Image courtesy of Jeremy Rogers Photography

As the engine roars to life and we taxi out to the middle of the river ready for take off, the nerves subside and are replaced with anticipation. Take off is smooth and within less than a minute we are soaring along Port Macquarie’s breathtaking coastline, taking in the spectacular view.

And it’s sharing that view with the rest of the world that makes highly experienced pilot, Judy Hodge, feel very lucky. She considers what she does so much more than just a job. “It’s a lifestyle,” she says. “I can be having the worst morning and once I get in the plane and sense that excitement from my passengers, the stress and busyness of life just fades away. I’ve seen some amazing sights from up here.”

And so have her passengers! With her desire to make every flight remarkable, Judy strives to share as much as she can from the air with those onboard. Last year, for example, Judy and her passengers witnessed a whale give birth to her calf. Everyone watched on as the mother helped her baby to the surface to take its first breath. Judy has also been known to change course to follow a pod of dolphins so that her customers gain lifelong memories. What a joy to watch the sleek mammals move together in unison as if part of some choreographed dance performance.

We make our way up past each beach, Judy pointing out landmarks that I have known my whole life but that look so different from up here. Energetic dogs run laps of Nobby’s Beach, we see the wide, expansive green canopy of Sea Acres Rainforest and fly all the way up to the Tacking Point Lighthouse with the sun high in the clear blue sky and the white sand beneath us stretching all the way to Middle Rock and beyond.

Images by writer Georgie taken during her seaplane experience

For Judy, sights like this never get old. As flights run consistently all year, each season brings its own beauty. Whether it’s the crisp clear winter mornings or the fiery orange sunsets of autumn, each flight creates an experience all its own. And with a range of options available, the backdrops are ever-changing.

My flight entailed 20 minutes in the air and I enjoyed the coves and beaches along Port Macquarie’s beautiful coastline. Options are also available to travel further afield, whether it be north up to beautiful South West Rocks, showcasing some spectacular scenery as you coast over the Trial Bay Gaol, Arakoon National Park and Horseshoe Bay, or south, where you can take a 1.5 hour flight down to Smith’s Lake, stopping for a caffeine hit at the local Frothy Coffee Boatshed.

Have something special planned? A charter can be tailored specifically to suit your needs and preferences.

Over the past ten years, I have often seen Judy and her Cessna 182 seaplane sitting down near the wharf, assuming that it was a ‘tourist thing’. How wrong I was! Tourist or local, Port Macquarie Seaplanes is for everyone and is one adventure that will stay with you for a lifetime.

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Everyone needs time to chill and when you throw in the beach, a beautiful healthy meal and coffee, who can possibly resist?

I love coffee. Actually, scratch that. I love good coffee and when you throw in a breathtaking sunrise, dolphins and the mesmerising rhythmic crash of the waves, I’m in heaven. And my newest find, on the trail for the world’s best caffeine hit, has led me here – Salty Crew Kiosk on Port Macquarie’s Town Beach.

Now, I could pretend that I am one of the multitude of walkers and joggers, making their way along Port’s famous Doctor’s Walk, starting my day with a quick 5kms and a damn good coffee, but I’m not. Skip straight to the damn good coffee please and pair it with one of Salty Crew’s naturally delicious quick bites and that’s me taken care of.

And that was the aim. From the first discussions that Port Macquarie originals, Leasa and Chris Harris had with each other, their vision of the revamped Town Beach Kiosk has come to fruition.

“We wanted to bring the community together at Town Beach and provide a beautiful place where people could socialise and connect,” says Leasa. “We wanted to design a place where you could bring the dog and bring the family. As a new mum myself, that was really important.”

And, as I arrive at Salty Crew for a weekend lunchtime treat, it’s obvious that Leasa and Chris have really hit the mark.

A handful of mothers settle on the edge of the giant timber steps, their children collecting all sorts of goodies from the white sand. With Salty Crew Kiosk literally sitting on Town Beach, it’s easy to see why the café has such appeal. No traffic, no manic morning rush, just the wide natural playground which the kids take to immediately, under the watchful eyes of their mums. It’s great to see children collecting shells and chasing crabs instead of being glued to a grown-up’s iPhone or iPad. The little ones make who knows what out of driftwood and cuttlefish, all while their mums, coffee in hand, actually get a chance to catch up with one another.

To my left is a couple with their two labradoodles, fur salty and sprinkled with sand. After a play at Nobby’s, the local dog beach, I can’t imagine a better spot to take two exhausted pooches. The dogs rest lazily under the table while their humans make their way through smooth Clandestino lattes and a brekkie of chia pudding for one and smashed avo for the other.

Whether it be a hot cuppa, selected from the range of traditional and herbal teas or one of Salty Crew’s chilled smoothies, the vibe is the same. Stop, relax and just take it all in.

Breakfast by the beach or a quick healthy lunch option with million-dollar views to match, Salty Crew uses beautiful, seasonal produce that is locally sourced wherever possible. A mix of acai bowls, fresh salads, tacos or raw desserts, the simple yet tasty options that Leasa and Chris choose for their menus, cater for everyone.

Leasa says, “I have a strong passion for healthy food that’s delicious and not boring. We like to show people that you can have healthy food that still tastes great. We’re so pleased that our community have really embraced that too.”

I grab a cushion from a well-loved cane basket and take my coffee and first ever Poke Bowl, complete with fresh salad and smoked salmon and plant myself on the beautifully weather-worn timber steps to enjoy the uninterrupted view across stunning Town Beach.

Everything about this place forces you to stop and take a breath. You can’t help but feel relaxed, and in the busyness of life, places like this are hard to come by and I’m not sure I’ll ever leave…

Foodie images provided by Salty Crew are from Sharni Tait Photography

Salty Crew Kiosk is located at Town Beach Reserve

William Street, Port Macquarie

www.saltycrewkiosk.com.au

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