Another day, another morning run. With Pullenvale sitting amongst an abundance of hills, and steep ones at that, Andy’s return to Paul & Naomi’s home can be heard with his panting outside our bedroom window.

Before breakfast it was again time to feed the wildlife with the local wallabies gathering at the back door waiting to be fed cashew nuts. They are so happy to see you and very quickly are comfortable enough to come within a few feet of us to pick up the stray food.

Whilst the wallabies and their joeys have a tremendous sense of smell, their eyesight isn’t all that impressive and they need to hunt out the food by sniffing rather than looking for it.

Michelle got in on the act and performed her Dr Dolittle act throwing cashew nuts to those wallabies who got close enough.

After the feeding of the wildlife and our own breakfast, which as ever was a feast to be hold thanks to our kind hosts, Paul and Naomi who presented cereals, toast (with Vegemite), fruit and lots of coffee which helped to set us up for the day.

We then drove over to the coast and the mangroves close to Manly, the entry point to Moreton Bay. From here we could see out to Green and Mud Islands, and further afield the large Moreton Island which is accessible by ferry.

After parking up in Elanora Park on the waterfront we headed to Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk, a hiking trail through the mangrove forest. From here we could see out to the Port of Brisbane and beyond to the airport.

Thankfully the weather today was providing a lot sunnier than yesterday and we made the most of this by wandering along the esplanade and then on to the Wynnum Manly Yacht Club where we planned to have lunch.

Along the way we were able to spot a fair amount of wildlife, with pelicans spotted in the wetlands of the breakwater park.

Our walk totalled c. 5 mile, so there was a need to take a break every so often to take in the views enjoy the scenery.

With the sunshine predicted to hold until mid-afternoon we made the most of being outdoors and made a number of stops to sit & chat before carrying on along the waterfront. There wasn’t much of a sandy beach it’s fair to say, with the limited sandy parts being quite coarse and red in colour with rock covering the remaining part and/or mangrove trees and bushes.

The tide was out in the early afternoon leaving exposed rocks and debris.

By 2pm we had worked up quite a hunger so headed to the marina for a spot of lunch at Tide on the Jetty, one of Naomi’s favourite places to eat. As it turned out we were one of the last people to experience a meal in its current guise, as it was due to close on Sunday evening before being refitted and relaunched as an Asian fusion restaurant in a week or so’s time.

The food was simple but filling and finished off with Carrot Cake and coffees before we set off on our walk back to the car.

We managed to grab a few photos out on the pier before the weather turned and the rain returned.

We left the Moreton Bay Discovery Centre and within an hour we were back at the car and ready for the 40min drive back to Pullenvale in the Western Suburbs.

Our hire car (of Chinese extraction) is turning out to be a real find, providing lots of space, and with the Apple Play function we can listen to all our music and podcasts as we ebb through the Brisbane traffic and the various toll bridges and tunnels that connect the coast roads to the East back over the Brisbane River to the West and on to Ipswich.

Paul and Naomi have kindly allowed us to stay one extra day, due to the unseasonal wet weather, so we plan to return to central Brisbane tomorrow to check out the cultural heritage of the city along with some lite shopping should the rains remain.

It’s been lovely to chill out with old friends and hear all their plans for future travels around Australia, Japan and beyond in their newly acquired campervan. Hopefully on our next trip to Australia we can join them on an adventure up the East Coast and beyond. Certainly they have inspired us to go out to Western Australia where some of the best beaches in the country are to be discovered. We better start planning!

This morning Andy was up early, as usual, with a run around the hills and woodland of Pullenvale. It’s been 5yrs since we were last here and whilst it’s a similar time of year, the weather is both wetter and cooler but there’s still no escaping the humidity.

After this energetic start, we then had a chance to engage with the local wildlife after breakfast, feeding the wallabies that congregate in Paul & Naomi’s back garden.

After an enjoyable and healthy breakfast courtesy of Naomi and her homemade Bircher, along with Paul’s excellent sourdough and Vegemite toast, we jumped into the car and headed for the South Bank in central Brisbane for a boat ride and then walk to the West End.

