula are stunning.

But sadly and all too soon, our time in Port Stephens is coming to an end.

Before we head back to the city, we have one more stop to make in the Hunter Valley.

You may remember we recently visited the Sydney Brewery in Surry Hills – a fascinating story of a brewery that really epitomises the brewing industry in the city.

While we were in Surry Hills, we met the head cidermaster of the brewery – Nathan Hervey, who has invited us too check out Sydney Brewery’s ‘HQ’ in Lovedale.

Our first stop is at the distillery. That’s right, Sydney Brewery is also making whisky. It’s not available yet, but it’s not far off. 

Head distiller Aaron is good enough to let us try a little from Barrel 50 and I tell you what, if the rest is as good as this cask strength (around 65%), the world is in for a treat!

As you can see, Sydney Brewery – or should I say Spirit of Sydney – has been making spirits since 2013, but they’re still perfecting and ageing their whisky. 

I’m really looking forward to seeing the final product.

From the distillery, which you can actually see from the restaurant here at Lovedale, we head to the brewery, where Nathan shows us where and how they make all the beer.

It’s an impressive setup – perhaps the most impressive craft brewery I’ve seen. 

And finally, Nathan takes us to his corner of the world, his nirvana, his home.

This cluster of five steel tanks is where Sydney Brewery’s cider gets going.

Nathan taps a little of the fresh apple juice for us to taste and it explains a lot of why his ciders are so good. 

But Nathan is truly a master of his trade and shows it with the remarkable flavours and blends he has created. Even if you’re not much of a cider drinker, you’ll love what he’s making.

From the traditional cider – aka Sydney Cider – that’s clean, dry and balanced to the Oaked Organic Cider that’s complex, floral and moreish, and the intelligent, dry and well-balanced Manly Perry, which is made from 100% pear juice, there’s a drink here for you.

Alternatively, Nathan has also created a set of other flavours that compliment and ride the apple and pear bases he makes. The Agave Ginger Cider is a rare concoction indeed, but not as sweet as it sounds. It’s subtle, refreshing and beautifully balanced. 

Nathan’s mango and pineapple ciders are also ones to look out for, and the limited-edition collaboration with Oscar.697 bianco vermouth produces a cider that’s quite exceptional. 

Gone are the days of sneaky underage ciders in the park that leave you feeling sugared out and rotten. These are true craft entities to be savoured, cherished and enjoyed.

We leave you this week with a picture that brings me great joy. I hope you’ll indulge me for a moment.

I’ve recently stocked up my stash – with Christina’s blessing – with some superb cigars.

The new additions are some Partagas D4s (top right), Partagas Mille Fleurs (bottom right), Montecristo Edmundo Minis (bottom left) and Vagueros Mañanitas, which I’ve never had before but am very impressed with.

You can also see the remnants of the old guard in the centre – two Montecristo No4s and a Tubos, which featured in my recent story about cigar labels and their history, and under them is a Montecristo Double Edmundo. 

The two monsters on the right are Partagas Lusitanias – one of the longest vitolas at over 19cm and truly superb cigars…

To paraphrase the immortal words of Roy Schneider – we’re gonna need a bigger box.

The post Whisky, wine, cider and beer, and a home away from home appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

I think it’s safe to say we’re all jonesing to get away on a trip asap. I know that Christina and I are feeling the tug of the open road more than usual.

This time of year we’re usually hiding  from winter’s chilly gaze in Europe, the States or Asia… sometimes all three! Of course, that’s not possible at the moment.

What is possible though is the chance to head intrastate and explore more of New South Wales. 

We decided that our first trip beyond our own neighbourhood and the first night we haven’t spent in our own beds in a long time should be somewhere we’re comfortable with. Somewhere we’ve been before.

So we’ve headed back to Port Stephens – some two and a half hours north of Sydney.

Christina’s sister has a holiday house there and we’re excited to be back in this much unsung beauty spot on the NSW coast. We’ve written quite a bit about this seaside sanctuary.

Here’s a link to more of our stories about Port Stephens and also our essential guide to Port Stephens too.

We’re also looking forward to hanging out with our mate Anton, who’ll be joining us midway through our stay.

We hope you enjoy this Edition and that it inspires you to (safely) get out and about again.

Cheers – Jim & Christina xx

The first thing we always do when we get to our place in Port Stephens is go straight to the beach. Most of the time, we’re welcomed by a warm breeze, perhaps a stunning sunset… not this time.

Storm’s a-coming.

After our quick peep at the beach, we bunker down to a well-stocked woodpile and a warm dinner.

It’s a strange thing to feel so at home when we’ve been stuck in our actual home for so long.

This morning, the sky has brightened and the rain has gone. It’s still cold though. We’ve packed our swimming gear, but I doubt if I’ll be going for a dunk this break. Even if I were coated in lard like those crazy people who swim the English Channel.

Thankfully the beautiful views keep us warm enough though. 

We’ve decided to try the local golf club out for lunch. Nelson Bay Golf Club has had a big renovation since we were last here and what a difference!

This is a huge 27-hole course and while you chip onto the green, you’re often kept company by mobs of kangaroos. 

But today, we’re just here for the views and the food.

We’re really impressed with the food. Last time we were here, it was more like an RSL club and not a very good one. But the food now is excellent. 

Christina’s sweetcorn fritters with smoked salmon and avocado looks and tastes delicious.

