When we returned to Cairns from the reef, we rented a car to head up to Daintree to make use of our tent and sleeping bags. After crossing the river on a short ferry ride, you enter a very remote and humid retreat with possibly more crocodiles than humans. We camped out at Noah’s Beach, and the location was picturesque. The site was 10 meters from a secluded, beautiful beach and surrounded by rainforest. We shared the campsite with two baby cassowaries and loved the constant sounds of birds and frogs. We went on a couple hikes but spent most of our time on the beach. Despite the croc warning signs, we jumped in the water a few times. It was a really eerie feeling, especially when the wind picked up and muddled the water a bit. Needless to say we were in and out of in a couple minutes.
After a few days of relaxation, we decided to pack up the car and head west towards Atherton Tablelands, where Ricky spent a month with his field studies program. Our guidebook steered us towards the small town of Yungaburra. We stayed in a log cabin backpacker place and our days consisted of visiting Millaa Millaa falls for a quick dip, renting bikes for a 20k ride to see Lake Barrine and a massive curtain fig tree, and playing ping pong. We enjoyed the slow pace and friendly folks, not to mention the lovely landscape of rolling hills and rainforest.
We headed back to Cairns for a couple days before our flight south to Brisbane. We soaked up the city’s great weather and spent a day testing out didgeridoos. Store owners were happy to give free lessons and we actually caught on quickly. Then off to Brisbane. We stayed in the city for four nights and checked out the markets, toured the XXXX Brewery, and went to an Australian Rugby League game. Brisbane Broncos won! The game was a lively place, entertained by the game and rants of the Aussie fans towards the players and refs.
From Brisbane we took the train east to the Gold Coast, and ended up in paradise… Surfers Paradise that is. We made a new friend there who was gracious enough to put us up for a few days and spoil us with the best sushi meal of our lives. It was great to get back to the coast, and the view from the apartment we were at was literally a dream; a bit of an upgrade from our hostels :) 360 degrees of beach, river, city and mountains. We soaked in the luxury and the beautiful weather, and I knew we were in for a treat as Byron Bay was next on the agenda. Thank you all for the Birthday wishes! It was an absolutely wonderful day in Byron and I wish you all could have been there with me :)
We have been at Byron for five nights and it has definitely lived up to the glory that everyone raves about. It is super chilled out and the beach is fantastic. The sand is white powder and the perfect sets of waves are never-ending. We’ve stayed at a backpacker’s lodge called the Arts Factory and everyone is warm, welcoming and very alternative. We spent three nights in a ten-person teepee and kept warm by a wood burning stove. Spent most of our days playing frisbee at the beach, hiking to the most eastern tip of Australia where whales were a plenty, and joined a drum circle today for some lessons. Honestly, its easy to see how people come for two nights and stay twenty years. But rest assured, we are moving on as we have a flight to Sydney in the morning. But Byron Bay is on the top of the list of places to return and I highly recommend it to all.
We are excited to continue our adventures, although in a bit colder of climates. Not sure what our plans are for Sydney, other than checking out the Opera House, harbor and possibly more beaches. Shouldn’t be too rough, hehe. I’ll keep posting (hopefully more frequently than lately). Lots of love!
We have saved money by cooking for ourselves, and it’s been a blast constantly surprising ourselves with our dining creations. Here are some favorites:
Loaded chili baked potatoes, Fajitas, Gold Coast Prawn Ceviche, Ham and Cheese Croissants, Tuna Melts w/ tomato soup, and last night’s Beef Strogonaugh!
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