The boat trip along the Brisbane River was only a couple of stops and cost a mere 50 cents each, part of a new travel deal to encourage people away from their cars and on to public transport. It definitely gets our vote and makes so much sense. This is part of a longer term commitment in advance of Brisbane’s hosting the Olympic Games in 2032.

After getting the boat to the South Bank we then started our 5k walk to the West End, which we had planned to be a leisurely wander in the sunshine taking in the scenery.

Unfortunately this wasn’t how it played out, as no sooner had we started the journey then the rain started and turned ever tropical! Despite stopping a couple of times under shelters, hoping for it to pass, the rain only got heavier and we had no option but to embrace it and get wet.

Michelle had had the foresight to bring her waterproof jacket and Paul & Naomi both had umbrellas, however Andy was less organised and looked like he’d been for a swim. After a trip to Woolworths to get a towel and then wringing out clothes in the public toilets, Andy was able to rejoin the group and make lunch, albeit still a little damp.

We had a wonderful lunch at a Yamas Greek and thankfully the weather improved in the interim and we were able to continue our walk and on to Sky Deck, a new development in the CBD offer great views over the city skyline.

By the time we reached the 32nd floor on the Skyline the sun was back out and we’d waved goodbye to the torrential downpours pre lunch.

Our walk back along the South Bank was in glorious sunshine and was in complete contrast to earlier in the day.

Brisbane looked so much more appealing after the rain had passed and we intend to return later to explore further.

The city along the waterfront is a vibrant place and is adorned with colourful street art across the motorway bridges.

After an very enjoyable afternoon we returned to Pullenvale and had a late dinner before planning tomorrow and a visit to Manly and a walk along the seafront before dinning at Manly Marina, all hopefully in more glorious sunshine as the weather improves.

PAfter two days down in Ballina, mostly spent in Byron, we packed ready for our return north to Brisbane, Pullenvale in the Western suburbs to be exact, to see our old friends Paul & Naomi. Before leaving Andy managed a run out along the waterfront of Ballina avoiding the rain clouds that had descended over night.

With a few clouds to spare before our 2.5hr drive back to Queensland, we returned to Lennox Head for a spot of breakfast on the beach and a coffee in one of the many espresso bars that sit on the Esplanade.

It’s a beautiful spot and one that got us thinking about where we could live and happily retire and this is certainly one of those places.

Lennox Head has that inviting feel, full of families on the beach surfing & fishing together against a backdrop of a wonderful sandy white beach and lush green rolling hills.

We spent an hour or two walking along the beach before jumping into the car to start our 125 mile drive to Brisbane. It’s funny that the motorways here have the similar numbering to home, with the M1 and then the M6 leading us up to Pullenvale.

Paul and Naomi live in a beautiful spot about 15 miles west of Brisbane in a quiet rural suburb where we were greeted by the local wallabies feeding in their garden.

The wallabies have become such regulars that they’ve been named, with Lightning being one of the young Joeys who are happy to be fed cashew nuts.

It’s been 25yrs since Michelle and Naomi first met teaching at Rush Common School in Abingdon and we saw a lot of each other socially until they departed to Australia in 2006. Since then we’ve seen each 4 or 5 times in Brisbane as well as a couple of times in Vienna when Paul worked for the United Nations.

Staying at their home and spending a few days catching up feels so special and makes us realise how lucky we are to have met them and remained friends over the last couple of decades.

All being well we plan to do some travelling around Australia in the future when we next visit and Paul has retired. In the meantime Paul gave us a tour around their recently purchased a Mercedes Van, which they are in the process of converting to a full kitted out camper-van, with all the comforts of home. After that they too plan to head off on their own travels around Australia.

Tomorrow we plan to head into Brisbane and take a walk along the South Bank, a cultural, social and recreational precinct that is awash with fantastic bars and restaurants.

It’s been a busy day, starting with a 6.30am alarm call and an early drive over to Byron.

Andy then sent off on his daily 10k pilgrimage and a run up to Cape Byron Lighthouse.

