Sore heads today … Dolphin buzz blamed, but we get going at 10am stopping in Brisbane to see the sights. Sadly it's lashing down from the heavens and will be for the remainder of the week - real shame as this means the good coast will not look it's best.

Brisbane is much like London or any city really - big buildings, flash Harrys' and donning a Big Wheel, which is near the river. We don't really hang around given the weather, so make tracks for Surfers Paradise an hour's drive south.

As we arrive the weather is getting worse, the beach is closed as a result and apparently, Cyclone Marcia is on her way. We walk around the centre and up the beach strategically in sight of a camera crew reporting the weather - no idea what channel but there will be two eejits on Australian TV wearing raincoats and shorts waving and nodding in Marcia's wrath.

We decide to make tracks for Byron Bay driving through the Gold Coast - we're gutted but there's no point spending the intended 3 days here in the sopping rain with Moody Marcia on her way - the weather isn't due to break for 5 days.

The drive, despite the weather, is stunning. Beach after beach, big waves and beautiful hill top views. We find Byron Bay easy enough and, much like Surfers Paradise, there are warnings everywhere not to swim. Clearly the surfers are illiterate or the warning is the biggest green light you could give them - the beach is full of them! But it's great weather to surf with the big bold waves - suicidal, but great. We head to a viewing deck to watch them and get some great snaps - it's thrilling.

We head onto see Cape Byron Lighthouse, sadly it's just closed when we arrive but we get a great snap of it.

Matt finds a campsite near the beach and we park up for the night. Sheltering from Marcia.