Gold Coast

EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA ROAD TRIP

Australia Road Trip

After flying cross country from Perth, we landed in Brisbane! We stayed a few days in the Gold Coast and then took a road trip down to Newcastle, stopping along the way in Burleigh Heads, Nimbin and Byron Bay.

A surf at Burleigh Heads. Note Surfers Paradise (all those tall buildings) in the background. 

A surf at Burleigh Heads. Note Surfers Paradise (all those tall buildings) in the background. 

Burleigh Heads
The beach at Burleigh Heads.

The beach at Burleigh Heads.

We of course made sure to hit all of the important cultural landmarks... including this giant shrimp and a big banana.

White girls can't jump. 

White girls can't jump. 

Big Banana
We also had a pit stop in Nimbin, an ultra-hippie little village.

We also had a pit stop in Nimbin, an ultra-hippie little village.

Byron-Bay-Lighthouse

Byron Bay was as stunning as I remembered it. Though the main things I remember from my time there (when I was 22) was an outstanding chai latte I drank and coming THISCLOSE to winning a limbo contest at a bar called Cheeky Monkeys. Which just goes to show you that memory is a strange thing and it's important to take photos. 

Byron Bay
Scott-Byron-Bay
If you squint here, you can see a dolphin jumping out of the water. (!!!)

If you squint here, you can see a dolphin jumping out of the water. (!!!)

Byron-Bay
Rachel-Byron-Bay
The local flora, which appears to be exotic pinecones. 

The local flora, which appears to be exotic pinecones. 

Byron Bay Water

Along with pods of dolphins, I also saw lone lurking sharks so Byron Bay was a mix of magical and terrifying.