North Shore Beach in NSW is such a gem, especially if you’ve got a 4WD and a bit of an adventurous streak. You jump on the little car ferry from Port Macquarie (which is half the fun in itself — super quick and cheap), and then boom — you’re straight onto the beach from the southern end. From there, it’s one of the most fun beach drives you’ll do, all the way up to Point Plomer.

The stretch is long, scenic as, and feels way more remote than it actually is. You’ll wanna keep an eye on the tides — trust me, you do not want to be bogged in soft sand with the ocean creeping up behind you. Time it right, though, and it’s a smooth, cruisy drive with salty air in your face and not a care in the world. Absolute dream.

There’s plenty of space along the way to pull up, let the doggo have a run (yep, pet friendly!), or even set up a little arvo beach picnic. The drive ends at Point Plomer, where you can roll off the beach and straight into the Point Plomer campground if you’re keen to stay the night — hot tip: it’s such a good spot to wake up right by the waves.

It’s got that perfect combo of adventure and chill — no hectic crowds, just you, the sand, and the sea. An absolute must-do if you’re anywhere near Port Macquarie with a 4WD!