To Brisbane

Having spent enough time basking in the familiarity of an Asianized metropolitan Sydney, we decided to drive North to Brisbane via a detour to Toowoomba to see a friend before I arrive at Brisbane to spend time with my Aussie mate Daryll.The drive was approx. 850 kms via the Pacific Coast H'way. After the first 5 hours, we arrived at Port MacQuarie, a quaint little seaside holiday resort cum port. Home also to McQuarie University, there's a huge student population here. Spent the night at a motel after waking up the proprietress, who showed up in a bath robe. Haggled with her over the price of the accomodations, got the price we wanted, no breakfast and a room overlooking the main road. Pretty decent place to sleep in. Up at six the next morning and Coffs Harbour was our destination for breakfast.I drove most of the way up the coast, beautiful stretches of land and seascape interrupted by turfs of green meadows and forested creeks. Because of the strict speed limits, we drove at a leisurely pace taking in the expansive vistas and it was such a breeze that we made Coffs Harbour earlier than expected and decided to make for the much heralded Byron Bay for lunch instead. Lennox Head needs special mention as the sweeping views to the sea are spectacular.
Byron Bay was lovely as lunch, Fish Heads was the name of the restaurant where we had fresh Pacific rock oysters washed down with a very very nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc Semillion- Three Sisters from Victoria. Very satisfied. To wear down the effects of the alcohol, we took in the sights and side streets of Byron Bay.