Mum's Aussie Adventure Days 19 - 21

Monday 23rd March 2015
 

After a quick stop in the town of Byron Bay, we started our mammouth hike to the most easternly point of mainland Australia.  I remembered it was a tough walk but with all of the ups and downs came sensational views of the surrounding bays.  The last climb was particularly difficult but all of the hard work paid off with a sighting of a turtle part way along and then a pod of dolphins playing in the waves when we finally reached our destination.  It was amazing to see a couple of dolphins leaping from the sea like surfers catching the waves.

 

Continuing to the lighthouse we had one last burst of energy before resting and eating ice cream for around an hour in the shade.
 

The walk back seemed easier, mainly because we had one less 'up' and when we arrived back in town we bought toasties and chocolate brownie which we enjoyed back at the apartment in front of the much deserved air conditioning along with cold drinks!
 

We took advantage of having time for a long rest, showering, reading and napping and in the early evening we went to the beach for sunset.  It was as magnificent as I remembered it being with drummers and a trumpeter/saxophonist providing a relaxing accomniment. 
 

 

We wandered around looking for an appealing restaurant but ended up plumping for a straightforward packet of fish and chips on the beach front.  Finishing the night back at the apartment we played cards and drank cider.

Tuesday 24th March 2015

Time to move on again so with one last drive round Byron Bay, including a look at the YHA, we then headed out of town and stopped off at Tweed Heads where we had some morning tea.  We returned to the car along the waters edge where we found some dragon boats being set up for a later event. 
 

The last leg of driving seemed to take up a lot of concentration so I was exhausted by the time we reached the YHA even though it was only lunchtime!  After beans on toast and an hour's power nap I was ready and raring to go once again so we wandered through the city to Jamie's Italian for dinner.  Although initially we weren't keen on sitting on the stools, we ended up enjoying being at the anti-pasti bar, watching the orders rolling in and the meticulous preperation involved by the two chefs.
 

On the way home we crossed the river by the glowing treasury building and walked along the wooden walkway all the way to William Jolly bridge which was next to the YHA.
 

Wednesday 25th March 2015

Waking quite early I finished my book before heading into the city.  I managed to capture the 'Superman' roads - no wonder I impressed myself driving on them when we first arrived in Brisbane! 
 

Today, outside the Treasury Building there was a mouth-watering food market but we managed to restrain ourselves, only buying one cake each, because we were aiming to do a boat cruise which departed from the Southbank. While we waited for the boat to arrive, we polished off our cakes and had a quick wander before our 90 minute cruise along to Hamilton.  It was a pleasant journey but we both agreed that the commentry was very forgetable!  Nonetheless, we enjoyed the views and it was a chance to just 'sit'!
 

Back on dry land we grabbed some lunch and discussed whether we'd like to see a mucical on one of our last evenings together.  After lots of umming and ahhing, we decided to see Wicked in Brisbane over Les Mis in Sydney so we passed a new, moving dinosaur outside the museum to buy tickets.
 

In the evening, we dined at the theatre and we were so pleased we'd made the decision to go to the theatre here.  The show was stunning - a real feel-good show and our seats were fantastic - really close to the stage.  We were buzzing, if a little tired, when we left the theatre and our memorable evening was finished of by seeing flying foxes swooping overhead as we returned to the hostel.
 

 

You were given this life because you were strong enough to live it.