We left Sydney and began our Australian adventure in earnest, renting a car for nearly four weeks with the plan of driving up the east coast.Before setting off, we checked the bank balance and our fears were confirmed that our original budget wasn't going to cut it in Australia and New Zealand. But this minor budgetary crisis did introduce a new concept into our trip, which will most likely become a recurring theme - shared bathrooms. With this in mind, we started by driving west of the city to the Blue Mountains. We went out to Echo Point to take in the amazing vista and as it was late in the day we planned on taking a hike the next morning. When we returned a thick fog had set in and we felt sorry for all of the keen tourists looking blankly into the mist trying to catch the same fantastic view we had enjoyed the previous day.So the walk was off and back to Hwy1 which runs along the coast.

Next stop was Nelson Bay and our accommodation was once again pushed to new limits.We camped.Well, in fact it was the easiest camping I have ever come across; the large tent was already set up and inside was a ready-made double bed lifted off the ground.Outside the tent was a table with two chairs and we were even given a solar lamp to use,it was all quite civilized.The grounds were amazing; there were koala bears in the trees and a joey (baby kangaroo) bouncing around happy to be given attention.Outside the campground there was plenty to do and see: A dolphin cruise where we saw many swimming along or playing in the surf, some yummy gourmet pies (mine was teriyaki kangaroo and I prayed it wasn't joey's mother), and walked along the largest moving sand dune in the Southern hemisphere approximately a mile wide and 35 miles long.

The last stop before Byron Bay was Bellingen, another shared bathroom hostel but near Waterfall Way which was a stunning drive through rainforests and roaring waterfalls thanks to the torrential rains the region was experiencing.The rain was so bad we over heard people say that roads where flooded but that didn't stop us.The next day we began driving to Byron Bay and after a couple of hours, the heavens opened and heavy rain came down.Cars were pulling over, hazard lights were on and it was hard to see through the windshield because the wipers couldn't clear the rain fast enough.But we drove 20 miles an hour all the way through the storm and safely arrived at our destination.

People describe Byron as a paradise.It has endless beautiful beaches with surf-friendly waves, lots of cute shops, restaurants and bars galore and a very chilled out attitude to life generally.The place reminds of a bit of Reed College, or at least the smell does.Since we have been here we have had slept in, eaten lovely food, drank some good wine, gone to the movies, had several evening walks along the beach, and even managed to rally ourselves to an activity or two.Despite the numerous shark sighting in the past month we decided to take a surf lesson with a company that guarantees that you will stand up on the board or you get your money back.I decided to push that motto to the limit but we both got up on our boards and had a wonderful time doing it. The teaching method consisted of pushing your board into the waves at the right time, telling you to keep your eyes up, encouraging you by prompting you to take deep breaths and using phrases like "happy days" and "no worries" in near excess.

We also went swimming in a 50 meter pool near the ocean.After attempting 20 lengths and only getting to15, I left like a work-out failure.Luckily, I was made to feel better about myself when I received an email from a friend who said that her husband's butt cheeks were in pain for 5 days after a Wii tennis competition on New Years Eve.My 15 lengths is now feeling like a real achievement - thanks.

Tomorrow we leave Byron Bay and drive to Hervey Bay and on to Fraser Island for more camping (this time we have to put up our own tent).Stay tuned.

Love, R & A