Time to chill

"You after some weed love?" asked a man with long dreadlocked hair, long beard, and long flowing black clothing. Preceding this I was sat in my van idling behind another car, waiting to take its place curb side. 'Tap tap tap on my window. "Excuse me, I don't mean to be rude" said a heavily pierced dreadlocked woman in her 60's (or maybe 40's with some hard living behind her), "but we're worried about carbon monoxide poisoning, so would you mind turning your car off?". And with that, it was Welcome to Nimbin!

The town has long been a haven for those wishing to live an 'alternative' lifestyle, and if you stumbled upon it unaware, you'd wonder what you'd come across. Set in the hills of the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales, I'd heard all about it, yet was still a little 'deer in headlights' when I got to visit for myself. If you can, do. Cheap weed ;-)

A BIG bong. Nimbin, NSW

Tee pee, Nimbin, NSW

Nimbin Rocks, NSW

My journey to Nimbin and beyond, took me firstly to Brisbane where I enjoyed the hospitality of my friends Sam, Alli & Fraser. With fantastic home cooked meals, late night chats and a roof over my head. Thank you guys!

Lagoon pool, Southbank, Brisbane

Brisbane, Qld

Last years flood saw the water rise to almost touch the bottom of these pods. You'd hardly know anything had happened now after an incredible clean up job.

Water dragon on the Southbank. Big city with suburban wildlife!

Brisbane. A much bigger city than I'd always imaged.

After a few days having a look around, I headed south staying in a cute little coastal town called Pottsville. Then to a place I'd last visited a few years ago when I was working on an outside broadcast for the UK TV show 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!' Coolangatta was a little quieter than when we were here for the wrap party. The show is actually currently filming a series, and I was hoping an old friend of mine (Pat Sharp) would have been voted out by this stage so I could say hello. He hadn't. I moved on. He has now. 

Coolangata, looking back over a cloudy Surfers Paradise.

So after driving through Tweed Heads I was now south of the border and in New South Wales. I was really looking forward to getting to Byron Bay, a place I've always wanted to visit. Home to music festivals, fantastic beaches, and a reputation as a haven for living a laid-back lifestyle. It was all that and more. More being that just like the Gold Coast, Byron was enjoying the influx from *schoolies. I didn't stay there, but moved just up the coast to Suffolk Park. Thankfully at half the price of staying in Byron, and less schoolies to suffer. They were still there though and the group of about 10 camped next to me squealed and laughed and drank and sang well in to the night. Not too bad really.

*An Aussie tradition of high school leavers having weeks long holidays to celebrate the end of an era.

'To the beach' Suffolk Park, NSW

Byron Bay Lighthouse. Cape Byron is the most eastern point of mainland Australia.

Moo Moo, NSW

The drive from Brisbane down to Byron has to be one of the beautiful I've seen. The beaches of course, but it was the mountain ranges that constantly had me gazing left to right. From tea & banana plantations, to lakes and rivers, it was stunning. There's many markets in this region, and I was lucky to catch the one in Bangalow. Probably one of the best I've ever been to, unfortunately! I'm not meant to be spending extra $$$!!

You can buy anything at Bangalow Markets! 

Bangalow Markets, NSW

Back then to the coast, where I stopped for lunch at Lennox Head, and found a spot with a great view. I couldn't believe it when I saw a big pod of dolphins come in to play with the surfers. At one point the surfers all just lay on their boards and watched as the dolphins played around them. Then they all had a surf together. A fantastically unexpected sight to see.

Dolphins coming in to play

Dolphin? Shark? Dolphin.

Lennox Head, NSW

Simple Stats

Days since departure: 216
Distance travelled: 20,791km (+8701km for work)

Lizards run over: 12

Cane toads run over: 3

Cassowary spotted: 2

Snakes run over: 2

Portaloos towed: 2

Weeks worked as Runner on film: 10

Whale Sharks swum with: 2

Emergency mechanic stops: 3

Kangaroos hit: 0

Rum, Mango, Sun, Dingo,

This country of ours just keeps on giving. And in Queensland their just showing off!  So many beautiful clear white sandy beaches that have made a keen snorkeler out of me, (almost) more mango than I can handle, rain forests, bananas @ $1.99kg, never ending activities for an outdoor lifestyle, and lots of BIG things!