As for my dukkah crusted salmon served on a corn fritter is amazing. The spicy eggplant relish on top really makes this dish.

We’re both suitably impressed. Time to update our Essential Travel Guide to Port Stephens I think!

That’s more like it. The sun’s doing its best to impress now – lighting up the coastline and sparkling off the gently lapping waters.

On her sunrise walk, Christina meets this elegant gent. He’s on the rocks that line the coastal pathway and she has to get pretty close to him to pass by. 

He doesn’t seem to mind though. 

I bet it’s a different story when he’s at the cleaning table next to the boat ramp up the road. I’ve had fish snatched from my hands by these gulping monsters. They’re not a lot of fun and take no prisoners!

Sometimes it feels like we’re back in SoCal when the sky’s this blue and the palms are this tall. 

Though in reality, I do wonder how long it will be before we can safely travel back to the States. Hopefully not too long.

This evening, Christina and I are braving the cold to do what we often enjoy back at home: a backgammon competition, a few glasses of wine and some snacks.

Tonight, Christina absolutely steamrollers me. Usually it’s a bit more even, but perhaps the sea air has given her new powers… 

I’m also quietly distracted by this simply superb cigar. Not that I’m making any excuses. Chris broke me fair and square.

But this Partagas Serie E No. 2 is exquisite. I bought this in Belgium last year when we were in Bruges. Wish we lived closer.

Tonight the sunset is incredible. Gold filigree lines edge the horizon’s clouds and the burnished shores play with fire as the waves break and wash the flames away.

At last my buddy Anton arrives. We’ve been mates for over 15 years and it’s always great to hang out with him.

It’s Anton’s first time to Port Stephens and we’re looking forward to showing him around.

We’re taking the bush track that leads from Corlette round to Nelson Bay. It’s a pretty walk and only takes around 35 minutes to get to the marina.

Along the way we keep our eyes peeled for koalas, but also a huge amount of birdlife. White bellied sea eagles and osprey roam these skies. And everything else from tawny frogmouths to sooty oystercatchers perch, flit or soar here.

We climb to the top of the low headland and look back at Bagnalls Beach. This long thin stretch of sand is one of the few off-leash dog beaches in NSW – another reason we love coming here.

Apart from that, it’s absolutely beautiful I think you’ll agree.

We make it to Nelson Bay marina where the water is so clear we can see the fish swimming below.

But we’re after some lunch. The chip shop that used to be here is sadly closed, but John Dory’s further into Nelson Bay is said to be very good.

Instead, we opt for a couple of beers at the pub and a pie from the most remarkable bakery you’ll find. 

Red Ned’s Gourmet Pie Bar has over 50 different pies to choose from. Talk about kid in a candy store! My smoked chicken and camembert pie is off the charts. 

We also stop in at The Little Nel Cafe for a quick coffee. Definitely the spot to come for decent joe.

Port Stephens, you’ve done it again. Another ridiculous sunset. But we can’t stop too long – the sun might look bright, but the winter wind’s still got a bite. 

Back inside to get the fire started.

Today, we’re on the other side of the peninsula at Boat Harbour. 

This time of year is perfect for spotting migrating whales here as they head north for warmer waters. Before we get to the rocks around Boat Harbour’s stony shore, we meet this little angel. But the wind’s too cold for her and she tries to use me as a wind break. 

We both win though – she gets some shelter and I get a pat. 

It’s worth the chills from the roaring wind – there are so many whales today (I think you can just see a puff from a blowhole between me and Anton) it’s like humpback soup out there. Gazpacho of course. The water is freezing.

It’s time for lunch and we head back inland. Murray’s Brewery has changed a lot since we were here last. But thankfully their beer is just as good as ever.

If beer’s not your disco, Murray’s also does a mean wine tasting. This area is still within the Hunter Region, so the vino from the vines here is very good. 

The cellar door here is a lot of fun and has been beautifully styled. When we were here last, it was a small room with just one place to buy beer, food and merch. Now it’s the whole experience.

Talking of food, I’m excited to be revisiting this bad boy. The original burger from Murray’s actually managed to convert me to being pro-beetroot on a burger. 

It also landed a spot on our top 10 burgers list.

Murray’s new Fred Man burger no longer has the beetroot component and there seems to be less sauce, but it’s still a hell of a burger!

Really love the new look to the brewery. I’m looking forward to coming back here again as often as possible!

This evening, we’ve got a bit of a pre-dinner treat planned. Round the corner from where we’re staying is Holberts Oyster Farm, where you can buy freshly shucked oysters, beautiful prawns and a whole range of seafood.

The oysters here are excellent – creamy, salty, plump – perfect for sunset and a glass of bubbles.

Not a bad way to spend our last night in Port Stephens…

And not a bad sunset either.

This morning, we’ve come across the peninsula again to Anna Bay. Breakfast at Crest Birubi Beach is a good idea at any time of the year, but with the whales migrating at the moment, it brings a whole extra bonus to this view and the excellent food.

I don’t think there are many places on earth where you can enjoy bacon and eggs while you watch humpbacks play in the waves below.

Before we all hit the road back to Sydney, we take a quick walk on the sand. This is Birubi Beach, which then becomes Stockton Beach further up.

There you can drive your car (providing it has four-wheel-drive capabilities) onto the beach, which is pretty cool. 

