We had heard a great deal about Byron Bay; it’s social scene and how many backpackers liked it. In the daytime it was a surfer’s paradise and in the evening it was a backpacker town. It was difficult with a van and a car to get right into the middle of it though, we didn’t want to pay for a campsite which would cost us thirty dollars for the night. We found a campground outside the centre and took a taxi into Byron Bay. It was time for us all to let our hair down for a bit, we spruced ourselves up as much as our travel clothing could allow and headed to the liveliest bar we could find. After a few games of pool, chatting to some other travellers and many freshly poured drinks later, it was time to head back to camp. I mention the freshly poured drinks as you could probably tell we were used to goon by now in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There is nothing quite like someone making you a fresh cocktail and particularly for us Brits; pouring you a fresh pint.
After having a fun night, we slept in the following morning, of course, and after reviving ourselves back to our full capable human brains; it was onwards and upwards. Literally, up the coast. Our car and tent and the camper were going to be tricky when we got to Brisbane, so we made sure we had an AirBnB booked for our stay in a few days time. Next up the coast was an actual place called surfer’s paradise; the Gold Coast. This reminded me a lot of Miami, in a way, with different water ways which you’d see multiple yachts people had bought along with their riverside house. There was a campsite we had found right in the middle of the Gold Coast, it was prime location. We did pay for it, but nothing like what any of the fancy camps were. It was perfect for a couple of nights stay. There are loads of bars and restaurants close by with a long stretch of beach, which we could relax on during the day. It was nice and restful before we were to continued into the city of Brisbane.
Since we had a few nights there was definitely more food and more drinks to be had. I think the goon may have made an appearance again. What a shock to the system this was. We even ate out one night as well at a restaurant that came highly recommended. Just as a treat. After Brisbane we knew our time with the couple and the camper wasn’t going to be very long. We wanted to spend some quality time together before we were to part ways.
When we got to the AirBnB in Brisbane, we spent three nights here. On the first night the others just wanted to relax in the apartment, taking in the full benefits of having four walls and a roof over our heads for once. There was use of a fully equipped kitchen, where they made and prepared a big meal, as well as a washing machine so that we could get bits and pieces refreshened. Whilst they were basking in the glory of their new kingdom, my brother at the time was living with his current girlfriend in Brisbane. It was time for me to see him after a good seven months and to meet her for the first time as well. I drove through the city to their apartment, I picked them up and we had a burgers in the evening together. The following day we all headed together to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Here was a chance to feed Kangaroos and you could hold a koala bear if you wanted t. Definitely worth a visit if you’re stopping off in Brisbane.
It was amazing spending time with my brother as I hadn’t seen him in so long. But it was even harder to say goodbye. Not knowing the next time that I was going to be seeing him again. It’s actually quite difficult when this happens with family. On a Skype call it’s completely different, because you know that there will just be another Skype call soon and you haven’t seen them face to face. But actually seeing them, and being able to hug them, and then after that not knowing when you’re going to be seeing each other again; it’s quite difficult. It definitely pulls on the heartstrings more than expected. Which is so silly because we would both be returning to the UK in April time anyway. At this stage was only two and a half months away
Nia and I went off on our own whilst we were in Brisbane, to give the couple a bit of alone time, as well as to explore the city. We took a water taxi along the river, we went across to South Bank to have some lunch, explored the markets in the day and we did a bit of shopping for some extra items we needed. Brisbane was actually a really nice city, I really enjoyed it. It has lots of things to be able to do. I will touch on this in another blog when I dive into the finer details a bit deeper. For our final trip with the couple; we organised a day trip to visit the island just off the coast called Tangalooma. It was a full day with snorkelling of a shipwreck, fish lunch buffet and time to explore the white sandy shores of this deserted island. It was the perfect way to finish off our time together, before we were to part ways. This was a bit more difficult for Nia, as she has been her old UNI friend for many years. We would see each other soon though, I was sure, but for now it was time to continue up the East Coast of Australia on our own.
LEAH HANCOX 