Thirty years ago – while driving along the coast to find a site for a holiday caravan – Fay decided on a whim to take the scenic route from Bulahdelah along the Lakes Way. 

But for the humble offerings of Bulahdelah’s food stops, Fay might have slipped right on past, and that would have been that.

However, that wasn’t the case and when Fay, her two children, and their holiday campervan stumbled across the Forster Tuncurry bridge, they knew they had found home.

“When I saw that bridge, even back then, I thought, why would I be going any further than here,” Fay said?

Fay continued to holiday in the area regularly before retiring in Forster 14 years ago.

Before settling here, Fay lived in Redfern, Sydney, Glebe, and Gladesville.

She also often travelled internationally for taekwondo events, but insists this is the spot from her.

“I don’t even remember ever living anywhere else, and that’s when you know you’ve found a beautiful place,” she said.

“I’ve been to a lot of countries but I find it’s most beautiful here. The first time I drove across the bridge I was so happy.”

In 30 years, this happiness hasn’t changed.

“Just the other day I got a call from a friend,” she said.

“He said “ I just saw you driving over the bridge, and I knew it was you because you had this huge smile on your face,” and I always do have that smile, because this place just makes me happy.”