3rd - 10th June: Started in Brisbane caught a bus to Bryon Bay. Borrowed e-bikes, and a car and swam in the sea - had some Shiatsu. Met up with friends. Caught Another bus to the Gold Coast for our penultimate flight to Sydney on the 11th.
Wednesday 3rd June
Brisbane
Brisbane woke in the George hotel, the location was the only reasonable thing, it was supposed to be a 4 star, we did not get a 4 star room! We went for a stroll to see a little of Brisbane and to find some food.
Byron Bay
Later we caught the bus to Byron Bay, picked up by an old school friend of Tom's Adam and his Kids, Kingston (10) & Anouk (6) ... and their beautiful dog Tess <3
Adam and Miranda kindly let us stay in the rental house they had were midway through sorting for sale, a lovely house in Suffolk Park. We asked about recommendations for hiring e-bikes, he wrangled a friend who kindly lent us two bikes for our visit, we swung by and collected them in their multivan. Dropped in to the local beach the sun was setting beautiful pink skies, still warm - still cant get used to the idea they're coming into their winter time!
We grabbed some basics from the local store and a takeaway from the The Yellow Flower and headed to the house in Suffolk Park on Tulip Avenue.
I found a Shiatsu practitioner, a flavour I hadn't received before Zenthai Shiatsu Shane Turner I booked that for 9:30am the next morning.
Slept very hard!
Thursday 4th June
Had a wonderful lay in, which probably 'helped' our day of mishaps be less frustrating! I forgot my phone, which meant I couldn't navigate to The Arts Industrial Estate on my own. We were meant to meet at the farmers market with Christine and Oliver (Chris is an old school friend of Tom's mum), sadly we missed them and the market. I did get my shiatsu session (highly recommend!) Tom cycled back to meet with them at their local beach Watagos.
We had lunch at Tones Cafe right next door, wander along to the Op shop, I snaffled a lovely light weight plum coloured jumper for $6.
We had plans to meet with Adam and family for dinner; we wanted to get to see the lighthouse and the views, we got so very close. We cycled along Tallow Beach - beautiful, alas we were cutting it fine; especially and we had no lights for the bikes and the sun was due to set around 5:30pm
Adam had kindly offered to meet with us to guide us to the golf club where we were to see the sun set, the views are supposed to be lovely. We, me, my bike had a chain slippage issue - Tom got all greasy and sorted it for me.
Adam showed us a nice cycle route back view a gorgous view point.
We made it to the golf club to a completely empty venue, we had a lovely evening chatting and catching up - plus free entertainment of a line dancing club.
One front light supplied, we carefully pootled back via the golf course to the house.
Friday 5th June
We finally made it to the Lighthouse! We cycled near to the path that looped around the point, saw some whales very far off in the distance from the most easterly point of mainland Australia.
Cycled towards Adam and Miranda home on the hill in Suffolk Park to get bike lights and see their horses, Tom had the code for the gate, we sat and waited while they returned.
We had the tour, the views are stunning, walked around their trail, Tess was as per usual a cuddly delight along with a friends little dog Cookie - poodle type thing, he was adorable too.
After a drink and chat on the veranda we headed home on the bikes - with full lights, too hungry to decide on food - we ended up in a pub the Park, with some live music.
Saturday 6th June
We had a slow morning, pottering and planning our next stay, we needed to vacate the house in Tulip Avenue, we headed off to see Christine and Oliver and have lunch. Christine is a renounced architect - recently having all of her work taken in by the Sydney State Library. Her house is staggeringly beautiful, built over 50 years ago, terraced with winding pathways different views of the sea and coast line all framed beautifully.
We had lunch on the back deck, stunning views, lovely food and company - we had our first custard apple; eventually we headed off, caught the sun setting on the main beach, some live music helped ease the sun down.
Heading home - stopping off at the Roadhouse for dinner.
We started to pack and clean, the house for our move in the morning.
Sunday 7th June
Moved accommodation to a little Airbnb 5 minutes walk from the bus station on Gordon street, Adam helped us with our bags and bikes we dropped them off midmorning. We had to wait until check in at 3pm to get access to the place - of course Adam knew the hosts Laura and Valentina.
We wandered around Byron Bay found some breakfast, and the market running along the beach front chatted to some of the stall holders.
Mostly staring at the sea and beach.
We decided to try No Bones a vegan restaurant (divine food, charming service) before heading to the cinema to see Masters of the Universe (He-Man), realising I'd see the original film in 1987 at the cinema for a friends birthday Sam Britnell! Honestly the film was a delight.
