Nimben to Byron Bay

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On the way to Byron Bay, from Nimben, we stopped at Mt. Nairi (just outside of Nimben).  There was a really nice hike there.  It opened up at the Pholis Gap, which gave us an outstanding view of the countrside around Nimben.  On the way back from Pholis Gap we encountered a lizard on the trail.  It wasn't huge, but it was just big enough to stop us from walking right through.  It wouldn't move.  It just stood there and stared at us.  Finally, with Lisa talking the lead, we walked through and it moved off the path.

When we got to Byron Bay we pitched our tent at a caravan park.  It sucked.  This was the first time we had set up the tent that came with the car.  It's a piece of shit compared to the tent we used in the states.  We left that tent in the states to minimize what we carried, but since we got a tent with the car we decided to give camping another shot. What a mistake that was.  The tent kept collapsing and to make matters worse the air mattress that came with the car deflated during the course of the night so by morning we were sleeping on rocks.  Waking up from a night like that just zaps you.  Byron Bay might be a nice place but our perception of it was scarred by the "night of hell".  Although we will say a few nice things about Byron Bay.  We saw a really nice sunset on the beach and had a pretty decent Indian meal (although it was overpriced).  Also, right before we left town, we went to the lighthouse and that was pretty cool.  From the high vantage point of the lighthouse you could see a huge pack, almost like a tribe, of surfers floating out in the bay. 

Next stop Surfer's Paradise.  (With a name like that, it must be awesome -- right?)