Behind the beach, the sand becomes mountains as the Stockton Sand Dunes begin. These sand dunes are part of the Woromi Conservation Lands and are the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. 

On the dunes you can explore on foot or on camel, you can sand board, and of course drive.

There are also horseback expeditions on the dunes that end with a ride in the surf. I know that Christina’s eager to try this, but for now, the only ride we’ll be having is back home. 

Next time, Chris.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this little taste of travel. We’ve been very impressed with how all the venues and locations in Port Stephens have been careful to observe social distancing guidelines and signing in at the door. 

It’s more important now than ever to be careful so that we can all carry on travelling and stay healthy.

Hope your next trip is soon and that we’ve helped a bit to inspire you to travel.

Cheers – Jim & Christina xx

The post Our first taste of travel after Covid lockdown appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Happy New Year – and happy new decade too! It’s still sinking in that it’s finally 2020, a year that felt as much like a sci-fi date as 2000 did in the ’90s if that makes any sense. 

For a bit more perspective – as if we need any more of that – a friend sent me a meme the other day that simply “2050 is as far away as 1990.”

Did you just throw up in your mouth a bit too? 

Anyway, as my dad likes to say, we’re here now, so let’s make the most of it. 2020, here we are. 

And with a wonderfully chilled-out Christmas and a low-key NYE, Christina and I feel like we’re ready to face the start of this new year.

We hope you enjoy this Weekly Edition and once again, happy new year everyone.

Jim & Christina xx

With all the travel we’ve done recently (check out the stats in our intro to our Best of 2019 post for the stats), we’re happy to be sticking relatively close to home – somewhere we feel like we can really relax without the strange pressures travel writers feel whenever they go anywhere.

Port Stephens – about three hours north of Sydney – has been a family favourite for years now. Christina’s sister has a holiday home up here and we’re all putting our feet up to  enjoy the peace and quiet of this pretty seaside town.

Here’s a link to our library of stories on Port Stephens and also our Essential Guide to Port Stephens too.

How’s this for Christmassy? From the tiny tree and dodgy Santa napkins to the ham, the prawns and the bottle of bubbly. This is the way to do it!

And after we’re full of prawns and ham (as if that’s going to happen!) I bring out my signature macadamia shortbread cookies. These are a hit every time I make them – we even did a trade with our neighbours last year.

A pile of these bad boys in exchange for the most incredible rocky road we’ve ever had. Here’s the recipe of for the rocky road by the way – it’s actually our most popular story of 2019!

To balance it out a bit, there’s also this delicious fruit platter. I hadn’t realised how well strawberries and passionfruit go together before. 

For something a bit different, today we’re in Newcastle – only about 30 minutes from Port Stephens. 

This town used to be quite industrial without that much to offer, but these days it’s a real hub for tourism. This view of the stunning waters around Newcastle is from a section of the Memorial Walk dedicated to the Anzacs. 

Running from the Strzelecki Lookout (where you can park), the Memorial walk follows the high coastline until it connects to the Yuelarbah Track that carries on down to Merryweather Beach and beyond.

In fact, this is part of the Great North Walk, which goes 250km from Newcastle all the way down to Sydney.

After all that ham, we could probably do with a walk like that. Instead, we head further into Newcastle for a pint and a spot of lunch!

We’re at The Grain Store Craft Beer Cafe in Newcastle’s Historic East End. Originally the grain and keg storage for Toohey’s in the 1800s, the space is now a fun, spacious taproom featuring one of the largest selections of true craft beers in the country. 

All beers they serve here are from independent Aussie owned breweries and the range they have on the 21 pumps is impressive – makes me want to move to Newcastle!

The layout and decor of the Grain Store gives it a beautiful open feel with art deco style and an almost English pub-iness I love.

However, the sport on screens around the place and booth tables with inlayed game boards (you can borrow counters from the dispenser) give the Grain Store an American bar feel too. It’s a cool mix.

The food here is at the Grain Store is great too. Christina has gone for an American Burger, which looks excellent, while our brother-in-law is enjoying a Classic Cheeseburger. Both options would be winners…

if I hadn’t ordered the Whoopass Burger. The holy trinity of bacon, onion rings and jalapeños in this monster – along with a juicy burger patty, American cheddar and smoky barbecue sauce take the trophy.

Christina’s sister has pushed the limits and gone for the house supreme pizza. It’s got everything! Chicken, chorizo, pepperoni, baby spinach, Spanish onion, mushrooms, capsicum and a chipotle aioli topping! We take most of it home in a box.

The real winner though is Christina’s mum’s warm beetroot salad! As innocuous as it sounds, it’s actually big enough to feature on Seinfeld and comes with a remarkable amount of cashews. 

Very impressed.

Our brother-in-law has a boat too, so we’re out on the water today to see if we can catch some dinner. The water in the marina off the boat ramp is still, but further round in our favourite fishing spots, the wind is kicking up and making things… interesting.

By the end of our bait, we’ve pulled in at least a dozen good-sized whiting, a bream and a beautiful flathead.

At the cleaning station, we’re hemmed in by greedy pelicans and sharp-eyed gulls. One pelican even manages to sneak a beautiful sand whiting from under our noses. After that we’re more on guard. 

While we were out yesterday, we set a few crab traps too. At the end of the day we checked them to no avail (though there was one pot with two big sharks in – a Port Jackson and a splendid looking Leopard that we returned to the deep). 

