So we decide to give Byron Bay a try thinking it really can’t be that crowded. And it turns out we were right. We arrive in Byron and actually get some sunshine for a change and for the first time we see plenty of backpackers and travellers. Arriving at the caravan park we of course get the spot next to this middle aged German couple in a massive van. White socks in sandals, Bermuda shorts and a polo shirt, so it does not surprise me when he says to us “Wir koennen auch Deutsch sprechen”. These were about the only words we exchanged with them... We have the spot for 2 nights. It probably takes 10 minutes until a guy in his late forties comes over for a chat. Usual small talk takes place “Where are you from? How do you like Australia. Places you should def see on your travels are…” Again he mentions that Cairns is amazing! So our expectations rise, in spite for a comment from Kristof’s friend who told him “Cairns ist ein Wichsloch”. Well, we will see…
Anyway Byron Bay is a very cool town, situated directly by the water with lots of bars and shops. Surprisingly it’s not as packed as we thought it would be but I guess that’s because of the weather. It had been raining here a lot as well, so lots of people already decided to move on. After a few drinks we call it a day. Next morning I start my day with a swim under blue sky. Unfortunately the blue sky does not last long. At 9 first rain drops are falling again. Still, we head out to the Lighthouse and walk to the most easterly point of Australia. Tourist pictures are of course being taken…
At night we hit the nightlife. Getting the next round of drinks I walk up to the bar and the bar keeper asks me how the night is going ? Telling him that I’m a bit surprised of how few people there are around he recommends another bar for the night where there is life music later. It’s not exactly crowded either, but it still turns out to be good fun. Next morning it’s raining again – surprise! Apparently we are very unlucky with the weather but hearing the line “Mate, we have not had such a rainy spring in decades – this is very unusual” does not really help.
06/10 - Next stop – Surfers Paradise. We stay in Coolangata, the sun is shining, not much going on though. Highlight of the day: I put together my little tent for the first time, cup noodles for dinner – I guess you can sense the excitement of the day… Surfers Paradise exists of lots of high rise buildings and a beach which lies in the shade in the afternoon. A drive by seems enough for us to tick that box, so we head to Brisbane the next day.
07/10 – Brisbane welcomes us with sunshine. We park the van in the caravan park. We head into town with the bus to take a look around including a boat ride on the river and a beer at Murphy’s Irish pub. I really like Brisbane. It’s a very cool city. Back at the van we feel like we’re back in Germany. Germans everywhere. 1 am, it starts pouring down again and I have no choice but to retreat back into the van if I want to stay dry.
Early start on 08/10. It’s raining, and we head for Hervey Bay on Fraser Coast. 301 km later, it’s still raining. I have to admit that even I got a bit annoyed by now. 5 days of rain with only one exception, I’m going crazy! A give myself a minute to be annoyed before I start laughing. This weather really really sucks!!! Only solution – we’re going to drive as far north as it takes to find the sun. Our goal – Airlie Beach in the Whitsunday area, 1125 km north of Brisbane. As we are not allowed to drive through not up-built areas at night, we have to stop for the night at Agnes Water. What to say – it’s a really really weird place. In the middle of nowhere this caravan park has hardly any lights, so it’s completely dark and there is no mobile connection at all. “Internet? No, we don’t have that”. Great! We feel like in a scene of Hostel, or Agnes Water Chainsaw Massacre if you like! The owner takes us to our spot with a torch and promises us there will be Kangaroos hopping around the park in the morning. Well, what can I say, in Hostel the guys were also promised beautiful girls and a Spa treatment, before they were cut open by some psychos - Happy days.. It seems we got lucky though, we wake up the next morning, still alive. We take off as soon as we wake up. 700 km later we arrive in Airlie Beach. The climate is different and it seems to be a very nice place. Think we will stay here for a few days. The caravan park is nice and there are lots of young people around. Germans of course, but also a few French and English.
It's now 10 am, and it does look like it will start to rain any minute now - I'm not gonna comment on that....
Xoxoxoxoxoxo, love ya,
Jannepige
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