35-45 Shoal Bay Rd, Shoal Bay, Port Stephens
The view: From big wooden windows on the country club's second floor we sat and watched the choppy seas of Shoal Bay, part of the seaside town of Port Stephens, north of Sydney. A quick wind whipped locals and their dogs along the pier and yachts swung on their moorings as the last golden light streaked across the horizon.
The vibe: Is beachy cool with a current of Amalfi coast lux. Bright striped brollies line the balcony and lofty white on white spaces are decorated with bubblegum pink and denim cane sofas, bleached wooden floors and potted banana palms. We arrived to the smooth croon of Lenny Kravitz over the speakers, and pulled up stools next to a hip middle-aged man sipping a beer and watching the ocean.
The chat: Was upbeat and snappy. Our waitress was quick to get us to a seat with a sea view and ordered up. A big, busy place, we were left to make further orders up at the bar.