This morning though, our brother-in-law checked the pots again (and removed yet another shark!) and came back with this lovely blue swimmer crab. 

Worryingly, this guy has managed to grab a knife when we put him in the sink to calm down. Crabs these days…

We’re impressed to see that Nelson Bay – the flagship tourist spot of Port Stephens – has really tried to up its game recently. Street art and beautiful homewares shops with good coffee and interesting menus are showing up here. 

Looks like the hipsters are moving in!

This Christmas, we’re also accompanied by this little treasure. Raven – our nephew’s dog – is growing up to be such a lovely natured little girl. 

Still, it’s hard to believe she’s the same dog we met just a couple of years ago. Here’s her first feature on MMR – scroll down about half way.

One of the best things about this part of Port Stephens is the dog-friendly beach. Even in the height of summer, dogs are allowed to enjoy the sand and surf on their toes too. 

It really makes for a lovely Christmas to be able to bring Raven down to the water’s edge and watch her play.

The stark light of the sun through the smoke haze though reminds us that not all is well with the world. The bushfires, which has mercifully stayed away from Port Stephens, have really made Christmas this year one to remember – for so many of the wrong reasons.

As we get back to Sydney just after Christmas, things are looking even worse. The bushfire smoke is even worse here. The areas surrounding the city are suffering terribly, and further south, people are being evacuated from their homes and forced to survive on the beach.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone effected by this devastating situation. 

And here we are. Happy 2020!

Christina and I are having a pretty quiet evening this year – just the two of us, some good food and a bottle of 15-year-old vintage Lanson Champagne.

We’ve been saving this bottle for a special occasion – I think the turn of the decade is good enough, don’t you? 

We sip this fascinating and surprisingly complex bubbly and wait for the decision of whether the fireworks will happen or not to be made. It’s a tough call, but either way, we’ve decided not to feature them this year.

It feels a bit bad taste to celebrate like that when so many so close to us are suffering because of fire.

This afternoon, we’re at the tennis! The ATP Cup – a tournament between 24 countries played out in  Brisbane, Melbourne and here in Sydney – goes from 3rd January – 12 January 2020. 

We’re here with Marriott Bonvoy – Marriott’s travel programme – one of the major sponsors for the ATP Cup.

Marriott Bonvoy members can use points earned to get access to special VIP lounges for the APT Cup. Lounge access gives you all kinds of good stuff like food and drink, and the best seats in the house:

Can’t really complain about this view! Now let’s see how Great Britain go against Bulgaria.*

GB lost 2-1. They won the first singles match, but lost the second and the doubles. Australia won though – smashed Germany 3-0.

As well as the tennis, the APT Cup here in Sydney has some pretty amazing catering and entertaining deals. We’re excited about the sport, but the food coming out of famed Rockpool Bar and Grill’s kitchen is very distracting!

The food is absolutely stunning – and more than makes up for Britain’s tennis. 

You can book entertainment packages for the APT Cup here for everything including the final.

Cheers to Marriott Bonvoy – this is definitely the way we want to watch the tennis from now on! 

Check out the APT Cup website for tickets in your nearest city. The final will be in Sydney on 12 Jan 2020.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the first Weekly Edition of the year. Wishing you and yours the best start to 2020 possible.

Cheers – Jim & Christina xx

The post A beach Christmas, city in smoke and dinner at the tennis appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Everyone loves a long weekend. And in Australia and New Zealand last week, the dates all lined up so that the Anzac Day public holiday fell in the same week as Easter Monday. It meant savvy employees could have 10 days off work at the cost of just three days of annual leave.

To celebrate this wonderful bit of liturgical timing, we took some time off to enjoy an extended trip to Port Stephens, about 3 hours north of Sydney.

Check out the sights and fun to be had in this beautiful part of New South Wales, plus we’ve got a cool wine comp you should enter. Christina also has a new book to add to your reading list.

We hope you enjoy this Weekly Edition.

Cheers – Jim & Christina xx

Wine masters and dynamic designers Crafters Union have come together with contemporary luxury fashion label Ginger & Smart to create a new label for the winery’s Sauvignon Blanc.

Sydneysider sisters Genevieve and Alexandra Smart have created three different concept labels for Crafters Union, and it’s your job to choose the best one. If you win this competition, you not only get to see your favourite design on bottles in store later this year, you also win a selection of Crafters Union wine and $1500 worth of Ginger & Smart clothing!

This competition ended on April 30th 2019 – I hope you got your entry in!

As for the wine itself, the Crafters Union Sauvignon Blanc is everything you’d want in a classic Sauv B from NZ. However, the tropical nose it has doesn’t come through as strongly in the taste, which is full leading to a sharp finish. Crisper and less sweet than most Sauvignon Blancs, this wine is very drinkable.

We also found that drinking it after the bottle has been out of the fridge for a little while instead of freezing cold yields more of the minerally drier qualities and tones down the sweeter, passionfruit ones that tend to put us off a lot of SBs. In fact it’s in line with a story we wrote a while back on the correct temperature you should be drinking your wine at.

Like the other varietals from Crafters Union, the packaging on their Sauvignon Blanc bottle gives you clues for what to eat with the wine. Pair it with chicken, shellfish and fish for a perfectly matched meal. Crafters Union also make a Pinot Gris (also from New Zealand), a Rosé and a Shiraz, both from Australia.

