A day of relaxation will put you in good stead for the 170km drive ahead to Forster and Tuncurry, towns that are joined by a large bridge across the beautiful Wallis Lake, famous in these parts for its delicious oysters and seafood. Relax in one of the seafront eateries and watch dolphins play in the water, before making the 210km journey north along the Pacific Highway to Bellingen in The Bellinger Valley. Here, a beautiful lagoon sits below rugged mountains and before you lie striking rainforests and waterfalls, creating a picture-perfect setting. For the ultimate Australian gift, be sure to drop into Heartland Didgeridoos to purchase an instrument synonymous with the land you are visiting.

The next destination and a definite ‘must do’ is Byron Bay, a further 310km from Bellingen. Should you be looking for somewhere to stay the night before reaching the bay, Yamba is a beautiful town 135km from Byron. Here, you can relax at one of the many waterfront hotels and spend the evening perhaps with a cocktail on one of its great beaches as the town’s dominant lighthouse stands proud in the backdrop.

Should you decide to break up your drive by staying in Yamba, ensure you set off as early as possible to get to Byron Bay. Byron is known locally as the place where Australia’s rich and famous head to for a spot of R&R. Between June and November, this is the place to see the migration of humpback whales from the coast. Byron is also known as Australia’s “Surfing Mecca.” Why? Its waves are regarded as the best in the world. If you’re an amateur, let an instructor give you a beginner’s guide as you lap up the staggeringly beautiful backdrop of this eye-catching settlement.

Next day, make the relaxed hour’s drive to the World Heritage listed Mount Warning and the adjoining Gondwana Rainforests on the New South Wales/Queensland border. The Rainforests contain some of the most wide-reaching areas of subtropical rainforest in the world and also some of the most ancient vegetation types on Earth.  Mount Warning itself sits on the site of a dormant, ancient volcano and is of great significance to the Bundjalung Nation. Under law, only specifically chosen people may climb Mount Warning’s main Woluumbin - a rule which still remains to this day out of respect for their culture.

If you have the time, make a small detour as you near Brisbane to the Springbrook National Park. Half a day can be spent easily here amongst the park’s walking trails, lookouts and waterfalls. The park is also home to countless native Australian species including goannas, pademelons, yellow robins and whipbirds (who are known to follow people around the park!). But whether you get chance to make this detour or not, what comes next - the Gold Coast - is an absolute must. The Gold Coast on average boasts 245 days of fine weather and is swarming with holidaymakers with countless seaside activities and entertainments.

As you complete the last 70km to Brisbane, be sure to take in Kangaroo Point on the south side of the Brisbane river. This is the ideal place to take in the city skyline and reflect upon the beauty you have enjoyed so far along Australia’s east coast.