Sorry to hear that about the Central Coast. I knew it was headed in that direction. I lived just south of Newcastle in Lake Macquarie (Toronto, Warners Bay) for 11 years. I am proud of my dual Aussie/US citizenship. I returned to the US about 5 years ago when my dad got cancer - - He's pretty good now, by the way.
I used to LOVE to holiday on the Mid-North Coast - - just north of Taree at Harrington/Crowdy Head. Magnificent. When I win the lotto I plan to buy a prawn boat and go into semi-retirement at Crowdy... hire some young fellas to go and catch me tucka.
Lake Maquarie is still beautiful but also getting crowded. House prices have gone way up too.
Mid north coast is lovely, I hope you get your lotto win!
I love Yamba which is further up. We are going to darwin next week so I'm hoping for a nice feed of Barra.