After Newcastle we arrived on an overnight train/bus at Byron Bay. We arrived at 9am and checked straight into our hostel had a quick power nap and went for a walk to the beach. It was absolutly gorgous!! The beach was fantastic and the sand so clean it sweaked when you walked on it. When you were close to the rocks you could see fish jumping out of the water and in the waves.

The weather stayed sunny for the 3 days we spent here and it was by far the best beach we had been to.

We walked along the beach from the main town and found a small lagoon which had nice and warm water and fish swiming around. so we cooled off abit here and had a bit of sun soak before heading back to the main town for dinner.

Then next day we arranged to go on a sea kayak tour to look for dolphins in the bay (had my glasses with me this time) and after a bit of confusion between me and Jem we got into the rythym of the double kayak and off we went. We saw a huge turtle (appanetly about 90 years old) and after along trip around the headland for a great view of the light house we landed on a secluded beach for tea and a Tam Tam. Had a dip in the sea and off we went. On the way back the wind had picked up and the waves were deffinatly bigger (some times worryingly big) but it was easier on the way back and we saw two pods of dolphins in the bay which were great to watch.

After the tour we went to the best fish and chip shop in town and had a good lunch followed by a relaxing after noon on the beach and in the sea. The waves were great as every now and then you got a BIG wave. I tought Jem to body surf which she mastered brilliantly and then off for the free pizza at the YHA! Fantastic day.

The last day we decided to do the 8 km walk to the light house which in that heat was not a great idea but the views were fantasic and we saw some migrating humpback whales (or their blow holes) and then a nice relaxing swim to end on. We then caught the late bus to surfers paradise which was only 1 hour away!