Our plan for the day was to only travel a short distance to the last freebee stop for our travels being a nature reserve just south of Tweed Heads. After driving pretty much through suburbia on leaving the caravan park our first stop along the way was the famed Byron Bay. A very touristy town with the usual clutter of souvenir, art and craft and trendy clothes shops etc. We had intended driving up to the lighthouse but after following all the signs to get there we were confronted with a “No Caravans Past this Point” sign. Doh!! Oh well, back to the town where after a bit of a struggle we found somewhere to park the van. Most of the town area is angle or parallel parking with a 6m length restriction and even the information centre made no provision for vans. All the hassles aside we finally managed to find a park and go for a good walk around the popular part of the town and of course the beach.
Then it was back on the road with a diversion through Brunswick Heads and the tourist road to our camp for the night. Once again this is one of those interesting spots that although very close to civilization you are able to camp at – for no more than 24 hours though. On arrival we were greeted by the resident population of hens, roosters and a token peacock which no doubt will be interesting come the early hours of the morning. The location is definitely in the country though with the forest reserve on one side and sugar cane fields on the other.
Since leaving Shoal Bay we have not really been inspired by what we have seen as it has predominantly been beachside towns/cities and the associated population and suburbia that goes with it. Thursday we will be heading into the Gold Coast to a caravan park that we have booked into for a couple of weeks. Hopefully during that time we can find a buyer for the van and if not – well who knows at this stage...
