Fri, 13th Oct, 2023 New Italy Rest Area, Pacific Motorway, NSW to Cathy & Rod’s place, North Tamborine, Qld (Most easterly point of Australia, Byron Bay)

Quiet spot, just a bit of road noise from the trucks in the distance. A few more travellers have pulled in during the night. Nice temp, min 18 degrees.

Headed back onto the motorway and continued north. More sugar cane and hills. Saw another sugar mill at Broadwater as we crossed the big bridge over the Richmond River.

On the fuel app it showed $2.21/L diesel at Broadwater but we missed the turn to get off the motorway and it appears there is only the one exit. Oh well. We continued on to a motorway truck stop out of Ballina and paid $2.29/L. When I went to pay he said because we have spent over a certain about we receive 8 cents off and two free chocolates so that was great.

Continued on through lovely green rolling hills, like the Tablelands.

Through St Helena Tunnel.

Down a hill and we can see the Pacific Ocean.

Took the exit to Byron Bay.

As we headed in we were greeted with a sign ‘Cheer Up, Chill Out’. Though as we drove through ‘town’ it was all busy and congested so I think they need to do a new sign! Nice trees then we see the sea.

We headed up the narrow road - not suitable for caravans and we can see why. I got confused following Wikicamps and headed down the road which took us to Wategos Beach. Took a quick photo as there was no where to park then we turned around.

Unfortunately it was straight back up a hill then a sharp left turn which took Steve 2 goes to get around - I am not in the good books! Luckily the next bit of road is one way which helped. Made it to the top and the lighthouse. Nice view over the water.

A ranger met us and asked if we wanted to park as it was $10. We had passed a couple of parking areas on the way up that were just off the road but I think you had to pay there too. I said yes and he showed us a spot for our big rig. He said he gets heaps of motorhomes up here too. We are glad we came early then. There is a walking track up from the town but this was much better. View up to the lighthouse, the keepers houses and view back across the top of Wategos Beach then beyond the hill is Byron Bay. Then across to the mountains further over.

The Museum wasn’t open yet so read the info outside. Not much difference to the photo I just took, looking up at the lighthouse.

Put on our boots and headed up to the lighthouse. Trig marker at the top.

Great view back over the houses and the lighthouse with its castle look.

Grand front to the lighthouse too.

300m walk to the ‘most easterly point of Australia’. Down the steps first. Tried a selfie with the wind was trying to blow our hats off.

Looking down on the rocks below then left to another point going north. A lady offered to take our photo.

This finishes the points for us as we have stood at The Tip at Cape York, South East Cape, Tasmania, Mt Oberon, Wilson’s Promontory, Vic (didn’t hike the 17km down to the southern tip of mainland Australia), Steep Point, West Australia and even the centre at Lamberts Centre in NT.

We continued the walk down the steps. Bush chook came out to say hello. Nice view across the end of Little Wategos Beach.

Backed up a bit then then turned off to walk to the point of this peninsula. There is a track down to Little Wategos Beach.

Down to the point. Looking back up to the top viewing area of the easterly point.

View back to Byron Bay then around.

Now the climb back up again. Steve rounded the corner and met someone coming down. We stopped and let him pass.

Continued on and heard a noise and another one was coming through the bush.

Back to the easterly point. Stood and chatted with a couple who had just spotted a whale breach. We saw it too but I missed getting a photo.

I got them to take a photo on my phone so I could post it on Facebook. Still windy.

Walked back then down to another lookout platform. My camera’s battery went flat. Lucky I have my phone as camera backup for the last few pictures.

View over to Byron from the lighthouse.

Back to the lighthouse complex for a cuppa and yummy carrot cake. A little friend was hanging around.

Better shot of the lighthouse showing the actual light.

We thanked the ranger and headed back down the road. Got a quick photo of the beach.

Through town again and back out to the M1 again.

Nice green pastures and hills and more sugar cane as we continued northward.

Over the Tweed River and my phone has changed times already and we hadn’t entered Queensland yet. 11.25 back to 10.25am.

Across the Tweed River again then through the Tugun Bypass Tunnel.

Missed the Welcome to Queensland sign! Got the Gold Coast one instead.

Into big roadworks on the motorway. Traffic - this is why we prefer inland Australia.

Continued along with all the vehicles, slow and steady then eventually back on normal motorway and we zoomed up to Nerang. Know this area well from all the BMX competitions Jon had down here.

We drove down to the Nerang River for lunch - a bit early Qld time but we were hungry as our stomachs were still on NSW time. More friends arrived to try and share our lunch.

Programmed ‘Girlie’ and she wanted us to go up another road so I rang John & Julie to check which was the best for us to climb up to Mount Tamborine. He said best is to go up to Beenleigh then come back down to Tamborine Village then up or second is up from Movie World area to North Tamborine which we have taken before when we visited Cathy & Rod. Decided that way and headed back onto the motorway and then turned off past Movie World which seems to have a lot more roller coasters then when we were there.

Still a hard pull up the hills but the temperature was ok with the fans going and not pushing the revs too high so Steve was happy. The wind has picked up. Turned off at North Tamborine and drove down to John & Julie’s place at Mount Tamborine. So great to see them both again. Had a cuppa and chatted away the afternoon. They have a lovely home with fabulous gardens that John loves pottering in. Met their grandson and Julie’s mum, who are staying with them and Julie’s sister who was visiting.

We drove back and stopped at a lookout which turned out to be a hang glider launch area. The wind nearly blew me over.

There was also an interesting sculpture and a plaque celebrating 150 years of surveying in 2009.

Very hazy view.

I rang Cathy to see if they were home so we could pop in but they were in Adelaide at a conference and wouldn’t be home till tomorrow. She said to park up next to the house any case for the night which was lovely as it would be a windy drive down the mountain otherwise.

Set up camp.

We had a nice quiet evening except for the sound of the wind in the big gum trees lining the road which we are glad we aren’t parked under.