Hello NSW! Byron Bay - Coffs Harbour

Crossing the border into NSW we decided to start with a few day trips to Byron Bay, Lennox Head and Ballina.
Byron Bay was a little too touristy and busy for our liking. But we did enjoy heading up to the lighthouse and taking our photos at the most Eastern Point of Australia's mainland!

The most Eastern point of Mainland Auatralia!! 

The Byron Bay Lighthouse

Lennox Head and Ballina were nice to visit. I enjoyed the view from the lookout at Lennox head and even spotted quite a large shark lurking in the waters below..

Lennox head 

I also managed to visit pretty much every op shop from Byron to Ballina! They had such great stuff, and sooo cheap! Yes.. I probably ended up buying a little more than I needed!! But with so many bargains, I just couldn't resist! (Think I may just take after my dad when it comes to Op shopping sometimes.... ;))

From here we headed down towards Yamba for a few days.

Setting up camp in the nearby town of MacLean, we managed to get ourselves a lovely river frontage site. In no time at all we headed off to explore the little Scottish town of MacLean.

And yepppp.... There was more op shops to explore!

Our camp in Maclean 

Pretty! 

We had 3 of these friendly Lizards visit us daily 

Sunsets from our camp

Driving along Yambas Coast we found ourselves stopping at every single vantage point. The surf was HUGE and we spent quite some time watching the surfers ride the waves and other gigantic waves crash against the rocks.

Checking out the surf! 

Yes I did manage to avoid getting wet by this wave! 

We soon discovered a favourite locals and tourist spot.
Angourie Blue and Green pools. Located right alongside the beach, this gem of a place use to be a a quarry that supplied the rock to build the breakwater in Yamba. That is till one day back in 1890 when one of the machines used to dig the rock hit a natural spring... Quickly the large quarry filled with water! With no time to get the mining equipment and machinery out, the machinery till this day still lies at the bottom of these pools!
Unlucky for some.. But for the locals it soon became a great place to swim. With towering cliffs with ledges ranging from 5-15metres, it soon became a great spot to do some cliff jumping! 

Gary mid backflip! 

Tori and Ella taking a jump! 

Ella 

We spent two full days swimming and jumping from the various cliff ledges.
We even had plans to return for Australia Day.. but unfortunately the weather turned a little wet on us, so we ended up watching the local Billy Kart Derby Races in MacLean instead! 

Happy Australia Day! 

Fun with Ella's hair 

Go Kart Derby Fun!

Being towed back up the track! 

After five days exploring Yamba, we decided to head down to check out Coffs Harbour. 

Our first stop was the Carobana Chocolate Factory where we got to watch how giant slabs of honeycomb are made. We also got to to taste quite a few of the other products they make. From coconut rough, peppermint creams, assorted fudges and even special chocolates for your pets! There was quite a selection.

Next we visited the Big Banana and had a great time having a ride on the toboggans and visiting a candy shop to see how boiled lollies are made.. (Yepppp... More sugar!!) arghhh!! 

The Big Banana! 

Ready to ride!

Toboggan fun!

The view over Coffs Harbour

To finish off this very sugar filled part of our trip we then visited a Honey factory where we learnt all about Bees and how honey is made. We saw a beehive, and even managed to spot the Queen Bee amongst all the Worker Bees. 

The Honey Place, Urunga

Tori checking out a beehive 

There was also plenty of different types of honey for us to try. From your standard honey to the more peculiar mint, lime, chilli and even coffee flavoured honey! As strange as they sound they were all quite nice. (Though I'm not sure I would want any of them spread on my morning Breakfast!) 

After our factory/sugar fixes it was time to go burn some of that extra energy off. What better way to do it than to head inland along the Waterfall Way, to see some stunning waterfalls, countryside and do some hiking! 

Xx 

Back down the QLD Coast

After leaving Cairns we just had to revisit one of our favourite swimming holes. 

Josephine Falls, with its natural rock waterslides, and stunning backdrop, we had a a fun time cooling off in the crystal clear waters.

Tori especially enjoyed herself and just did not stop climbing up the rocks and then sliding back down! 

Josephine Falls

Sliding down the natural waterslides

After a action packed day, we headed back to a great little camp that we had now stayed at 3 times for an overnight stay. 

Rollingstones Campground, about 50km north of Townsville is a great spot with plenty of room, shade, and a creek running alongside. 

Rollingstones Campground 

Tori playing in the creek at Rollingstones 

The next day we headed back down towards Mackay where we enjoyed another swim in the man made lagoon in the town centre.

Mackays Lagoon 

Ella 

In Rockhampton we visited the free Zoo and watched the Chimpanzees being fed iceblocks to keep them cool in the rather warm weather.

We also watched a rather cheeky Chimp run up and down the glass knocking on it right infornt of us, playing games that I'm sure he was doing to entertain us!

Rockhampton Zoo 

We loved the Chimpanzees! 

A chimp enjoying an Iceblock 

Koala 

Probably best not to swim here ;) 

Travelling long days, we had decided to make a big move down south with plans to cross the border into NSW within the week. 

We stopped at a beautiful free camp along the Calliope river for the night and relaxed whilst watching the sunset. 

We even saw our first ever Firefly!!! Super cool!!!! 

Calliope River 

From here we once ahead headed back to the Gold Coast so we could make the most of our theme park passes. 

A few days were spent revisiting our favourite paeks and the girls and I had a go at negotiating the various balancing beams on the 3 level high Sky Walk. 

Revisiting Dreamworld 

The skywalk at SeaWorld 

After seeing the fire fly I was reminded of a place I had intended to see last time we was down in the southern QLD region. 

Springbrook National Park and the Natural Bridge where not only is it meant to be breathtaking during the day, but also 1000's of glow worms light up the huge cave at night! 

We drove up and down the winding steep roads and through some beautiful country sides. 

Arriving at our free camp at Bochow Park for the night, complete with a large flowing deep creek, a big grassy area with a playground for the kids, it was a great spot to set up for the night. 

As soon as the sun went down, we drove the short 4kms to Natural Bridge. A short walk later we arrived at the large cave. With a waterfall flowing directly through a large hole in the top, this place was just beautiful! 

We spent atleast an hour watching as 1000's of glow worms lit up the cave. Amazing! 

Glow Worms 

Early the next morning I once again headed back to this special spot to see it again, but this time in daylight. Again, it was just amazing and certainly one of my favourite places in QLD! 

Natures Bridge. So pretty!!

The Waterfall that flows through a hole in the Cave roof from the top

From here we drove the few short, winding kilometres to the QLD/NSW border! 

After 16,427kms travelling QLD and a huge 53,263kms in total... We were finished exploring QLD and ready to start some new adventures in NSW! 

Goodbye QLD... Hello NSW! 

Xx