After the early morning excursions, we decided to take it a little more easy and visit the Bohemian Farmers Market in Byron. Without wishing to stereotype, there was a lot of laid back types selling high end sourdough bread and toxin free smoothies and every organic food type that has ever been grown in Australia. Added to this there was a local, singing classic folk and country music to an audience of barefoot onlookers.

Keen to return to the joys of the beach, we wandered out on to the sands only to be told there had been a shark sighting meaning no swimming. Fortunately no soon had the sign gone up, then we were told the shark had ‘gone’ and we were free to return to the ocean….

With the weather forecast mixed for the most of the day, we took advantage of the cooler temperatures and walked up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse to take in the views from the most Eastern point in Australia.

Having reached the highest point on the headland, we then walked down the 250+ steps down to the beach level to get as far east as we could possibly get.

Here we were able to spot a few turtles and what we think may have been dolphins…..

Keeping with wildlife we did get up close to a Wallaby which was happily feeding on the scrub land at Cape Byron.

After our second walk of the day, we returned to the beach and some needed sunshine. Sadly it was short lived, before the rains returned one more time and we accepted defeat and said goodbye to Byron and drove on to Killen Falls.

The drive to Killen Falls took us through some pretty villages and open countryside, notably Newrybar, home to Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth. Sadly for Michelle there was no confirmed sighting!

By the time we parked up at the falls, the rains returned and we were putting on our mack’s for the first time since being in Milford Sound in NZ.

The walk to the viewing deck for the falls was well marked and straightforward, however for those foolhardy types who want to get up close and personal, the path then became very tricky and with flip flops on the potential for a fall was high. Thankfully we survived and got some great pictures of the wonderful falls including some brave swimmers who ignored the rain and jumped straight in!

Our next stop was also water related, Lake Ainsworth, a fresh water tea-tree lake with dark tannins from the surrounding paperbark trees. It is a popular spot with both Lennox Head locals and visitors alike.

We took a stroll along part of the lake before retiring to the ‘Shelter’ an Australian restaurant. We loved this place – the ultimate for service, ambience, excellent drinks and a location opposite the beach.

After a long day out and about, we decided to treat ourselves to an Indian meal at Mumbai Masala, where we indulged in a chicken korma, Keema Naan bread and lots of popadoms. What a feast and just what we both enjoy.

Tomorrow we are heading back north to Brisbane to visit our friends Paul & Naomi who we’ve known for over 25yrs and who have lived in Oz for 20yrs. We’ve not seen them since 2019 so it’s going to be great to see them after so long.

Today we were back on the road, travelling down the coast and back into NSW to visit Byron Bay.

Before leaving Mudgeeraba, Andy was up on this morning 10k crusade before we packed up and waving goodbye to our lovely hosts at The Village B&B, which had proved a great stay with a breakfast offer including bacon & eggs!

Our drive south was a trip down memory lane with a visit to Kingscliff, a place we visited around 6-7yrs ago and dinned at the Surf Club Bar & Bistro.

One thing we’ve noticed since being back in Australia, is how early they get up and in turn how early everything then closes. Andy tried to get a flat white from a beachside coffee stand only to be told it closed at midday. Accepted it did open at 6am.

After an hour or so, we left the beach and drove down the coast rode stopping a few miles down at Pottsville beach, which is a long stretch of wonderful sandy beach and we had the place to ourselves. Andy took the opportunity to perform his star jump and prove he still has the skill.

After a brief stay, we drove the remaining 20mins down to the Main beach at Byron Bay. It’s an amazing wide beach with wonderful views out across Tyagarah Nature Reserve.

After all the beach time today, we decided to have a wander around Byron Bay and grab a drink and take in the bars, restaurants and shops in this beautiful beach town.

Late afternoon we started to make our way to our final stop and night’s stay at the Ballina Byron Islander Resort – sounds flash, but it’s just a run of the mill motel aka Schitt’s Creek!

Along the way we stopped at the Pat Morton Lookout, which looks back on Lennox Head. Great views across the bay and out over Ballina Nature Reserve. As we walked back to car, we started to feel rain and within a matter of seconds the heavens opened.

The rain was gone again within 15mins and having dinned at our new abode thanks to our friends at Coles, we drove into town to walk along the historic Ballina Waterfront trail.

