According to the route guide in the back of Dodgy Planet's East Coast Australia it's 907kms from Sydney to Brisbane along the Pacific Highway. Our route it seems is somewhat longer, but only just. We've got to Byron Bay, with about 100k left to go until we hit Brisbane.
We've followed the coast north, away from the backpacker trail, following pieceful sunny beaches where towns have for the most part constituted large villages with a local shop. we've been sleeping in tourist parks in our tent, looking very much the odd ones out as other campers settled back into their lavish caravans and campers. My favourite was a couple who had a camper, the back of which lowered down to form a ramp, and contained a little 4wd car.
My favourite site was in a village called Croki, just off the main highway. It's a lovely town that formerly was a paddlesteamer port, it contained just a couple of elegant georgian villas, with lovely virandas, and a quiet campsite on the river side, with it's own jetty. Only two other campers - tranquil & relaxed. UNTIL.... two camper van's full of (wouldn't you know it) essex boy brit backpackers turned up and proceeded to play very loud drinking games at the barbeque until the early hours and then running and jumping off the jetty, which was next to the tent. Really I don't want to be labelled a grumpy old git, and hate is a strong word. But I hated them. Some people shouln't be given passports.
Anyhow, better get over it, because it's one long PARTY town all the way up the Gold Coast from here to Brisbane. Byron is flooded with the great unwashed straight off the OZ experience coaches, then it's through places like Surfer's Paradise, which is a bit Ibiza for Ozzy kids and Euro twenty somethings and then onto Brisabane itself which according the guide is a 'clubbing mecca'.
Mmmm.. wonder if there are any trains. I can feel a cheat coming on.
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