An unexpected week off work emerged on my calendar with just two weeks of notice right before Easter. I scanned the map for somewhere to go – my one goal to find somewhere where the sun was shining and not a drop of rain was forecast. Melbourne was sunny, but it was Melbourne. Cairns was borderline, but required a flight and I didn’t want to deal with airports (turned out this was even wiser than I’d anticipated). I was keen to hit the open road, and take my Blue wheels for a decent spin.
Two possibilities emerged – western NSW, out to Mungo and back; or south eastern Queensland. Both are places I’ve wanted to explore. I chose to head north, given I was more in the mood for rainforest than desert, and that accommodation at short notice was a lot easier to find along the coast than out west.
I started the journey with only a loose plan to see Lamington National Park and Glass House Mountains, deciding my journey at the start of each day. So, with the first night booked for Bellingen and nothing more, I set off.
Dorrigo national park
I wanted to get to Queensland as fast as possible, but I try not to drive more than six hours in one day – especially since we’re well into Autumn and the sun is setting sooner. Heading off at midday, I powered my way to Bellingen, arriving shortly after sunset. The recent rains were evident in the quality of the road surfaces. Dodging potholes was tricky business in the darkness of the final twenty minutes.
The next day I whipped up the road to Dorrigo where I hiked down into the depths of the rainforest and found myself surrounded by spooky mist and lush green vines, palms, figs and more.
Given the park sits on a stretch of road named Waterfall Way, it’s no surprise that there’s an abundance of waterfalls of all shapes and sizes. I only had time for a couple, but Dangar Falls was the most impressive. I even encountered a Red-Belly Black Snake along the way, and took far too many photos of Booyong trees.
Byron Bay
Byron was a sleep stop and little more. I didn’t have the energy (or time) for another six hour drive so I stopped half way. I had never been to Byron Bay before, and it was about what I expected. I arrived just before sunset and so had only enough time to dart to the beach, and then do a short loop around the town. I simultaneously understood why it was so popular, and why it was so loathed.
It’s pretty, for sure – but there are thousands of equally stunning spots up and down the coast. It’s really a moot point when weighed against the cons. There was an energy in the town, but it really did seem to be teeming with douchey and phoney types. The kind who post gym selfies or have yacht parties where everyone has to dress in white for some reason. I guess stereotypes exist for a reason. The natural beauty is offset by the hollow people.
I checked out the lighthouse the next morning in the fresh morning light, which was the highlight of the stopover. Onward to Queensland!
Lamington National Park
I crossed the border and took a sharp left turn to avoid Gold Coast as much as possible. The destination was Lamington National park, which is split into two main areas – Binna Burra to the East, and Green Mountains to the West. I spent a day in each, and it was not long enough for either.
Impressive waterfalls and trails kept me busy, and an abundance of bird life kept me company. The journey into O’Reilly on the Green Mountains side was incredible. Winding dirt roads put the Jimny to work, surrounded by a tunnel of rainforest. I wish I could have stayed longer, but was glad I didn’t since that would have meant I’d miss out on my next destination – Glass House Mountains.
Glass House Mountains National Park
If you want to see lumpy rocks in the middle of nowhere, Australia truly is the place for you. But their abundance doesn’t make them any less unique. I thought Glass House Mountains might be similar to the Warrumbungles in NSW, which I saw last year. I was wrong. Yet again, I was wishing I had more time.
The Glass Houses have their own character and the entire area is just made for driving. I got lost in the best possible way zooming up and down roads aimlessly, just trying to see each of the mountains from a different angle and vantage point. I even got to go off-road and put my four wheel driving skills to the test (as more gung-ho motorists zoomed past in convoy).
More than once I came upon pineapples lined across the road, every time followed by giggling children hiding behind a nearby tree or fence. Must be a local prank. It only made the place more endearing.
Sunset from Wild Horse Mountain was the perfect bookend to a spectacular week on the road.