I really like the packaging from Crafters Union. The elegant parody of the somewhat shabby brown paper bag you get with takeaways and bottleshops is eye catching and beautifully illustrated. What’s more, this winery also puts its wine in a can, which is perfect for festivals, picnics or pool parties where glass is heavy or can be a hazard.

Smart thinkers at this winery.

If only we had some to take to the beach…

It’s great to be back in Port Stephens. This is an old family favourite for Christina’s folks, who have been coming here for years. We love it here too, and have put together a guide to Port Stephens here.

It was a fairly easy drive up the coast from Sydney – just over 3 hours – considering the long weekend ahead. I was expecting every car in New South Wales to be in front of us, but our timing seems to have been ok.

As the sun sets over Bagnals Beach in Corlette, we look forward to the promise of unseasonably warm weather over Easter and over our shoulder at an exceptional sight…

The Easter full moon has popped up over the hills, houses and Mount Tomaree to the east. It’s enormous and incredibly bright.

Back at our holiday home with Christina’s mum, sister, brother-in-law and their two sons, we complete the first day of our Easter weekend in true Aussie fashion: Chinese takeaway, beer and a game of cards! And if you haven’t played Phase 10 before, think Uno crossed with Rummy. It’s a lot of fun.

Today the wind has picked up a bit hence the crazy kite surfer, but it’s still warm enough for a day at the beach. We’re back at Bagnals with our friends Glen and Barbs, who – by happy coincidence – are also staying in the same part of Port Stephens as us.

It’s a lovely afternoon for a paddle. The beaches around Port Stephens are excellent because of the range – these ones further in the bay are quiet enough for little kids, while back towards the open ocean they get deep quickly enough to snorkel and scuba right off the beach. In fact, Fly Point Aquatic Reserve is full of wildlife – even turtles.

After a paddle, we get down to the serious business of sandcastle building. We’re all pretty happy with our architecture here.

Finally time to sit back, admire our sandiwork (sorry) and relax with a cold one. Or two.

But the risk of building sandcastles is the ‘Godzilla Effect’ it has on Christina. They don’t last long!

As we pack up to go home, a strange little cloud over Mount Yacaaba releases a rainbow that hangs around for ages. And as I take this photo, a strange little man pops into shot and also hangs around for ages! I don’t know who’s more excited about being at the beach – Glen or his two little girls.

The rain across the bay with its persistent half hoop of pretty colours never makes it to us.

Just as the sun begins to set, we head back down to the beach to watch the sky. This time we’re here with our nephew and the family dog. The dog loves going to the beach, but if you’re in the water when she’s swimming, she’ll sit on your lap and make you hold her in the water. Funny pooch.

This afternoon, once again blessed with perfect weather considering it’s an Easter weekend – famous for its rain, we’re out for an al fresco lunch. We’re here with Christina’s mum, sister (behind the camera) and our brother-in-law at the Nelson Head Lighthouse.

The Inner Light Tea Rooms up here command spectacular views out over the bay and across to Tea Gardens on the other side, and their focaccia sandwiches are also worth the trip!

There’s been a lighthouse here since 1872, but before that, this headland was used as a weather monitoring station. In fact, the Stevenson Screen weather station that’s still here, was designed in 1864 by none other than Thomas Stevenson, father of famed author Robert Louis Stevenson. So there.

This weather station is still in use and measures temperature and humidity. So when you check what tomorrow’s going to be like at Port Stephens on your phone, the information comes from here.

While we’re having lunch, we’re visited by a couple of inquisitive (and hungry) magpies. They know how to break into the unopened sugar sachets people leave with their empty coffee cups and gorge on them. They also like the chocolatey foam left over from cappuccinos!

It’s a beautiful spot here at Nelson Head Lighthouse. Definitely worth the drive – even if you just want to look around.

Dinner this evening is quite the event! We’re round the house of a family friend who lives in Port Stephens. Des and our brother-in-law David go hunting together – for kangaroo and venison mostly – and Des has put together a meal with what he’s caught. These venison meatballs are delicious, as is the thick ragu he’s made to go with them.

And to go with the dinner, another friend, Evan, is acting sommelier this evening. His wine selection keeps us all happy and Des entertains us with his tales of his previous life in the UK. It’s a very good evening.

So good in fact were last night’s festivities that today everyone’s taking it a bit easy. I’ve mooched down to the beach for a bit of me time and to marvel at my beach towel. It might sound a bit weird, but if you realised you were on a towel that was truly sand-proof yet really absorbent, you’d marvel too.

This towel by Tesalate is honestly amazing. I didn’t believe it at first, but the sand just comes off it, even when it’s wet. And it can hold like a litre of water without dripping. I’m very impressed. I even like the colour.

I’m also at the beach so I can enjoy my new book in peace. I’m reading my friend Phil Baker’s book The Revolution of Man – a searing indictment into what masculinity and to ‘be a man’ means. It’s so interesting to look at one’s own motivations and society’s influence based on expectations and precursors that have such little relevance in modern times.

If you’re looking for a ripper read, get this book.

While we’re talking books, Christina has ploughed her way through this: Zealot by Jo Thornley. If you’ve ever wondered about cults, the people that join them and what happens in them (and maybe making fun of them a bit), this book is for you.

