Byron Bay, Brooms Head, Moonee Beach, and Red Rock

Following a week of special birthday celebrations and our first Australia Day, the next leg of our travels began.

Byron Bay

First, we made our way to Byron Bay - a buzzing surf town with a piquant bohemian vibe. Staying in a campsite in Suffolk Park, we spent our days wandering farmers’ markets, exploring op-shops and coffee houses, combing through Byron’s famous Sunday market, and acquainting ourselves with the local crabs and spiders.

We conquered the Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk (so nice we did it twice), where we ticked off a true bucket list moment: a wild dolphin sighting, accompanied by manta rays, sea turtles, and various other marine cameos (including what Jack confidently declared "may have been" a shark).

Next we tackled Minyon Falls, with a refreshing swim after a four-hour slog battling lizards, cicadas, and (imaginary) snakes.

We paddled in the shallows of Ti-Tree Lake, its reddish-brown water stained by surrounding tea trees. The site is believed to be sacred by the Bundjalung people due to the waters healing properties - a welcome remedy for Jack’s sunburn.

A week in, we were joined by the family for a weekend of camping, a journey to Killen Falls, waterside picnics, and an evening exploring Byron’s bars and buskers.

(Not pictured: the Water Dragon that prompted an undignified scramble across sharp, slippery rocks).

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Brooms Head

Next stop: Brooms Head.

48 hours of relaxation (exhausting, this lifestyle). Quiet beaches and very little agenda.

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Moonee Beach

Moonee Beach quickly became one of our favourite stops of the trip.

Though the weather limited our plans, we were granted one day of sunshine - and it did not disappoint.

Following a recommendation from the campsite, we ambled along the Look At Me Now Headland trail. Not one, but two pods of dolphins swam alongside the coastline, joined by manta rays and turtles. We sat on the rocky headland, ate lunch, and took it all in. It was utterly breathtaking.

If you ever find yourself near Moonee, this walk is a must.

That evening, we christened our BBQ with a fine selection of reduced sausages and turkey burgers and scoffed nearly an entire bag of extra-large marshmallows in celebration.

Fast forward through 24 hours of torrential rain and cabin fever set in. We needed a new activity that wasn’t playing UNO or walking around Kmart.

Introducing: Robin Hood and his Merry (Wo)man.

Final score:

J – 252

N – 168

(I maintain that a handicap should have been given.)

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Red Rock

A short drive onward, we arrived at Red Rock… underwhelmed.

Rainy. Grey. Fairly reminiscent of St Ouen (how spoilt of us to be complaining, but we can’t help ourselves. We were trying to get away from Jersey).

Another 48 hours of van hibernation later, morale was low, but an uncoordinated awakening at 5am (probably because we’re bursting with energy after 2 days of doing nothing) we made a decision: we would finally become sunrise people.

Coffee in hand, we walked to the viewpoint, watching the clouds slowly bloom pink, orange, and red. We followed the headland trail, banging our hockey (snake-deterrent) stick like a pair of lunatics.

Reaching the tip of the headland, we began to understand Red Rock’s reputation. The sun broke through the grey and lit the coastline elegantly.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/cc83e2_0404190f0ea54bb7aa291f8a41ecfb93/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

And just as we prepared to leave - a double rainbow arched across the sky. It was like something out of a movie. Our opinion of Red Rock changed instantly.

We’ll never miss a sunrise again (she says, on her 4th coffee at 1pm).