Today turned out to be quite dull, exceptionally uneventful. I passed the day in rainy Woolgoolga, with nothing particularly interesting unfolding. I woke up at the rest area in Byron Bay around 8:30 am. The previous night, a van had parked in front of my car, but thankfully, they moved away in time. After waking up, tending to my hair, I departed from the rest area. Although Tom and Lukas were still present, they were fast asleep.
Traveling South: Breakfast at New Italia
I hit the highway and headed south, making my initial stop about 15 minutes later for breakfast at the New Italia rest stop. I enjoyed some bread with peanut butter and jam. Following my meal, I explored the free museum on-site. While I didn’t capture any photos as it wasn’t particularly spectacular, the museum showcased a variety of old artifacts. Among the rest areas I’ve encountered, this one stands out as a more enjoyable place to stay. The atmosphere was pleasant. After spending about twenty minutes there, I resumed my journey.
An hour into my drive, I felt the need for a shower and opted to search for facilities in Grafton. Passing by the information center without entering, I noticed a sign indicating a sports school. I promptly located it on my GPS and, after 15 minutes, arrived at the seemingly deserted gym with an empty parking area. Drawing from my past shower adventure in Noosa, where sports schools offered excellent shower facilities, I decided to take my chances. I entered the building and made my way to the reception area.
Showering Unconventionally
With shameless nonchalance, I approached the guy and inquired about the possibility of taking a shower, expressing my willingness to pay two dollars for the service. The young man appeared perplexed by the unusual request – a stranger seeking a shower. “Our showers are cold,” he mentioned, thinking it might be a deal-breaker.
Surprising him, I responded, “That’s okay for me. Do you want two dollars for it?” He looked at me with surprise and quickly dismissed the payment, saying, “No, no, no, go for it. Wait, I’ll show you where the showers are.” Behind the desk, he led me to the gym area. Pointing to the showers and toilets on the other side of the entrance to the gym hall, he directed me there. I expressed my gratitude, removed my shoes at the entrance of the gym, and proceeded to freshen up.
Unexpected Oasis
As I strolled through the expansive empty gym hall, memories of my time in high school and primary school flooded back. The deserted gym, with all lights switched off, echoed a sense of solitude. Crossing to the other end of the hall, I entered a spotlessly clean locker room featuring open showers, and a sense of satisfaction washed over me. There’s a unique joy in moments when a plan comes together effortlessly – a kind of ‘just go for it’ attitude. Anticipating an uncomfortable cold shower, a prospect I disliked, I braced myself. To my delight, luck was on my side once again – the water was pleasantly hot!
After a refreshing shower, I decided to keep mum about my unexpected encounter and adopted the approach of ‘just act like your nose bleeds’ (Dutch expression for just act like it’s a normal thing). With renewed energy, I changed into fresh clothes, feeling as if I’d been reborn.
As I revisit and rewrite all of this in 2024, it strikes me as somewhat absurd that I opted for these budget-friendly showers in Australia. By this point, my budget allowed for more extravagant and luxurious choices. However, back then, I might have been a bit cautious about expenses.
Library in Woolgoolga
Following my refreshing shower at the gym, I headed to Grafton’s library. Unfortunately, it was closed, as they were in the process of relocating to another site. Undeterred, I set my sights southward, making my way to the next library on the map, situated in Woolgoolga, a small town. Within the confines of Woolgoolga’s library, I utilized the Wi-Fi for a solid two hours, attempting to upload some content. Unfortunately, the website-buider software crashed, preventing the content from being published as intended. Recognizing the library’s impending closure, I decided to defer resolving the issue until tomorrow.
Woolgoolga Beach and Headland
At 5 pm, I opted for a Subway sandwich and found a quiet picnic area in Woolgoolga to enjoy my meal. Choosing the beach setting, I located a spot at the tables overlooking the Woolgoolga Beach. While savoring my sandwich, I captured some pictures to memorialize the location, despite the rather uneventful day I was experiencing. Imagining the charm this place would hold on a sunny day, I acknowledged Woolgoolga Beach’s potential as a fantastic spot for whale watching.
Following my dinner in Woolgoolga, I took a leisurely stroll, immersing myself in the surrounding scenery. As the night unfolded, I contemplated heading to the next rest stop situated 200 kilometers south, but the distance felt impractical at that hour. Instead, I retraced my steps to a rest stop I had passed earlier, 20 kilometers north of Woolgoolga, in the direction of Grafton. Arriving there early, I took advantage of the power supply at the gas station cafe. The site allowed overnight stays, a convenience that suited my preferences. I freshened up, utilizing the restroom for teeth brushing and even a quick shave. Settling into the backseat of my car, I indulged in a movie. Around 11 pm, I decided to call it a night, anticipating a day of covering more kilometers on the road ahead.