On my journey south from Airlie Beach the cane fields continued, and although I've heard them, I haven't seen one cane toad since I've been in the state. I'd planned to run over a lot more, but my killing things on the drive stats are well and truly down. Nonetheless, the pest has been immortalised in the small town of Sarina.

The BIG Cane Toad. Sarina, Qld.

I free camped a few nights along the way before finding somewhere to relax, wash, and re group again. Free camping has become my favourite thing. No noise, fresh air away from suburbia, and an expansive star filled night sky. Generally also, no toilet, shower or drinking water. Though some spots are more 'catered' than others. So it's important you see after a few days driving and sleeping in a van with no air conditioning, and the temperatures still very warm, to 're group'. When you can smell yourself and it's off, you have a problem!

I stayed in Bundaberg a night and was quite surprised. Firstly at how bad my geography was (I'd always thought it was a LOT further inland), and secondly that the place was so scenic. Cane fields, banana plantations, a river running through the town. There's a lot more to it than just the distillery.

And only a short drive away there are of course, beautiful beaches.

Elliot Heads, just outside Bundaberg.

The BIG Bundy Rum

I don't drink rum, but had to call in for a look anyway.

Bundaberg Distillery

My haul! Getting the diet Ginger Beer justifies the fudge. Definitely.

I LOVE tropical fruits, and these roadside sales are heaven!

From Bundaberg, my next stop was Hervey Bay. A haven for whale lovers with humpbacks in abundance, leaving just weeks before I got here. Another thing to add to the 'oh well, next time' list.

I stayed at a caravan park right on the beach, from van to water within a minute. Great location which is all I payed for I think. As with most caravan parks departure time is 10am. So why on earth would this one shut its amenities between 8-9.30am each day for cleaning?! Surely that's peak hour! Ridiculous.

The scenery as I drove over a hill towards Gympie was spectacular! Lush green hills as far as I could see. Taking a drive around the town wasn't ideal though, as every street I managed to climb seemed to land me at traffic lights on a crest, then of course down a hill, then up a hill, and so on.

My next stop was Noosa. Wow, wow, wow.  No wonder people come here for holidays and Tourism Australia like to brag about it. You know the story. Beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, surf beaches, great little and big shops. I'll definitely be back!

I took a day trip from here to the World Heritage listed Fraser Island. 123km in length, and 22kms wide, it's the worlds largest sand island. There hasn't been any rainfall up here for over 3 weeks which makes things pretty difficult on the drive. The rain helps the sand compact and makes getting around easier. With no rain, the sand was like a powder and was a real adventure to get through. To get there our drive began along the coast in the Great Sandy National Park and Rainbow Beach.

As we approached the ferry to cross over we passed 3 cars already bogged even before we got to the island. Then it was our turn.

They never said this trip would be all hands on deck!

I promise I helped out after I took the photo!

Rainbow Beach

The colours of Rainbow Beach

The queue on 75 Mile Beach Fraser Island waiting for the ferry back to the mainland

Sand like powder

Our guide was holding his breathe almost as much as we all were as we struggled our way up down and around bends, and he was apologising for the lack of rainfall and the conditions. He hadn't seen it like this for a very long time.

All the hard driving was worth it as we stopped for lunch and a swim at the freshwater  Lake McKenzie. Only a few minutes after arriving a curious dingo wandered down for a drink. The island is home to about 160 dingos which are the most purebred in the country. 10 years ago a 9 year old boy was killed by one on the island which consequently ended with 31 dingos being culled. 

Dingo makes his way to the water

And makes his way straight to the guy on all fours. Worrying!

Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island. White sand, clear blue water. Yes, more of the same.

A stroll through the rain forest after lunch before heading back to the mainland.

Fraser Island, Qld.

Fraser Island, Qld

Noosa

Kite surfing, Noosa

This guy was great! Kite surfing, Noosa, Qld.

