Parked just meters from the shore, we waited for the rain to pass this morning before heading into the rather impressive mall in the centre of town to shop for some supplies. It's Good Friday tomorrow, so we can't miss out on those hot crossed buns, can we!? The town is full of huge skyscrapers, right slap bang on the main strip of beach which is called 'Surfer's Paradise'. Not a bad place to shop!

Once we'd stocked up it was time to get on the beach and surf. Most will agree that there's something quite iconic about parking up in a camper by the beach, getting changed and then walking down the sand with board under arm. OK maybe it should be a surf board but we felt excited all the same to be carrying our newly hired bodyboards. So excited, in fact, that we decided to follow the footsteps of all those photo crazy Asian tourists we met back in SE Asia, and totally embarrassed ourselves by posing for numerous ridiculous snaps, a la Baywatch… (we know, we know… the sun is clearly getting to us but rest assured the results will not be making it on the blog!)

After all that nonsense, it was time to dive in and actually give 'surfing' a go. Of course, it took us forever to work out how to catch the wave (and stay on it), but eventually we both mastered it. Sort of.

Once we'd tired ourselves out, we carried on with the Aussie stereotypes and enjoyed a late Subway lunch in the sun. Mostly because it's the only thing we can actually afford in this country, but also because it seems to be what all backpackers here live off and as this seems to be a day for following the trend, why the hell not!?

Once the time came, we went to look for somewhere to park for the night before it got dark. It's not that we're scared to drive in the dark (honest!) - it's more that we're not insured to. It means we've got into a habit of dashing around at dusk, frantically looking for a place to stay. After splashing out last night (ahem), we wanted to try and find a freebie spot tonight, but like at Byron Bay this busy town is pretty much a no campervan zone - one that seems to be enforced too. Annoyingly, by the time we realised this, none of the campsites had space… it is the Easter holidays afterall.

So, after desperately studying the map we decided try our luck at the spit which is just outside the main part of town. Once there, we were right - there was nothing there but a few fishermen. So after a short walk along the waterfront for amazing views back at the illuminated town, we sorted out the bed as discreetly as possible, and climbed in to hide inside our sleeping bags.

The trouble was, it didn't stay quiet there for long. Before we knew it, the empty car park we were in became full. Everyone and their dog seemed to be at the spit - and we never figured out why. There was nothing there, and it was totally dark. Most people seemed to be heading to the beach, so perhaps there was a full moon party... who knew?!

Anyway, after a few hours sleeping with one eye open, everyone eventually left. We never got to the bottom of why so many people - mostly families - just turned up to hang around in the dark, but once they'd gone a bunch of rowdy, joyriding teenagers took their place. After half an hour of listening to them skidding around us in the carpark, we decided we'd be better to move the van if we wanted to sleep at all. So, after climbing over the seats we drove in our pyjamas to another carpark a few moments back down the spit. So here we are safe among other campers and glad to have found peace at last, so we'd better catch some shut eye before the ranger appears at sun rise…