The Old Pacific Highway, a leisurely lunch in Terrigal, a secluded cabin in the bush and the Mazda 6e. Sometimes the best adventures are the simplest ones.
There's something refreshing about packing an overnight bag, leaving Sydney behind and heading somewhere different, even if it's only for one night.
Not every adventure needs to involve weeks of planning, expensive flights or travelling hundreds of kilometres. Sometimes all you need is a great road, somewhere nice to eat and a peaceful place to spend the night.
With the keys to a Mazda 6e, kindly supplied by Mazda Australia, we decided to escape the city and head north to the Central Coast for a little overnight adventure.
And rather than take the quickest route, I decided to make the journey part of the experience.
Taking the Scenic Route – Old Pacific Highway
There's a reason the Old Pacific Highway remains a favourite among driving and motorcycle enthusiasts.
While the M1 motorway is certainly more efficient, the old highway offers something far more enjoyable: winding bends, beautiful bushland and an opportunity to slow down and actually enjoy the drive.
The Mazda 6e was a particularly pleasant companion.
Quiet, comfortable and wonderfully smooth, the electric Mazda made cruising through the winding sections of road feel effortless. With no engine noise competing for attention, it was a different driving experience from the petrol-powered cars I've spent most of my life enjoying.
And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
There's something rather relaxing about gliding through the Australian bush with little more than tyre noise and your favourite music providing the soundtrack.
I wasn’t in any hurry. The whole purpose of the trip was to escape the usual routine, take the scenic route and enjoy whatever the day brought.
Lunch at Terrigal – A Little Coastal Indulgence
My first destination was Terrigal, one of the Central Coast's most popular seaside towns.
With its lovely beach, Norfolk pines, cafés and restaurants overlooking the water, Terrigal is an easy place to spend a few hours.
I stopped for lunch at Bellyfish Café, right along the Esplanade.
I went for the Pork Belly Waldorf Salad, and what a fantastic combination.
Beautifully cooked pork belly paired with crisp apple, walnuts, fresh greens, beetroot and goats cheese. It managed to feel both indulgent and fresh at the same time.
It's exactly the kind of lunch I enjoy when travelling. Something a little different, somewhere with a relaxed atmosphere, and no particular reason to rush.
After lunch, I took a leisurely stroll along the Terrigal foreshore.
There's something about being beside the ocean that instantly changes your mood. Watching the waves roll in, people enjoying the beach and the steady rhythm of coastal life makes it easy to forget about everything waiting back home.
I didn't need an itinerary or a long list of attractions. Lunch and a walk beside the water were more than enough.
A Hidden Cabin in the Bush – The Stables at Holgate
After enjoying Terrigal, it was time to head inland to my accommodation for the night.
And this was where my little escape became something special.
I had booked an Airbnb called The Stables, a secluded cabin tucked away in the semi-rural surroundings of Holgate, just a short drive from Terrigal.
The property is a beautifully converted former stable, with natural timber features, a generous outdoor deck and lovely views across the surrounding bushland.
It feels a world away from the busy Central Coast beaches, despite being only around ten minutes from Terrigal.
What makes The Stables particularly appealing is its privacy and connection with the natural surroundings.
The cabin opens onto a spacious deck overlooking the trees, with plenty of room to sit, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
There's also a hammock, outdoor seating and a wonderfully unusual indoor-outdoor bathroom, complete with a large freestanding bath positioned to take advantage of the bush views.
It's the sort of accommodation that encourages you to do absolutely nothing.
No sightseeing checklist. No rushing between attractions. Just the opportunity to settle in and enjoy being somewhere different.
The surrounding bushland and birdsong add to the atmosphere, making it feel like a genuine retreat rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
For anyone looking for a romantic overnight getaway, a quiet weekend or simply a break from city life, this is certainly an interesting little find.
Accommodation: The Stables – Stunning Private Retreat, Holgate (View on Airbnb)
Sometimes Doing Less Is the Whole Point
One of the things I've come to appreciate more as I've gotten older is that travel doesn't always have to be about how much you can squeeze into a day.
There's certainly a time for big road trips, long hikes and exploring unfamiliar destinations.
But there's also something wonderful about slowing down.
A leisurely drive through the countryside.
A delicious lunch by the ocean.
A walk along the beach.
And a peaceful night surrounded by bushland.
None of it is particularly complicated, but put it all together and you have the ingredients for a genuinely enjoyable escape.
It's also a good reminder that you don't need to travel far from Sydney to discover interesting places.
The Central Coast has so much to offer, from its beaches and coastal villages to the quieter hinterland areas that are sometimes overlooked.
The Mazda 6e – A Different Kind of Road Trip
Having the Mazda 6e along for the journey added another interesting dimension to our overnight adventure.
I've always enjoyed driving, particularly when the road starts winding and the scenery becomes more interesting.
And while an electric vehicle offers a very different experience from a traditional combustion-engine car, the Mazda proved to be a comfortable and enjoyable way to explore.
Its quiet cabin, smooth power delivery and relaxed touring character suited this particular trip beautifully.
It also reinforced something I've been discovering while spending time with the 6e: an electric vehicle doesn't have to take the enjoyment out of driving. It simply delivers that enjoyment in a different way.
A big thank you to Mazda Australia for providing the Mazda 6e and giving us the opportunity to enjoy it in everyday life and on a few adventures away from home.
You can find out more about the car at Mazda Australia.
There's Plenty Left to Explore
My little Central Coast getaway wasn't an epic adventure.
I didn't drive thousands of kilometres, climb mountains or pack every available hour with activities.
I simply escaped Sydney for a night, enjoyed some good food, explored a familiar stretch of coastline and stayed somewhere a little out of the ordinary.
And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
The best part is knowing that there are countless similar experiences sitting right on our doorstep, just waiting to be discovered.
More roads. More places. More stories. There's Plenty Left.
Thanks for following along with another Plenty Left adventure. Whether you're planning a big journey or just looking for somewhere to escape for a night, I hope this inspires you to get out and explore a little more of what's around you.
Adventure • Travel • Strength • Life
