Family Trip V Byron Bay & Springbrook NP

Well done, everyone manage to wake up to see the sunrise from the most easterly point of OZ! Although Lisa and Mun Geon must have a sleepless night trying to squeeze in the motorhome's 'single' bed. The motorhome is suppose to fit 4 people but 3 seems a better fit/ We took the walking track which takes about half an hour to the lighthouse. It was a cloudy morning, so it turned out not a good sunrise picture session.

But we are lucky to see few whales swimming pass (quite far from us but still...), so we are chasing the whales up and down that we forgot about the lighthouse. [whale season along the east coast from july-october]

Name of this bird: Yet to be figured out =P

Beautiful views after a steep descent from the lookout

Grafitti @ Byron Bay Street

Next on the itinerary is the Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park*****. About one and half hour drive from Byron Bay. The GPS brought us through the country roads. Saw this miniature horse by the fence so we stopped the car.

So cute! It's head is so big comparing the ratio of it's body =P

                  An easy walking track leads to the natural bridge

Waterfall, into the natural bridge

The cool weather + ice cream!

     The motorhome and P&A's tent

That night, we set our camp at the National Park settlement campground, about half an hour drive from the Natural Bridge. It was so cool during sunset. There's a free BBQ area so we cooked our dinner at the shelter.

After dinner, we return to the natural bridge to view the glow worms! There are so many worms in the small cave, looks like a starry sky! Info about glow worms can be viewed this post : Great Ocean Road IV

It might be the coldest night the 4 of them had, because we are in the mountain and there is no powered site! No heater for tonight. . .  Peter got a campfire going eventually but it is too cold to enjoy the campfire and the wind kept blowing the smoke, hurting our eyes... ooooOhh...

Morning came and we woke up to see the frosty grass! Wow that must have been 0-1 degree celcius. P&A had almost become frozen in the tent. The motorhome guys haven't got a decent sleep too. Poor thing... It was a memorable night! A mistake in camping in the national park during winter! Although winter in Gold Coast is not cold at all but in the mountains it is freezing! We had be better of staying another night in GC's apartment and make a day trip to the natural bridge. Well, it's an experience!

Next: Brisbane City

Sydney VII

It's the end of our trip with Peter's Dad. We send him to Central station, where he got on the airport train. What a good reunion after seven months of leaving home! Hope P dad had a great time with us and John despite the camping experience ;)

Well, time to go to the library!

It's a beautiful library, makes people want to come here and study so often!

Our lunch at Hunter's Connection Foodcourt, beside the Wynyard train station. It was an Asian lunch, 'Chap Fan' (Mix Rice) and Japanese Bento at very reasonable price. 

The Town Hall of Sydney

That night, we met up with a friend we met during strawberry picking in Perth, Takashi. It was a really happy gathering, he works as a hairdresser in the city. We had dinner at a Japanese restaurant, Miso. Good food!

City view from Takashi's apartment. We went to his house to see the fireworks since it's a saturday. But a little too late, we missed it.

A good chat with a good cafe latte made by Takashi =)

We always cherish friends we met in Aus, and it's the first time for us having the chance to meet a friend for a second time in another state. Hope the best for Takashi's future embarkings and we shall find him in Japan one day!

Sydney VI

Museum of Sydney*** Located near the Circular Quay, costs $10 per person. It's not a big museum, with the main focus on the history on the beginning of Sydney and its transformation. It also has videos on the building of Harbour Bridge and history of Fort Denison.

McD time! The cheapest lunch we could find in the city, due to their 'loose change' menu. Only $2 for a double cheeseburger or chicken burger! GOSH.. .. 

Ferry ride to Manly Wharf! It is said to be the best ferry ride from the city. Bypassing the Opera House and Fort Denison.

Opera House, front view

Fort Denison

This fort had been used as a fishing spot, defence structure, navigational guide, tide gauge station, weather station, time marker and now a restaurant and museum. We just passed by this fort during the ride. 

Manly Wharf

It takes about 30min to reach here by ferry, the same if driving from the city. A small town with beautiful beach to relax. The more popular beach around Sydney would be Bondi Beach, but according to locals, they like Manly better since Bondi is too touristy.

The street of Manly. The first look of it, we thought we are in BALI. LOL

Manly Beach

Ferry ride back to city @ sunset

If you zoom in, you can see some humans on the bridge top. It is one of Sydney's attraction, Bridge Climb. Of course, it is costly! About $200 depending on the hour of the day and date you are climbing. Once in a lifetime experience! But surely not for someone who is afraid of heights!