What a wonderful evenings walk, glorious sunshine and stunning views across Richmond River out to the Heads. We passed numerous bars and restaurants all busy with Aussie holidaymakers enjoying their summer vacation.

What a fantastic day we’ve had. So very glad we made the decision to head down to NSW and visit Byron before we head north up the Queensland coast. It’s a beautiful coastline with so many pretty beaches and small seaside towns.

Tomorrow we are planning an early start with a drive back to Byron Bay to visit the Thursday farmers market that opens at 7am!

Our first full day in Queensland and proved to be a hot one first thing. Andy was out at 6.15am getting his 10k run in the bag. With a new route to find, along with the heat of the day, it was a challenging start.

Thankfully the B&B did a fantastic job with breakfast with generous helpings of granola, fruit and yoghurts followed by cooked eggs and bacon on sourdough bread. What a treat and so very filling.

With the day starting earlier, we found ourselves down at Burleigh Heads beach by 9.30am and we soon got comfortable on the wide open sandy white beach that stretches for miles in either direction. Looking north you can see the Surfers Paradise skyline and to the south Palm Beach.

Lunch today was a meet up in Arundel the home of Bob & Diane a lovely Aussie couple we met on a cruise of the Whitsunday Islands back in Aug 2018. We’ve been saying we’d meet up ever since and at last we got the chance. Despite the 6yrs that have passed since we last met, we were quickly chattering away as a group, us telling them about our trip to date and they telling us all about their life in a retirement village Seachange directly opposite the Arundel Tavern where we had a great lunch.

Bob and Diane have been together for over 57yrs and a shining example of what a caring couple should be. So loving and caring and good fun to be around. Post lunch we got a tour of the Seachange and marvelled at the wonderful facilities they have, it’s like a hotel spa with all the sports facilities you could ask for and more. We then went back to their house for drinks and got a further tour of their wonderful home and drinks cabinet! After a great few hours catching up with them, we said our goodbyes and headed to the coast to visit Southport and Broadwater beaches.

The sun was in full glow so we found a good spot on the sand and dozed/read and took in the scenery including the nearby Seaworld Helicopters that were constantly coming in and out as well as the Versace Hotel (famed for being the place where the contestants from I’m a Celebrity…stay!)

When the clouds descended we decided to go for a walk along the Esplanade and went past Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and the Aqua Park.

As the afternoon came to a close we drove a few miles along the Esplanade to central Surfers Paradise and went on the beach and for a wander around the main pedestrian centre which was awash with Aussie holidaymakers shopping & eating and drinking!

As the evening wore on, we went back down to the beach to marvel at the wonderful white sand and the incredibly tall high-rises that appear on the ‘SP’ sky line.

It goes dark earlier in Queensland, often by 7.15pm, so by then there was little option but to drive back to our B&B.

Once back, we dinned on another Coles salad and pasta offer before we started to pack for our drive down to Byron Bay tomorrow and our stay in Ballina for the next couple of nights.

Departure day and it’s a sad goodbye to Manly as we enter our final and longest road trip from Brisbane, via Byron Bay and up to Port Douglas with numerous stops along the way.

Having packed the night before, Andy was up early and out by 6.30am to complete his final 10k run in Manly before we head for the ferry, train and then plane.

Post the run we met down on Manly beach for a final walk to take in the views and put them to memory before waving a bon voyage.

After almost 3 weeks back in the Augusta Lane apartment, our little home from home, we were packed and ready for the next stage of our travelling odyssey.

After walking past the Oval and the Manly Bowling Club, we took our final walk to Manly Wharf and grabbed a photo before queuing for the ferry.

There was just time to take in the last sights across Manly Cove Beach before we boarded the ferry and made our way to the train station down at Circular Quay.

After departing the ferry it was a short walk to the train and within 20mins we had arrived at the Sydney Domestic Terminal for our flight up to Brisbane.

