Leaving Queensland behind—first stop, Byron Bay.

It’s a bit sad to be leaving Queensland behind as we don’t know how long it will be before we return.

We’ve now left Queensland behind us, and as much as we can’t wait to be back, we’re not likely to cross back over its borders for quite a while. There’s so much of this beautiful Country to explore, so it’s a bit early to be getting too sentimental over the Sunshine State just yet.

Our first stop was, for us, the less enchanting Coastal mecca of Byron Bay, around 160km’s south of Brisbane, or 770km’s north of Sydney. We booked one night at the local Discovery Park and were greeted with our first nightmare reverse-park scenario: a greater-than 90-degree reverse-in with a tall and fairly solid Melaleuca on the approaching corner, and the amenities block hugging the kerb directly opposite. Thankfully we were missing the small gathering of onlookers and “supporters”. I’m sure we’ve all heard the tales of, or possibly even had the good fortune to witness, couples getting shitty with each other as they attempt to communicate and execute a reverse park. It’s early days, for sure, but thankfully Alicia and I haven’t even come close to cracking it with each other (with regard to parking the van, at least), even after having already been hit with our most terrifying parking scenarios—night-time reversing in complete darkness, negotiating obstacles, and now this classic.

It’s been said that Byron Bay is known mainly for its primary export, that being spiritual enlightenment delivered by the likes of self-proclaimed gurus brandishing names like Crystal-moon. It’s quite likely that that is still the case, but we mostly bore witness to bare-foot, well sun-kissed folk draped in flowing linen, and oftentimes carrying yoga mats. There’s no doubt it’s a popular spot and quite a drawcard for most people, but we found it overcrowded and just a bit overrated—for us, there was no allure outside of ticking off having stood at the most-easterly point of Australia. To be fair, though, we’re definitely drawn toward a more rural backdrop.

Cynicism aside, Byron offered us a spectacular coastal seascape. We parked up and walked along Wategos beach, and over the rocks to Little Wategos beach. This was Alina’s first time at the beach and watching her experience this “weird gritty-granular stuff”, along with giving it a taste test, was a quick reminder of one of our primary reasons for taking this change in life direction. Of course, had we not sold up to travel she would likely have experienced it at some point, but that 9 to 5 grind lifestyle we were living mostly saw us adding things to do on an ever-growing list of experiences that we never get around to experiencing. Alina was super-keen on running into the water, but it was a cold and windy afternoon, and with a walk back around the rocks and up the hill still ahead of us, we weren’t quite prepared for a soaking wet child. Unfortunately, the Cape Byron walking track was closed, so there was no walking access to the most easterly point of the cape. Instead, we took in the spectacular view looking out toward the Julian Rocks, Nguthungulli Nature Reserve, from the Cape Byron lookout and, perhaps a result of some kind of karmic spite, falling about 60 meters short of Australia’s most Easterly point. We could probably have driven to the lighthouse and made the Point from there but, with the sun having almost set it was getting a bit late for trying to find another way to access, and Alina had already had a big day.

All to do then was a trip to the local Woollies to pick up some much-needed groceries, at prices inflated well beyond what we were used to, none the less—such is the cost of the ever-emanating enlightenment that exudes for all to bath in. I do really think that some kind of spiritual osmosis exists, but this one’s just not for us. From here, we continue down the Coast toward Coffs Harbour. Ever keen to save a few dollars on site fees, we’re booked into North Beach caravan park in Mylestom, 24 minutes out of Coffs Harbour, for 2 nights.