Thornely looks at everything from the wackos of Waco to the weirdness of Raelians in this book, and all with the same rye sense of humour she uses in her podcast Zealot.

We’re up early this morning. It’s not my idea. I blame Glen and Barbs whole-heartedly.

But it turns out to be (annoyingly) appropriate to be up early enough to see the sun rise over Mount Tomaree. By around midday, the day will be far too warm to climb this beast. As it is, the temperature is perfect for a hike to the highest point of Port Stephens.

As we climb higher, we get glimpses of the views awaiting us at the top. The water is so clear and blue, it doesn’t look real.

Finally at the top, we look around at the sights below us. To the west, Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay stretch before us.

Looking south, four of Port Stephens’ surf beaches show us their rips. Zenith Beach, Wreck Beach and Box Beach lead on to Fingal Spit. This sand isthmus connects Fingal on the mainland with the ominously named Shark Island.

You can cross the sand to Shark Island at low tide, but as the waters come up, the link disappears… so in fact it’s not an isthmus. It’s actually a tombolo. Just in case my dad’s reading this!

We’re all very happy to be at the top of the mountain. Glen and Barbs’ little girls have done amazingly well to climb so high. If you’re wondering how hard it is to get to the top, these girls are 3 and 5, and they managed very well. Miss 3 got a bit tired about ¾ from the end.

There are lots of stairs and some steep inclines though, so if your knees are bad or if you have extra mobility needs, this might be a bit much.

Glen and Barbs have a little surprise for us at the top of Mount Tomaree! Some cinnamon donuts. I do feel a little guilty as I munch into mine though. One of the girls has dropped hers in the dirt – not the kind of topping you want – so Barbs and Glen have to share one between them.

After a coffee pitstop in Shoal Bay (we stopped in at the Shoal Bay Country Club), we’re at Little Beach for a swim. It’s lovely here – and the water is in fact wheelchair accessible, which is pretty cool. A ramp goes all the way into the water from the grass and the water is pretty much always this calm.

Even better, there’s an excellent bar and restaurant that’s open for lunch and dinner here – the Little Beach Boathouse – which we went to for the first time back in 2017.

It’s been a pretty good Easter weekend – though I’m surprised I can still float after all the hot cross buns and chocolate I’ve gobbled recently.

We hope you had a lovely long weekend too and that you’ve enjoyed this Weekly Edition.

Cheers – Jim & Christina xx

The post Wine, fashion, Easter and the beach appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

What a week it’s been! There’s been so much new stuff going on, my head’s still spinning.

First off, we headed up to Port Stephens – a beautiful little beachside peninsular 2 and a half hours out of Sydney. Our plan was to help Mrs R’s sister renovate the new house they’ve bought there.

I learnt how to put up a dry wall and how to brick pave. And how much this makes your body hurt!

Back in Sydney, we learnt about the new coffee coming from Nespresso, which – if you have a Nespresso machine – you’re going to love.

We were also first on the scene to hear about the latest flavour collaboration between Australia’s darling the Tim Tam biscuit and one of the ice cream powerhouses (and Mrs Romance’s favourite).

Check out all the stuff we’ve learnt this week just gone in our latest IG Edition!

Jim & Christina xx

Port Stephens is a real hidden gem. So few people seem to know about it. It only takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive here and the views are all like this. All of them.

It’s incredible. And there’s so much to do here too. Here’s our Essential Guide to Port Stephens with our top tips on where to stay, where to eat and what to do! 

But it’s not all sunshine and beaches this visit. We’re here to work!

Mission 1: Project Pathway. The path around my sister-in-law’s new house needs to be dug up and repaved with bricks. Here is a before-and-after collage, which took me and my brother-in-law David a day and a half to do.

My first sally into the job: I load a wheelbarrow with bricks to pave with, the wheel gets stuck in the sand, tips sideways and flips me across the lawn! Excellent. This is going to be a lot of fun.

It’s lunchtime, so like the good tradesmen we are, we go to the local hardware store for timber. And lunch.

The sausage sizzle – for anyone outside Australia – is an institution in itself. The cheapest white bread you can find, average sausages and either tomato or barbecue sauce. Both if you’re a daredevil!

This happens outside most Bunnings hardware stores and at school fetes and things like that.

While we’re stacking timber in the ute, we keep our sausage sizzles warm on the bonnet! That’s how it’s done Downunder!

Here we have the lovely Mrs Romance modelling how you eat a sausage sizzle in a drive-in Bunnings hardware store.

Yes, that’s right. This is a drive-in shop. I think this is about as good as anything I’ve seen. Ever!

Now the path is finished (and my back and legs have officially fallen off) David and I are busy building a new wall. This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this and it’s actually quite good fun… but compared to laying bastard paving bricks, sitting in a tub of boiling acid with crows hacking at your eyes is fun.

This is where I try and make out as if I know what I’m doing. It hasn’t worked, has it?

And here’s the finished product. Minus the actual wall or door of course. It’s been a challenging job, but Foreman David and his assistant have pulled it off.

I’m surprised to hear this is David’s first stud wall too. It seemed like he know what he was doing all the way through. It goes to show what a bit of confidence will do for you!

Another first for us: driving on Stockton Beach. This enormous beach stretches for some 32km from Stockton in the south to Anna Bay in the north, and it’s one of the few beaches people can take their 4×4 vehicles on for free*.

