Stormwater Thom, the Billabong Bloke: Coffs Harbor

The drive to Coffs Harbor was only about 3 hours through the coastal mountains, so we arrived and checked into our condo that Kara had booked well before sun down (about 6 pm at this point...still winter). Coffs Harbor, like most Australian beach towns, featured preserved parklands on much of the coastline, with natural dune forests blocking coastal views but providing a much more natural feel for the beaches. We walked the trail along the linear beachfront park here, encountered some funky coastal turkeys, and cruised to the nearby harbor that overlooked some off-shore island reserves that I am sure are full of birds. Most coastal towns have Surf Clubs, formed and operated by local volunteers much like fire departments in the States, to handle beach rescue, etc. and we saw the local one along the way. We also walked through this really cool park where Coffs Creek meets the sea, and saw possibly the biggest pelican either of us ever has. This thing was nearly 4 feet tall I imagine. MASSIVE! (my favorite word for everything Australian). We got back in time to grab a quick swim/hot tub at our place before they shut down for the night and cooked dinner in, enjoying a custard apple for dessert (DELICIOUS!!!!).

Small town hotel (name for pub/bistros common in Australia) on a large gravel bar island in a river where we ate lunch on the road.

The Big Banana, an Australian roadside icon.

Hibiscus bloom outside of our condo.

Awesome local graffiti at the park.

Coffs Creek meets the sea at a really nice local park where folks were BBQing in picnic shelters.

Harbor with working fishing boats.

More boats with island reserve behind.

Eat these guys here.

Coffs Harbor beach, high tide.

Whale fluke fountain.

MASSIVE pelicans.

A custard apple, ripe and ready.

Split in half, remove seeds, dig in.

Completely DEVOURED! Soft melon-like flesh with a bit of crispness and tastes like apple/pear pie with nothing added. SO GOOD!

We got up in the morning as is our routine for sunrise on the beach. It was a beautiful morning and we walked north along the beach towards some headlands that were well preserved, with a trail leading along the cliffsides and offering great views! We hiked as far as we could and shot off on a side trail where we sat atop a cliff and just enjoyed the start of the day, listening to the birds and watching the waves pounding the rocks below. SO nice! We made our way back, packed up, and made for Sydney, a 6 hour drive away.