Today’s destination: Cape Byron Lighthouse in Byron Bay, the easternmost point of Australia. This morning, I woke up at Sleepy Hollow rest stop, located approximately 40 kilometers south of Gold Coast. Despite its eerie nighttime ambiance, with only a toilet facility, it unnerved me a bit. A snake warning sign added to the suspense, and in the pitch darkness, the place took on an unsettling vibe. The toilets were far from inviting, making me contemplate the merits of sleeping in a place without them and opting for the simplicity of nature’s restroom, even if it meant peeing in the bushes—haha!
Lukas and Tom
I enjoyed my breakfast outdoors at one of the picnic tables. As I savored my meal, I observed a disheveled-looking couple waking up nearby. The guy approached me and inquired if they could have their coffee here. I responded warmly, inviting them to join me. Loneliness had started to creep in each time I bid farewell to a friend, and lately, it seemed to happen more frequently. Having some company for a chat was a welcome change.
The guy, Lukas from Germany, was soon joined by his girlfriend, Tom from Israel. Living in Australia and currently on a two-week journey to Melbourne to seek job opportunities, they shared their story with me. Lukas, three years younger than Tom, and I could sense the dynamic of their relationship – Tom, the assertive planner, and Lukas, responsible for driving, and not much else, according to Lukas himself. I enjoyed their company, and it turned out we were using the same camping app, Wikicamps, to find sites. After engaging in some interesting conversations, I bid them farewell, looking forward to meeting again later in the afternoon. They were headed to Byron Bay, planning to stay at the same camping spot for the night.
Byron Bay Library
An hour later, I reached Byron Bay. My initial stop was at the library, where I accessed the internet. The town exuded a vibrant atmosphere, teeming with backpackers and free spirits. Vans, hippies, and surfer boys were a common sight everywhere. While at the library, I focused on my articles and took a moment to assess my financial situation. Since arriving in Australia, I found myself keeping a closer eye on my finances, particularly given the unexpectedly high cost of fuel, something I had underestimated.
I spent two hours in the library until hunger struck. Subway, conveniently located to the left of the library on the main street, became my choice for a sandwich. I also retrieved a cold Coke Zero from my car. Finding a bench in the city, I sat down to enjoy my meal while observing the diverse crowd. Backpackers, fellow travelers, and some Aussies passed by. One Aussie, with long blonde hair, walked barefoot with a dog trailing behind, evoking a scene reminiscent of a movie. The abundance of health stores, a frozen yogurt shop, and an overall hippie atmosphere added a unique charm to the place. Quite interesting!
I went back to my car and hit the road. Despite having a prime parking spot in the city center, I felt the urge to explore further. My destination: the Byron Bay Lighthouse. As I cruised towards it, I cranked up my music to the maximum and reveled in the moment.
The Easternmost Point of Australia
The Cape Byron Lighthouse sits atop a hill, and upon my arrival, I found myself shelling out 7 dollars for parking. As I carefully perused the ticket given to me by the attendant, I realized I was granted only an hour in the limited 15 parking spots available. In hindsight, opting to park below and trek up the trail to the Cape Byron Lighthouse would have been a more prudent choice. I stumbled upon the trail shortly past the lighthouse itself.
The vistas were breathtaking, with waves crashing against the cliffs, triggering memories of the Uluwatu temple in Bali to flood back. The nostalgic moments continued to resurface, prompting a smile. Descending the trail, I reached the easternmost point sign of the Australian mainland in just ten minutes. The serene views from this spot were truly rejuvenating. Requesting a passerby to capture the moment, I couldn’t help but recall the westernmost point in Indonesia and how my friend Danny had secured an official certificate for that exploration.
Cape Byron Lighthouse
Having savored the mesmerizing view for 15 minutes, I opted to stroll back and explore the interior of Cape Byron Lighthouse. En route, I seized the opportunity to capture some moments through photographs when, unexpectedly, three military helicopters zoomed across the sky. It felt like an official acknowledgment of my accomplishment, reminiscent of the formal documentation I had received in Indonesia. Swiftly maneuvering my camera, I managed to snap a few shots of the speedy helicopters.
I returned to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, capturing some final images of the antique exposition housed within its walls.
As my parking time neared its end, I bid farewell to the lighthouse. Descending the lighthouse road, I succumbed to the temptation of capturing one last photograph of the breathtaking view. Halting the car, I snapped some pictures of the beach to the right of the lighthouse—its beauty reminiscent of the stunning landscapes of Fraser Island.
Another Free Camp Spot
Later in the afternoon, I made a decision to purchase ice and groceries at the local supermarket. My GPS functioned perfectly, guiding me to the store where I picked up a salad and some chocolate. Learning from Tom and Lukas that the camping space was limited, they planned to arrive early to secure a spot. Following suit, I headed to the camping area after completing my grocery shopping. Fortunately, there was one remaining spot available when I arrived, though the surroundings were teeming with German travelers. Joining Lukas and Tom, who were already settled, I pulled a chair from my car and engaged in an hour-long conversation. During our chat, Tom generously shared her journey plans, and I took some photos of her notes for future reference. I planned to look up her travel tips on Google later.
We chatted for an hour, but as darkness fell, mosquitoes emerged, and their bites became relentless. Bid Tom and Lukas goodnight, and retreated into my car to escape the insects. They were preparing to sleep early, despite the early hour (8 pm). Inside my car, I spent some time writing, listening to music, and reminiscing through old photos—reflecting on the incredible journey so far. Around 11 pm, I made the decision to call it a night.
