Though it is known as a one-street town with just 10,000 people, Byron Bay is a really popular tourist spot, attracting 1.5 million visitors every year. I could see why, as it boasted endless beaches and there were quirky shops and eateries on every corner.

After a wonderful lunch, we explored the town, took advantage of a free barbeque at our hostel and then sampled Byron’s nightlife. It was a great chance to bond as a group.

We were meant to kayak in the stunning blue sea the following morning, but the weather forecast forbid it due to unsafe conditions; and sure enough the heavens opened, it began to pour and we could understand why. This wasn’t just any rain, this was as torrential a downpour as I think I’d ever seen, but it stopped as quickly as it had started and we were soon heading off to a new destination.

We weren’t just leaving Byron Bay, but also New South Wales, as we embarked on an hour’s journey to the state of Queensland. Nicknamed The Sunshine State, Queensland is fittingly blessed with three hundred days of sunny weather each year (almost unimaginable to us Brits, who are probably more likely to get that many days of rain!).

We were certainly here at an interesting time, as it was the end of school for final year students in Australia and many of them celebrate this with week-long holidays in places such as Surfers, in a tradition known as “schoolies”. Therefore, most locations in the town were densely populated with students and those amongst them who had not just finished their final year of school (AKA us), were laughed at and referred to as “toolies”!

Trying to ignore our “toolie” status, we enjoyed the sunshine on the long stretch of beach and got ready for the evening’s activity. Those who had opted in were going to Dracula’s Cabaret, a vampire-style night of entertainment, acrobatics, themed food and cocktails, complete with a ghost train and hilariously horrible waiters. It was a weird and wonderful show, and it inspired a mixture of laughter, shock and amazement.

After the cabaret had finished, the night had only just began and we joined the rest of our group at Retro’s Nightclub, becoming “toolies” once more as we were surrounded by far too many teenagers! Luckily, the great deal of cheesy music made up for the crowd.

The subsequent day, we visited Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Built in 1947, it is a heritage-listed zoological garden which is home to many types of animal, housing one of the largest collections of Australian native species in the world. I had the opportunity to hug a koala called Walter. The guide told us that he loved to be hugged, and he was even reluctant to let go.

We were also fortunate enough to see bush turkeys, Komodo dragons, grey kangaroos, red kangaroos, joeys, an emu, parrots, a peacock, a southern hairy-nosed wombat, many exotic birds, a Mertens’ water monitor lizard, eastern long-necked turtles, snakes, crocodiles and wallabies.

Upon returning to Surfers Paradise, a few of us found ourselves at a Hard Rock Cafe for food and cocktails. We also bid farewell to three members of the group who were leaving us here.

The evening flew by and we woke the next morning ready to depart Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast and head to Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane.

Brisbane

Referred to fondly as “the greatest place on earth” by our leader, Jill (she is unsurprisingly from this city), Brisbane started as a penal settlement but is now known for its art and culture, its amazing climate and its man-made, urban beach in the middle of the city.

Though it was only a quick stop, we tried to see as much as possible and a few of us walked through the city centre, explored the botanic gardens, came across Queensland University, took pictures with the much-loved Brisbane sign and finished our tour by dipping our feet in the refreshing waters of the man-made beach. There were people doing aqua aerobics here and I could only imagine what a brilliant lunch time activity that would be, stepping out from an office job into the sensational sunshine.

The concept of a hot Christmas is still strange to me!

City Botanic Gardens

Queensland University of Technology

The man-made beach

The infamous Brisbane sign

Noosa

Leaving beautiful Brisbane behind us, we boarded our coach once more and drove for approximately two hours to Noosa Heads. Located on the Sunshine Coast, it is a small, very natural town with picturesque coastal walks and yet more beauteous beaches. We made a quick stop at one of them, enjoying the warm water and golden sands.

Sun cream train!

That evening we were staying in cosy cabins in an eco-camp and we ate traditionally Australian pavlova and chatted around a campfire, toasting marshmallows and unwinding from the day, whilst sharing our excitement for the following morning’s excursion to Fraser Island.

Click here to view my 360° tour of Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island.

This had been an extraordinary experience in a truly fascinating place, and after a long drive back to Noosa in our safari vehicles, we finished the day with dinner at a surf club.

Tomorrow we would be hitting the road once more and beginning our next leg of the journey, starting with the chance to explore and taste the wares of a uniquely Australian winery. Watch this space for more Aussie Adventures!