Australia 2015

Before reaching Byron, however, we happen upon The Giant Prawn!

Thirty years ago, we would have loved the beach at Byron Bay. The surf, the sand, the sunshine - it is glorious. But while the youthful crowd of sunworshippers and surfers are lovely to look at, the sheer density of bodies crammed onto the beach doesn't appeal to us at all.

We prefer the peace and quiet of the setting where our stone cottage rental nestles in a valley 10 miles away from crowded beaches.

The house even comes with its own koala, which we spot daily lounging in the gum trees surrounding the property.