Simple Stats

Days since departure: 210
Distance travelled: 20,276km (+8701km for work)

Lizards run over: 12

Cane toads run over: 3

Cassowary spotted: 2

Snakes run over: 2

Portaloos towed: 2

Weeks worked as Runner on film: 10

Whale Sharks swum with: 2

Emergency mechanic stops: 3

Kangaroos hit: 0

Beautiful Beaches

Some good news since my last blog. JC (my van) is feeling much better after  a day at the mechanics. Bad news, it cost a bloody fortune! Ho hum, at least I can continue my travels.

I had a great stay in Cairns at a bargain, yet quality backpackers. $13 a night including breakfast! I could have easily spent more time enjoying the town and surrounds, but will have to do that more once my brother moves to town soon and I use his bargain hospitality.

The lagoon pool, Cairns Esplanade

Cairns Esplanade

From Cairns I made the fairly short journey south to Mission Beach. A beautiful little seaside town with something to keep everyone entertained. Great bike paths, walking tracks, coffee shops, swimming (the stinger nets are out to keep you safe), and even skydiving for the adventurous. I'll admit, after watching a number of people come in to land, I gave it some thought. But that was as far as I got.

Mission Beach

Skydiving, Mission Beach

Coming in to land

Stinger net, Mission Beach

The BIG Cassowary, Mission Beach

I camped just south of here at a place called Hull Heads. This tiny seaside residence was hit hard in cyclone Yasi, with many houses now completely gone, and the remaining ones with hundreds of thousand dollar repair jobs. The spot where I camped overnight was completely covered during the storm, with sea levels rising to 4 metres.

Yasi wind swept, in Hull Heads

Perhaps for locals doing this drive, the neverending view of sugar cane could become quite monotonous, but for me, seeing the fields in varying stages of growth, with mountainous backdrops was beautiful. Depending on what stage the cane is at, it can stink a bit, but it just covers up the roadkill stench. There's alway an upside!

Sugar cane, Qld

Sugar cane train, Qld

The BIG Mango, Bowen, Qld

After a few days, and a brief stopover on Townsville, I made my way to one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations. Airlie Beach. The Whitsunday Islands are just off the coast, and of course the Great Barrier Reef is just a boat ride away.

As I drove toward town I stopped at a red traffic light on the outskirts. There waiting to cross the road was a friend I had made back in Canarvon, WA. almost 13,000km later. Neither of us could believe it!

Airlie Beach

Lagoon pool, Airlie Beach

Curlew Bird. It has the most horrendous screech that wakes you up at night.

Cruising through the Whitsunday Islands

I took a day trip out to the islands, stopping at one of the worlds top 10 beaches, Whitehaven Beach. The sand is 98% silica, so if ever you come this way ladies, bring your jewellery, it scrubs up really well. I think it's probably the most beautiful beach I have been to. The soft sand, crystal clear warm water, fish swimming all around. Not much to not like! We spent a few hours swimming here before heading out to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.

Whitehaven Beach, Qld

Fish at my feet

Seagulls keeping an eye on the fish

A little monitor joined us for lunch

Whitehaven Beach, Qld

You can sail, get a speed boat, chopper or plane to the beach

It's all mine!

Obviously I don't share everything that happens in my blog, but something that happened here can't be kept to myself. I was sitting with my Canadian friend watching the world go by, when a guy perched himself with his long lens camera right in front of us. He sat there taking photos for a least 5 minutes. We knew what he was watching of course, and had to call him on it. We asked "Did you get a good shot?" "Oh yes, I'm a very patient man, I could wait for hours". See for yourself his subject below.

Patient photographer, Whitehaven Beach, Qld

Well, it IS hot. Who needs clothes in this weather?!

Simple Stats

Days since departure: 200
Distance travelled: 18,945km (+8701km for work)

Lizards run over: 12

Cane toads run over: 3

Cassowary spotted: 2

Snakes run over: 2

Portaloos towed: 2

Weeks worked as Runner on film: 10

Whale Sharks swum with: 2

Emergency mechanic stops: 2

Kangaroos hit: 0