DRINKING & DINING
The last few years have seen the emergence of a genuine food scene in the area. The most notable additions have been The Great Lakes Food Trail events that are squarely targeted at foodies, and the produce and weekend events at Great Lakes Paddocks, which is only 14km from Wattley Hill.
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The nearest place for decent coffee and good take-away is Chaos (pictured above) at Bungwahl Shop. Their burgers and coffee get great reviews, and the queue of surfers waiting for their bacon and egg rolls is the best recommendation you'll get. The shop also sells booze of most kinds.
There's also a good coffee to be found at the Single Fin Coffee caravan at Seal Rocks, right next to the General Store and Post Office (where you can also get a pie).
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Pacific Palms Bowling Club is the nearest licensed establishment, where you can play bowls, sit outside and enjoy a beer or order from Macwood Grill. They even have an ATM! A little further along The lakes Way you'll find Pacific Palms Riverside Co. (and service station) that serves pretty healthy takeaway
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Bluey's Beach is next nearest, where you can find the local pizza institution Huey's at Bluey's, as well as the more recent addition Kembali Cafe.
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Your next stop north would be Pacific Palms Recreation Club, where you'll find a big, serious bistro, and a pretty big club all round. Amazing river-front beer garden in the summer months, and a lot of TVs for those who like to combine their sport with their beers (rugby union fans, this is your best bet, but be aware the Waratahs don't win on these screens any more often than in real life). You can even lose a fortune on the pokies if you choose.
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Of course there's always Bulahdelah to the south, where you'll find The Plough Inn, the Bulahdelah Bowling Club and Sammy's Chinese at the Bulahdelah Golf Club - all of which have bistros and booze. Don't miss the Bulahdelah Bakery's pies and sausage rolls either - the best in the region and the highlight of which is what I call "The Heart Attack", a sausage roll split down the middle with bacon and cheese melted on top. Don't judge me!
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And just to round it out, there's also a good bottle shop to be found at The Lady Jane Motel in Bulahdelah, where the new owners have opened a pizza joint that we hear good things about.
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