Tuesday January 6th, 2009 Coloundra to Woolgoolga

We awoke this morning to a beautiful sunny, hot day (31 C most of the day). A few nice little fluffy clouds in the sky. After a quick breakfast in our room we were off to see what we could see today and still get to Coff’s Harbour this evening (or rather to Woolgoolga NSW). As we were booting it down the freeway, Barb saw a sign for “Surfers’ Paradise”. Figuring this to be a good place for sun, sand and waves – we headed off the highway and followed the signs. We were shocked to see a great number of very tall buildings, and even more shocked to find ourselves driving right towards them. Anyway – we found the beach – and it truly is a magnificent beach, then right across the street are hundreds of Condo’s and tall hotels – all advertising a beach view! We wandered down the beach for a while, watching the surf school students, and this neat boy and girl doing some sand sculpture. The little girl was amazingly patient, but at the end of about an hour she got up and walked away – wrecking the sculpture. Mind you – I think the waves would have done the trick in about another ½ hour anyway.
Then we were back in the car and headed towards Byron Bay – after a few instructions from a helpful garage attendant. The signs going back are not nearly as clear!
Next stop Byron Bay – another surfer’s beach where we had a late lunch. (Late because we had crossed into New South Wales and lost an hour!) Also late because the traffic was incredible! We enjoyed our stay there, watching the surfers, and everyone else who was frequenting the beach, then were off again – next stop – our motel in Woolgoolga.
The scenery along the way was again beautiful, with lots of lush forests and hills intermingled with fields of sugar cane and grazing cattle. Our motel is a lovely little motel, unfortunately – no A/C and no Internet, but it is only one night! Actually – a little later I checked out wifi – and got on someone’s unsecured site. Thanks to that someone!
We went out for a drive around the town, and found this wonderful view point overlooking Solitary Islands Marine Park, then out for wonderful Thai food at a local restaurant. The busiest place in town!