"5 Weeks On East Coast Of Australia, September 2006" by Mikebb

On 24th August 2006 , a winters day we left Perth on the 4 hour flight across Australia to sunny Brisbane located on Queenland's south coast, only an hour's drive from fabulous Surfers Paradise and the area known as the Gold Coast. We were to spend 16 days in Queensland, nice and warm, no need for coats and jeans, this is the land of sun. Brisbane page is completed.

Noosa is a world renown holiday destination, only one and a half hours drive from Brisbane having a magnificent climate, casual lifestyle, an abundance of good restaurants and many fascinating day trips for those who wish to explore the surrounding districts. We took the opportunity to visit Fraser Island the largest sand island in the world, also the Glass House Mountains, another day to the rainforests etc. Our 7 day stay was perfect however other new destinations were on our itinerary.Noosa Heads and Fraser Island pages are completed.

We took a 4 night package to Hamilton Island the largest inhabited island of the Whitsundays group, located inside the Great Barrier Reef. Hamilton has its own airport and is serviced by Jetstar discount flights. Our stay on Hamilton Island was better than expected, with plenty of activities for those wanting to do things, plenty of quiet spots for those who wish to relax and read a book by the pool. Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach and Long Island pages are completed.

The Gold coast just an hour's drive south of Brisbane is the holiday mecca of Australia with a beautiful , sunny all year climate, beaches, resort hotels, restaurants and cafes, theme parks , shopping and within a 30 minute drive you are into the hinterland with magnificent rain forest.

Crossing the Queensland border into New South Wales we had a few days at Byron Bay and then continued onto Coffs Harbour a small coastal city servicing a wealthy farming, fishing and tourist district. Coffs is the home of the Big Banana, a theme park built around a banana plantation. It is the place to go for a banana smoothie, 5 bananas to each smoothie. There is plenty to see and do at Coffs.

Located on the north coast of NSW , Port Macquarie is a 7 hour drive south of Brisbane and 4 hours north of Sydney. Reported to have the best climate in Australia this historic town is a haven for tourists and holiday makers, having an abundance of attractions including whale watching, fishing, surfing and watersports,Timbertown, national parks, cafes and restaurants. We had 7 enjoyable days including several day trips to the beautiful hinterland.

Terrigal is just over an hour's drive from Sydney and has one of the prettiest beach's on the north coast. We were there mid September and at 4pm Friday afternoon there would have been 100 people in the surf and several hundred enjoying the sun and sand.

We stayed at Manly for 4 days whilst in Sydney, the beach and holiday atmosphere was enjoyable and we were only a ferry ride from the city.