Road Rules: Sydney to Brisbane

I didn't realize Mercedes makes camper vans... apparently they do as that is what we've been driving, sleeping, eating in for the past 8 days / 1,022 kilometers / 639 miles, up the coast of Australia from Sydney to Brisbane.

Our first stop was Hunter Valley, the Australian wine country, where we sampled sparkling red wine (a first for Erin and I) followed by dinner with an Aussie family who Brad coaches in tennis (Brad and Marcus are our travel companions and thankfully do all of the driving as well).

Next stop, South West Rocks, a quaint beach town housing a famous old jail that sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean. After wandering around the jail grounds, we loaded ourselves back into the camper to make the drive to Byron Bay - one of the best beach towns I've ever been. Backpackers, surfers, and Indigenous people sit in coffee shops and cafes, in between spending time on the gorgeous coastline. A ship that has sunk just off the coast, provides one of the most famous surf spots in Australia, to which we had a view from where we were camped.
The next five days were spent in Byron, beginning with the famous "Blues and Roots Festival" (a week long concert featuring everyone from John Mayer and Wolfmother to The Roots and Paul Kelly (the Australian Bob Dylan). It rained both days we attended, which lead to mud everywhere (I don't know if my shoes will ever recover) and Marcus and Brad decided to try out some mud sliding.

My favorites at the concert included Missy Higgins (Aussie), John Butler Trio (Aussie), Katchafire (Kiwi), and Ben Harper who closed out the show and brought Jack Johnson out for a guest appearance, while everyone danced/sang along in the rain.

The last two days in Byron began with a breakfast of Lowens (oat cereal with dried fruit), followed by "boot camp" on the beach (the boys do this in Sydney and decided Erin and I should join in) which consists of a run through the soft sand on the beach, a swim in the ocean, and then sit-ups, push-ups, etc. The rest of the day was spent with some beach time, a walk along the coast with some other friends of Marcus and Brad, named Paul (Aussie) and Adriana (Brazilian).

Our last day in Byron we decided to make a trip to the Hinterland (inland) and check out the town of Nimbin. Imagine Australia as a country that is slightly hippie-esque and this town as the capital. Nimbin makes the Haight look like Pacific Heights. The entire town is trying to reform the marijuana laws. Rainbows, dreadlocks, bare feet, it felt as though we were in a movie set. These pictures don't do the place justice.

For my last dinner in Bryon, the boys said we had to try some Kangaroo. This was slightly difficult after having seen more than a few on our drive and never having thought of kangaroo as a meal... but I'm all about trying new things on this trip so for anyone who would like to give it a go, it tastes somewhat like steak with more of a gamy aftertaste.

Leaving Byron, we stopped at a wildlife preserve and were able to see many animals I have never seen/heard of before. We also were able to see some crocodiles and koalas as close as I have ever been (and as close as I would be comfortable, to the croc).

Next on the route was lunch on the Gold Coast / Surfers Paradise, which reminds me of Waikiki (high rises just off the sand), before making our final stop on the camper van tour in Brisbane.

If Sydney were New York City, then Brisbane would be Boston. It feels slightly more slow paced and even more of a suburban feel with tree lined neighborhood streets surrounding the water, and parks scattered throughout.

I had to say goodbye to Erin, Marcus, and Brad, to venture on my own for a one night stop in Perth (on the western coast of Australia) before heading on to Bali. Perth is another great city, and like the others, very suburban/park like atmosphere even with the downtown area high rises.

To close out my tour of Australia, my taxi driver taught me some more key Aussie phrases/terms: sheila (girl), bloke (boy), "She'll be apples" (no worries), "laid flat out like a lizard drinkin'" (sitting around drinking... I'm serious, this is what he told me it means), "good on ya" (nice work).

Much love for Australia!