Our old family camp spot at Munna Point on the Noosa River. Sadly there are now sandbags where there once was a great little beach.

The East Coast of Australia is stunning, but there is hardly a square kilometre that isn’t developed and populated. The West Coast, by comparison, has vast sections where it is possible to feel like you are the only person there! Whilst we enjoyed the east again, we pined a little for the west.

Curious to the point of obnoxious… Pelicans at the fish cleaning station.

This makes “bush camping” a real challenge but there are surprising rewards for those who try the back roads and sniff around a little inland. 

The Moo Moo Roadhouse near a little town called Burringbar where we stayed the night at their rest area in the heart of their cute little village.

As we drove into Byron Bay Ginnie loved the town sign which reads “CHEER UP – SLOW DOWN – CHILL OUT”. This town evokes polarised emotions… some love the place… others feel it has become over-commercialised, over-rated and over-priced. However you look at it, the beach, headland and coastal walk are some of the best on the North Coast.

Byron Bay Beach and backdrop – a stunning spot despite the tourism hype.

Winter at Byron Bay! Some in shorts and swimming… some rugged up 🙂

Whale watching platform on the knob at Byron Bay

A commercial whale watching tour launching the hard way (for the staff).

Along the Cape Byron Coastal Walk.

An added bonus to our day in Byron Bay was the presence of migrating whales. We had been a little early for the migration on the west coast near Exmouth. Ginnie was really hoping to see them as she just loves to watch them breach and splash their enormous tails. As well as several pods of whales, there were dozens of dolphins splashing in the Pacific waters off Cape Byron.

Cute hippie chick at Byron Bay looking at the migrating whales.

Cape Byron Lighthouse

The beautiful Tallow Beach south of Cape Byron

Aussies showing their respect for authority 🙂

From Byron we headed south  where we found a surprisingly quiet and beautiful camp spot (complete with boat ramp) near Broadwater on the Richmond River just a short drive south of Ballina. The nights have been freezing for the last few days… 3 degrees to 6 degrees being the range overnight. This has been a tough adjustment after 3 months in shorts and T-shirts.

On ramp for the Coastal Freeway from Byron Bay.

Great little camping spot by a boat ramp on the Richmond River a little south of Balina.

Sunset by the Richmond River.

We then headed to Yamba where we spent a couple of very pleasant days with old friends Peter and Sue Langston. When we were serving in the parish of Tambar Springs in North West NSW they ran the local infants/primary school and our family and theirs spent many wonderful hours together.

Lunch stop at Sawtell.

Last night under canvas 😦 beside Deep Creek near Valla. Plenty of bites but no fish for dinner.

Our last 2 weeks have been spent at Craig’s Beach House on the Pittwater in Sydney. This gave us time to catch up with family and we spent several days with pressure washers and scrub brushes working hard to remove the red dust from pretty much everything we owned, but particularly the boat, trailer and car. With everything cleaned up and looking great, Markus put it all up for sale! Looks like the next adventure will be in a different vehicle 🙂

Sunset at Pittwater… our last night before returning to Melbourne.

And so it is with mixed emotions that we head home from our amazing holiday. We are excited about seeing our 3 beautiful children and looking forward to catching up with friends. However we do feel a little apprehensive about hitting the rat race once again. Above all, we are so grateful for this opportunity and the wonder of God’s creation that we have been able to enjoy.

Of course we are full of ideas and plans for the future (including more travel!) as we have had many hours of driving to chat and dream.  Big Trip 2014 may be drawing to a close but another is already being dreamed of…