After getting to the airport in plenty of time, we were treated to the usual indifferent service of Jetstar. Whilst the check in staff were very helpful and got us an extra bag in the hold, the timing of the flight was a little off and got delayed by an hour or so. Thankfully the flight did eventually go at 3pm and with the hour difference in Queensland, we were on the ground by 3.30pm and had picked up our latest hire car by 4.30pm. The new wheels are a Chinese motor by the name of Haval, which in truth is pretty impressive and drives well. We then had an hours drive down to Robina, on the outskirts of Burleigh Heads.

We’ve booked a great little B&B for 2 nights and it’s homely and well positioned with a Coles supermarket a stones through away and numerous restaurants all within walking distance.

After a Coles dinner of pasta and salad, accompanied by a 4 Pine’s Pacific Ale, a reminder of Manly, we decided to take a drive out to Burleigh Heads to have a brief look around in the early evening.

Andy made it down to the beach and managed to get a great photo of Surfers Paradise further up the coast and Burleigh Pavilion down the coast.

After a wander along The Esplanade and the restaurant and bar quarter close to the beach, we returned back to Mudgeeraba Village B&B for a good nights sleep.

Tomorrow we plan a return to the beach early morning, before we drive up to Arundel where we have arranged to have lunch with Robert and Diane, an Australian couple we met on a cruise in the Whitsunday Islands back in 2018. We’ve been corresponding with them on and off for the last 6yrs so it will be great to see them after so long and catch up over lunch.

With another sunshine day predicted and a high of 32c, Andy was up extra early (6.30am) for his 10k morning run. We then met up in Manly for coffee at Fika.

Fika Swedish Kitchen is a Swedish café serving a menu of homemade Swedish classics like meatballs and the famous fika pastry and great coffee!

Before breakfast we took a quick wander down to Bower beach to take in the waves and enjoy the morning sunshine.

The walk to Fika is in a cool part of Manly with street graffiti charting the evolution of Manly and its surfing history.

We’ve previously visited Fika on past visits and love its cool vibe and welcoming atmosphere.

After our caffeine fix we made our way to Shelly beach for what will be the last time for a while. Given the great weather and it being the last day of the holidays before people return to work on Monday, the sand and sea were both packed.

Thankfully we managed to snare a rare spot close to the water and Michelle then took up her customary spot sitting next to the water to cool off and watch the world go by.

We’d been at the beach for a couple of hours when out of nowhere one of the lifeguards turned up with a sign to advise that a shark had been spotted along Manly main beach earlier in the day. Within seconds the majority of people then exited the sea and came to take photos of the sign. Us included.

With the water out of bounds we arranged one final catch up with the Manly massive down at Felons on the Wharf. Later today Isabel, Jamie and Tracy’s niece, returns to the UK and a day or so later Amelie, Caroline’s niece follows suit returning to University in Leeds. It was lovely to see them all and we said our respective goodbyes to the younger girls whilst we will see the rest in a couple of months when we return to Manly in mid-March.

As the afternoon came to an end, we wandered back passed the Oval for a final dinner at the apartment before packing in readiness for our flights to Brisbane at lunch tomorrow.

It’s been a great few weeks in Manly, but it’s now time to move on and take up the next chapter of our trip with a two month tour up the East Coast. In the first couple of weeks we plan to return to some of our favourite spots including Byron Bay, Burleigh Heads, Mooloolaba and Noosa Heads.

It’s a sunshine Saturday and we had no plans, so decided to make the most of Manly given our impending departure in a couple of days.

After Andy’s early morning 10k run, we ventured down to Shelly beach with the intention of a brief stop, however once settled on the sand we didn’t want to leave so stayed for a few hours and just enjoyed the sun, sea and smiled!

Today was one of those days that brought happiness and a touch of sadness. We so love this place, but know we had to leave soon and added to this we miss having Amelia and also Meg with us, as they’ve our Manly stay such a memorable and enjoyable one. We will of course be back, so we’ve always got that to look forward to.

The next few hours were spent in and out of the water, with Michelle having now conquered her dislike of getting into the ‘cold’ sea without fear or thought!

By mid-afternoon we gathered enough willpower to extricate ourselves from the beach and walk part of the Manly to Spit Bridge route. Whilst we didn’t make it the whole way, we did Forty Baskets beach to enjoy the rock pools and a little dip to help cool down.