Our slave-drivers have decided to down tools early today, so we’re all able to enjoy a bit of afternoon sun at one of the most dramatic beaches in the world.

*You do need a permit to drive on the beach here, but it’s quite cheap. Here’s where you apply online for one.

The water here is so incredibly clear and it stays shallow for ages. There are also millions of pippies – little clam-like shellfish – under the sand here.

These are like catnip to most Aussies, and Mrs R, David and Mrs R’s sister Mary are almost salivating into the water when we realise how many there are here. Shame you’re not allowed to take them from the beach. They are delicious.

Stockton Beach and Anna Bay are famous for something else other than the beach. There are over 32km of sand dunes here – the longest strip of moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere.

You can walk around this incredible national park, but if you want to see more of it, you can go on tour buses, quad bikes or even ride camels through the area.

This is an area of incredible beauty – made even more beautiful by Mrs Romance of course!

The dunes here at Stockton Beach, which is actually part of the Worimi Conservation Lands, are amazing. It’s more like some kind of moonscape than anything you’d expect to find under 3 hours out of Sydney.

If you walk just a little way into the dunes from the beach, you’re out of site from anyone. You could be in the middle of nowhere. It’s actually quite haunting.

It’s almost a relief to breach the last dune and find the beach and your car over the other side.

Now that we’ve been here once though, Mrs Romance and I can’t wait to come back and explore the dunes more!

Work is finally over and Mrs Romance and I can sit back and relax a bit.

We’ve come to the Little Beach Boathouse for lunch today. What an incredible little spot this is. Plenty of seating inside and out – we’ve chosen outside of course – and a great little menu to go with the view!

We’ve gone for the healthiest option on the menu: Halloumi and a bowl of fries! But the halloumi comes with a sesame crust and peach relish and the chips are cooked with rosemary sea salt, so it’s more than just chips and cheese!

I’ve also gone for the restaurant’s homebrew they serve on tap. It’s pretty bloody good too!

This is such a magical place. The restaurant upstairs is also good for events and weddings, or just a romantic dinner. But from the bar’s balcony, we get to enjoy the view and even see dolphins swim past.

And because you’re out over the water, the views seem to be all around you. Plus it’s a bit cooler.

It’s our last night in Port Stephens, so we’re having a bit of a stroll along the beach at sunset. And why not!

I wonder what I’m looking at…

That’s what I’m looking at!

And this amazing sunset is the perfect end to our trip. Tomorrow it’s back to Sydney and regular life… whatever that is!

Mrs Romance is at the beautiful Mille Vini in Surry Hills tonight to experience Nespresso’s latest coffee pod series: aged coffee!

The concept is quite interesting – the same way wine and cheese can be aged to develop flavour, so can coffee beans. The result is a much smoother, richer flavour. Very pleasantly surprised.

This is called the Selection 2014 Vintage, and it’s the first time it’s ever been tried. I think it’ll become a regular special in the Nespresso capsules. It’s amazing.

To guide everyone through how it works, Nespresso have recruited the expert help of coffee genius and Nespresso ambassador Mitch Monoghan, Keystone Group’s sommelier Chris Morrison and cheesemaker Kristen Allen.

They’re explaining the positive effects of the aging process have. They’re also showing us how all three elements – coffee, cheese and wine – can work together to produce something magical!

I’m out on my own tonight finding out how the amazing worlds of ice cream and chocolate biscuits can combine to make one taste bud shattering dreamscape!

Tim Tams – probably my favourite chocolate biscuit – have paired up with Gelato Messina – probably my favourite ice cream – to create a beautiful, beautiful thing. I think I’m crying!

Messina flavours in a Tim Tam. Can life get any better?

I’m exploring behind the scenes at the Messina factory in Rosebury. This place is fascinating. It feels like I’m one of the kids in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971 – not the 2005 nightmare) but as an adult. Kind of!

The team has set up a four-station experience where we’ll learn about each of the four new Messina-inspired flavours.

Local distillery Archie Rose have collaborated to make matching cocktails to go with the surprisingly good Coconut and Lychee Tim Tam, and we’re led through three more experiential stations to explain how the other flavours came about.

There’s Black Forest, Choc Mint and of course the Salted Caramel and Vanilla.

The final room is a sit-down dessert to showcase the Salted Caramel and Vanilla Tim Tam.

This amazing sugar egg is full of yuzu and olive oil sorbet, vanilla sablé and salted caramel sauce. It’s amazing – though I’m going to need a good dose of insulin after this!

You can pick up these four amazing new Tim Tam flavours at most supermarkets and you can try the flavours that inspired them at all Gelato Messina shops!

I truly do love Tim Tams. They’re delicious. If you’ve never had a Tim Tam before but you’re from the UK, they’re a bit like a Penguin but bigger, tastier and altogether more awesome.

You can also do what’s called a Tim Tam Slam, which takes biscuit dunking to another level. You’re basically using your Tim Tam to drink your brew through, then shoving the whole choccy mess into your mouth. Amazing!

Here are the details on how to perform the perfect Tim Tam Slam.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this rather long IG Edition. We’ve definitely enjoyed making it for you.

We’re looking forward to catching up again next week!

J&Cx

This week’s Travel Recap

Each week we go back in time over some of our favourite travel destinations using never-before-seen photos of our travels. Here’s where we’ve been looking back on this week.

