We pack up the jeep and leave our trailer park behind us with the promise of adventure ahead . Our first stop was Byron bay, a sun soaked, surfer boy drenched town where boutique shopping, organic eating and skateboards suffocate the pavements. We get to a campsite right on the beach, we pay $100 for a pitch that is about 7sq ft Byron is not cheap. A gypsy shower and a splash of perfume later we head to get some food. A diet of noodles for the last few weeks meant our appetites were starved of fresh, seasonal grub soon to be replenished by a cute cafe on the Main Street, the cocktails and wine an added bonus as we talk grown up and growing up.
The following day we indulge in some retail therapy, bombarding the shops with our hard earned dollar.
We drive down the pacific highway into Lismore where we camp for the night under the stars listening to the flutter of fruit bats wings above our heads.
The morning came and we were off to Nimbin, the popular hippie hangout where the 60's never really died. The streets are dripping in tie dyes, psychedelic music and Eco projects are plenty. After all the girls, bar me got inked up in the only licensed tattoo shop in the place we went to set off for nightcap national park. This would be the start of many problems with Pedro our jeep. So, into the mechanics he goes and we camp up in Nimbin for the night.
The following day we head straight to Yamba in search of plankton. With the anticipation of a thunderstorm that night we stay in a cabin and treat ourselves to margaritas and a Mexican. Bellies full, we drive to the beach and tread our way through the darkness to the edge of the shore where we marvel at the resplendent waves revealing the hidden green phosphorous beneath.
The skies were grey and we barely make it 30 miles down the road, Pedro isn't feeling well again. Being a Sunday (when apparently no-one works in OZ) we stick around in the very uninteresting Grafton. Setting up in another cabin for a couple days. It seems the idea of a national park doesn't appeal to Pedro. We get on the road late afternoon after fixing the problem with our temperamental immobiliser and drive further south stopping in a 'free' campsite for the night.
The morning sun....and Sarah, wake us to start packing for the short drive we have left to Sydney. We expertly play Tetris with the car, slotting in bags, mattresses and Doonas. We stop off at Boodi national park on the way. Following the footsteps of previous explorers that have carved a path through the high trees, we are lead out onto a sandstone rock face. Beneath us the pugnacious sea kisses the side of the cliff as we tread by the precipice, looking out at ocean for as far as the eye can see. We take the path back to the car proceed to Sydney, (not before reversing the car back to pick up my Birkenstocks that I left in the car park).....and we're off again!
Sydney brings the end of our trip with our favourite Dane, Nanna. We drop her off, say our goodbyes and cry ourselves to sleep that night...