The Manly to North Head walk takes you past numerous small secluded beaches and provides an insight into the Manly locals secret sunbathing spots. Some like to take shade under the Norfolk Island Pine trees which have stood along the beach front for over 150yrs.

As we ebbed along the coastal path we moved onto a route that took us on to the beach and over sand, rock pools passing Manly Boatshed cafe, the North Harbour reserve and Wellings reserve before we turned around at Forty Basket beach and returned to the Manly Pavilion for a late afternoon happy hour drink and enjoy the live music and busy Saturday vibe.

This has got to be one of the best views you’ll get in Manly if not Sydney as you look out into the North Harbour and over to Watsons Bay, with the Hornsby Lighthouse sparkling in the distance.

As we left the Pavilion we passed the busy Espy, where the old aquarium once stood, now a throbbing bar area attracting the great and good of Manly.

We then had an hour snoozing on Manly Cove beach before returning for dinner and then back out for an evenings walk along the Manly main beach.

Tomorrow is our last full day in Manly so we plan to make the most of the day, getting up early for a walk before breakfast then getting out in the sunshine before meeting up with Caroline, Tracy and co to say our goodbyes for now.

We plan to return to Manly in mid March for a few days so it’s not too final and we will still have time to go out for drinks and dinner with them once we come back.

Today started with a 2.30am wake up, as we said a sad goodbye to Amelia who was leaving for the UK and a return to University, whilst Meg was travelling on to Brisbane to see family and friends. We’ve loved having them with us in Manly and we hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.

There were a few tears at the international airport as we waved off Amelia who had been with us for her 5th stay over the last year or so, and then on to the domestic terminal where Meg said her goodbyes and we waved her off after her 3rd stay with us since we began our travels. They’ve both helped us enjoy our time with family and friends and we thank them so much for this.

As it was still only 4.40am when we returned to Manly we decided to grab a little more shut eye, before we jumped into the car late morning for a trip up to Palm beach.

We’ve been up to this part of the Northern Beaches numerous times before and love the area, in particular the walk up to the lighthouse to take in the views over the Palm Beach peninsula and the islands.

Palm Beach sits on a peninsula at the end of Barrenjoey Road near Pittwater and is the northernmost beach. Palm Beach is colloquially referred to as ‘Palmy’ and is used for exterior filming of the soap Home and Away, as the fictional town of Summer Bay.

Despite the hefty property prices it remains a haven for a variety of artists. Palm Beach houses range from cottages to grand estates owned by some of the country’s most affluent people.

After an enjoyable mid morning coffee and cake looking out over the Pittwater Bay, we started the short hike up the beach and on to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse.

The Barrenjoey track is steep and in the heat there’s definitely a need/want to stop every few minutes to take in the vista and appreciate the beauty of the most northerly part of the Northern Beaches.

The Barrenjoey Head Lighthouse is a heritage listed lighthouse with amazing views over the headland that projects out into Broken Bay forming its southern entrance. To the north is Bouddi National a Park along the Central Coast.

We could go on about the wonderful views, but hopefully the pictures speak for themselves. It’s a beautiful part of Northern Sydney and well worth a visit.

After a very enjoyable few hours at Palm Beach we then stopped a couple of times at Avalon and Newport beach before taking the long drive back down the coast to Mascot to drop off the hire car.

Back in central Sydney we hung around for a hour or so before getting the Manly ferry back. In between we managed the obligatory photos of the bridge, opera house and the sea views from the ferry.

With the girls gone, the apartment feels very quiet so we were keen to get out and met up with Tracy, Jamie and Caroline over at Freshwater for the World Food markets evening.

We then spent a couple of hours drinking eating and chatting in the early evening as the sun went down.

Our stay in Manly is coming to a close, as we depart on Monday 6th to Brisbane for the next chapter of our travels. It’s been another great festive holiday in this beautiful part of Sydney spending time with old and new friends who help to make this place so special to us. Going to miss it when we leave in a couple of days.

Tomorrow we plan to go for another walk along the coast to the Spit Bridge. We last did this in 2020 and remember how beautiful the beaches and views were in the Middle Harbour into Sandy Bay.