Our first two nights we could not have been based in a more perfect location, in between Randwick Junction and Coogee beach, just a short bus ride from central Sydney. Spoilt by the combination of lively bars, tasty restaurants, cliff-top walks and unspoilt beaches; I immediately wanted to live there. In fact, the wineries of Hunter Valley are probably all that could have lured me away from the place. Lucky for me, that's exactly where we were headed.
After exploring central Sydney and indulging in some home comforts we'd been deprived off in the US, like Topshop and Nando's, we jumped on the Greyhound bus to Newcastle (For fellow travellers I would recommend the Greyhound bus. It has been very easy with a simple online booking system and pretty comfy coaches.)
Newcastle is nice enough, a little run down and the accommodation a bit more expensive than we'd have liked, but with a good beach and more importantly an ideal distance from the wine region, it's a decent stop off on the East Coast. At least that is, if you book on to a tour. If however like us you leave it until the last minute and want to do a tour on a random Tuesday it becomes a little more difficult, although certainly a lot more exciting.
We ventured by bus, train and then taxi to Wyndham winery, and whilst it was quite an effort and pretty costly, it was definitely worth it. A picturesque winery, with a great history (where the first Shiraz was made), lovely staff and most essentially delicious wine. After tasting a mere 16 different types, we left feeling very satisfied - and a little tipsy.
Our next stop en route to the Gold Coast was Coffs Harbour, home of the Big Banana. A fairly sleepy town it's not for the big clubber- although the pub at the hostel at the end of our street, Park Beach Road, got quite lively - but it has a nice beach, friendly people and we had a lovely relaxing few days.
We then moved on to Byron Bay ready for the weekend. Almost all backpackers make a stop here and we'd heard in advance it's not what it once was, but when we got there we were pleasantly surprised. Quirky shops, live music bars, bustling but not too busy beaches, some great eye candy and the best frozen yoghurt place (which has caused me to develop an addiction to the stuff) made for a great few days.
Now we're in Surfers Paradise, waiting to start our Topdeck tour up to Cairns. Our Australian adventure has well and truly begun.
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