Amazing views of the Brokenback Mountains from the vines of Scarborough Wines in the Hunter Valley, just up the road from Port Stephens.The wines are pretty amazing here too!

Here’s why we fell in love with Scarborough and the lovely family behind the wine.

This is the opening of the Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley region of northwestern Australia. The tides change by 9m here, which creates a huge flow of water between these bays.

Our zodiac couldn’t get through at high tide but you can take a jet boat. We spotted little rock wallabies around the bay here too!

Check out our full review of our trip around the Kimberley coastline with National Geographic here.

Classic Bondi. A tip to visitors here: the south end looks good for swimming, but stick to the red and yellow flags at the middle of the beach or the north end.

There’s a current at the south end they call ‘Backpacker Rip’ that will take you right out to sea before you know it.

Check out our post on how to use Australian beaches safely and how to look like a local when you’re there!

Mrs R wanted to know if pineapples float, and guess what? They do!

Do you ever have dreams about meals you’ve eaten? I could go back and eat this fried oyster po’boy at Ironside Fish and Oyster Bar in San Diego right now. Not a bad negroni from there either.

Ironside is in our wrap of 7 unforgettable dining experiences in San Diego, CA. Check it out here!

How about this double rainbow we saw pop up over Sydney! Does that mean there are 2 pots of gold out there somewhere?

That double rainbow reminded us of this stunning sunrise we took a while ago. There’s no filter on this photo – this is actually the colour of the dawn sky!

The skyline in Sydney has changed so quickly and so much with the new Barangaroo towers coming up. And there are three more to come too. The last, which will be a new casino, will be twice as tall as the smallest tower on the right!

See you next Monday for another IG Edition!

Jim & Christina x

The post A Port Stephens reno, a Tim Tams-Messina collab and Nespresso launches vintage coffee appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

For me, there’s something about drinking beer from the brewery it’s made at. It’s a bit like drinking from a stream as it first emerges from the ground – or milk straight from the udder… actually no, that sounds gross, doesn’t it.

Let’s just stick with the ‘water at its source’ image, shall we?

But being able to sample beer at its very freshest, served with food that’s been made especially for that beer’s flavour – there’s not much that’s better than that. We’ve done it a few times – like this trip to San Diego’s amazing Stone Brewery.

And even better, you might even just find a brew or two that’s not available on the shelves of your local grog shop. A secret the brewery keeps under the counter to share with the patrons invested enough to come and visit them.

I suppose it’s a bit like visiting a winery – but at a brewery, people are just a bit gruffer. A little saltier.

You’d expect this to be especially true at Murray’s Brewery on the Nelson Bay Road, NSW. After all, their signature beer is called the Angry Man!

But behind the bar, the staff are friendly, patient and helpful. We visited Murray’s recently to see how they do things here.

Set in the little-known wine country of Port Stephens, about 2 hours north of Sydney, Murray’s is a beautiful little spot with a big open-air dining room where people can sit and enjoy a feed and a schooner.

They also have a bit of live music here at the weekend.

I couldn’t decide which beer to have, so I ended up trying all of them in a tasting wheel. It ended up being pretty good value – and yes, I was able to taste a few beers I’d never heard of before.

The Whale Ale, Angry Man Pale Ale and Rude Boy Pilsner are favourites of mine, but all the others were all new and exciting.

For food, we really explored the menu. Our nephews hoed into some of the woodfired pizzas, which looked amazing… but were gone faster than we could taste them!

Each pizza is matched with its ideal beer. There are also wine pairings on the menu too.

The rest of the family had an assortment of goodies like the chilli salt squid (amazing) paired with the Murray’s Moon Boy Golden Ale, the fried 7 spice chicken wings (with Fred IPA) and the lamb salad (with Rudeboy Pilsner).

I just had to try the Angry Man “Man Burger”. It’s there on our top ten burgers list, and so it should be. It was a thing of beauty. And it’s the first time I’ve ever agreed with the strange Australian fascination with putting beetroot on a burger.

For some reason it works with this one.

After our meal, we threw a Frisbee around for a while – there’s a box of toys in the field above the restaurant – and enjoyed the views over the grape vines and hops.

This really is a lovely place to come for a feed and a few drinks. There’s a great atmosphere here that’s perfect for big family get-togethers and parties. The setting’s ideal for a romantic dinner too though – great for a birthday present!

There are a couple of things we recommend you bring however:

1. your wallet. It’s not cheap here. Even though it’s where the beer’s made, you still have to pay the OTT alcohol taxes and the drinks are regular prices. The food – as always seems to be with breweries – is also quite pricy – it was certainly the most expensive burger I’ve ever eaten!

2. mosquito spray. As soon as you’ve enjoyed that gorgeous sunset, out come the blood-suckers in their droves.

Murray’s Craft Brewing Company

3443 Nelson Bay Rd
Bobs Farm
NSW 2316
T: 02 4982 6411

W: MurraysBrewingCo.com.au
Fb: @MurraysCraftBrewingCo
Tw: @murraysbrewing
Ig: @murraysbrewing

Would you ever go to a brewery for dinner? What’s the most you’ve paid for a burger? Can you think of a better expression than my udder analogy? Please? Anyone? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mrs Romance using an OM-D E-M10 Olympus camera.

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