Walked home in the rain I was wearing my rain coat, Tom wasn't - he got very wet!
Monday 8th June
Met with Nina, an old friend of Tom's for brunch at the Beach Cafe, chatted for a good while catching up; she kindly offered us the use of her car. Initially we declined thinking we would have the bikes a bit longer.
We walked in Byron Bay Clay heath, in Arakwal National Park, this was recently rewilded. Another relaxed day, warm and pleasant cycling towards cosy Corner at Tallow Beach, had a paddle in the water - was a little too cold for us!
Miranda collected the bikes from us, as they were seeing their friends that loaned us the bikes - to save on faffing they dropped the bikes off for us,
We ended up walking around Byron trying to find dinner, as it was a national holiday it was pot luck as to what was open, we decided on Beloporto Burger Bar as the veggie burger looked good.
Sitting outside waiting for the food to arrive Tom was deep in his phone figuring out when we could borrow the car from Nina, out of nowhere Nina and her mum arrived, Nina dropped off the key for her little white Toyota and vanished off with her mum home!
Tuesday 9th June
Swimming in the Sea
We woke fairly early drove Wategoes Beach, met with Chris and when for a swim in the sea! it was warmer than Tallow beach which was a relief, when we finally decided to exit the water we walked along the beach, drying off. Had a lovely Chai Latte and chat on the beach.
Oliver turned up on his bike just as we were leaving, Chris announced this is fairly common for him to arrive just as everyone is heading off. They invited us up to the house for some food and drink, we drove Chris up in Nina's car. Had a lovely chat and drinks.
Shiastu and Op shopping
Headed back to the Airbnb to have showers, and then off The Arts Industrial Estate for Tom to have his turn at a Zenthai Shiatsu, I spent far too long in a lovely clothes Fair Tales, shop trying on hand made dresses, divine! I dived into a Salvo or Sally Army, I bought 5 items of clothing for $45 (around 27euros), two pairs of shorts, two linen tunics, a lightweight long jumper!
I couldn't stop thinking about a dress and 'duster' I tried on at Fair Tales... had to go back and get them!
Tom was easily cajoled back into the Salvo's we grabbed him a night light linen shirt.
Broken Head
We decided on a walk to Broken Head and the Three Sister, a wonderful view and to my delight we saw an Echidna!
We met Adam as his Salon Fuz, waiting for him to close up, Tom prompted me to ask Adam about my endless WTF to do with my hair I declined - but decided to ask in my place. In moments Adam had me in his chair thinning out the back from the roots, put some cream in my hair - boom done. He also let me snaffle a tube of hair cream (shhh ;) )
Miranda and the kids arrived and we wander around the corner to the Bangkok Express for dinner.
headed back to our Airbnb and packed our bags again... (this is the one thing I won't miss about traveling!)
Wednesday 10th June
Brunswick Head
Tom was keen to try to catch the sunrise at Brunswick Head, about 20 minutes drive north of Bryon. Sadly no sunrise - just rain and stormy seas, we walked to the very tip of the south breakwater a few other people out walking and fishing.
Popped back into the car, dropped in on Belongi Beach for our last stroll in Bryon, back to the Airbnb for breakfast and to dry off - said good bye to the residents cat a beautiful calico, packed up and headed to see Nina and her Mum Claire. They live on the wonderfully name Lilli Pilli Drive.
Tom had a catch up with Claire and Nina for a short while then we headed back into to Byron to catch the Bus to the Gold Coast, only an hour ride, but I still managed to fall asleep.
Gold Coast
The Ridge Hotel was pretty good, we're trying to use up out Qantas points - we arrived early hoping to drop our bags before check in - they let us check in early no extra cost which was really handy as we're both pretty tired. We chose the hotel as is literally 2 minutes walk to the airport.
We didn't unpack much as we're on the plane 10:30am the next morning, realising this is our last domestic flight in Australia - we need to rethink our packing!
We headed off for a walk towards Danger Point. The Gold Coast is a little strange, the airport sits between Coolangatta and Kirra, no real infrastructure for pedestrians until you get to the sea front. We were famished due to our terrible timing most places were shut - thankfully we found a Poke bar, stuffed our faces and continued on our adventure to Danger Point, the rain was relentless. We decided to turn around, no view, too wet and tired.
Had an early dinner in the hotel restaurant and watched a film in bed on the huuuuuge screen (The Accountant 2), packed up ready for the morning flight.