Leave the tranquility of Lady Elliot Island and fly via Bundaberg back to Brisbane, where we have a night before picking up our camper van for the journey south down the Gold Coast. We hadn't given much thought to Brisbane, other than it would be a biggish city, but not Melbourne, not Sydney. What we find surprises us- a vibrant, humming central business district with a waterfront lined with über-cool bars and restaurants, tree-lined walkways and a great free ferry service that shuttles to and fro between various points across the harbour. A place the size of Adelaide with the vibe and vigour of Melbourne, and then some. We were sorry to be saying goodbye so soon.
The next phase of the trip - the drive south down the Gold Coast ending in Sydney - is perhaps the closest we've come so far to disappointment. The weather doesn't help - grey and damp a fair bit of the time - nor do some of the worst motorway roads we've come across in a long time, the tall, skinny little Toyota wallowing and bucking alarmingly through the ruts and cracks in the carriageway. But to be honest, the real problem wasn't so much the travel as the destination(s). Stay the first night just outside Byron Bay, the second at Port Macquarie, and don't exactly fall in love with either. BB is oh-so self-consciously hippy dippy twee, not to mention being in the throes of an invasion of schoolies (Australia's equivalent of the end of term exodus of sixth form students on a bender to Newquay). PP has an altogether more sober view of itself, and boasts a lovely beach, but on a grey, overcast Sunday it looks pretty much like any other seaside resort enduring a wet weekend, and to our eyes seemed, frankly, rather dull.
For our final stop en route we head inland from the coast to the peaceful little town of Katoomba in the Blue Mountains north of Sydney, and suddenly the journey seems all too worthwhile - stunning vistas, waterfalls, sunshine and walks in fresh mountain air. Our last taste of wilderness Australia before Sydney.
And what of the camper van experience itself? Turns out to be rather like living inside a Rubik's cube - forever moving A to get at B, but in the process getting in the way of C with the result that before long the whole van needs to be off-loaded and re-packed just to make a cup of tea. Nerves and tempers fray, beautiful friendships get put under stress. Admittedly we were starting to get a handle on it by the end of our very short trip, and with a bigger van and a bit more nouse no doubt things would be different. For the time being, though, once is probably enough.
I remember Katoomba- lovely little place and yes indeed some breathtaking views!
ReplyDeleteGood to learn about your camper experience- doesn't sound like you're quite ready to pack in the house and acquire a van back home then? I'm sure Tim would be very happy to give you some pointers ;) xx
¡Amigos mios!
ReplyDeleteLove the description of the campervan experience - and pleased to see a pic of you both still together and smiling... I think Hanna has nailed that one for me!
The weather here, of course, is so much better than yours... clear blue skies, gentle breezes and balmy temperatures...
I am impressed, of course, by the use of the umlaut :)
Keep on smiling!
Sx