Location: New South Wales & Queensland, Australia
Summary: A long travel day from Port Macquarie to Brisbane brought a mix of drizzle, roadside stops, & coastal views. From Woolgoolga shakes to Byron Bay’s lighthouse and finally a warm Brisbane evening, it turned into a journey with plenty to note before settling in for the night.
We left Port Macquarie this morning after a very forgettable night in what can only be described as a very ordinary hotel. The lumpy spring mattress gave me a stiff back, and just as I finally managed to drift off, I was woken by someone trying to get into my room instead of their own. Breakfast didn’t redeem things either, bland, limited, and not worth lingering over. To top it off, the morning started with drizzle, which matched the mood perfectly.
Once on the road, things improved. By mid‑morning we had stopped for a coffee break at Woolgoolga and I treated myself to a Banana Chai Shake at the Beachouse.com café. Easily the best part of the morning and a welcome lift after the rough start.
We were there for around an hour before rejoining the coach and heading further north towards Byron Bay.
Byron Bay
I joined the group of people who visited the lighthouse at Byron Bay. The views were impressive the grey skies had cleared, and I was able to walk around the lighthouse grounds taking photos of the lighthouse and the beautiful coastline. Lots of the others walked down to a viewpoint further down the cliffs but I only made it to the first viewpoint. I got some great photos from there but didn't think I would make the climb back up from the lower down viewpoint and made my way back to the lighthouse where I waited for the others to return.
We took the coach back to Byron Bay and were dropped off and told we had forty minutes to look around. A few of the others walked towards the beach further down the road, I made a quick stop at Woolworths to grab a drink. I sat outside and rehydrated, it was getting much hotter. I noticed a tattoo parlour opposite Woolworths where I was sitting. It was called Sharkys and I had to take a photo, given my nickname of Sharky in Spain.
Brisbane
The coach returned and everybody, accounted for we set off for Brisbane.
By the time we reached the city, the weather had finally turned. Sunshine and high temperatures were expected for the evening, a big improvement from the drizzle we’d left behind in Port Macquarie. We checked into the hotel, and I went to my room to rest my aching legs.
After a while I went to reception to ask to borrow a USB lead adaptor so I could charge my phone. I also asked if I could have a room with a shower rather than a bath. The receptionist told me the hotel had no rooms that had disabled access showers and made a big deal about lending me a lead but eventually lent me one. Michael one of our group, told me he had two spare leads, but he would rather not lend one to me. Thanks for that Michael, why did you bother to tell me you had two spare ones if you didn't want to lone me one?
I went back to my room and read the hotel brochure which told me that the majority of the hotel rooms had showers not baths, I believe the receptionist was just being awkward. After resting again, I went to the hotel restaurant and had a steak dinner, it was very satisfying after a long day on the road and easily the best meal I had had so far had in Australia. After a cold beer I went back to my room and went to bed. I was quickly asleep and slept very well in a great comfortable bed.
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