2,190km to home

End of May this year I made the big drive down from the Sunshine Coast back to Melbourne. Total of 2,190km. It was my first ‘big’ solo driving trip in Aus! I took one week to drive home which gave me the opportunity to stop in places I had never seen before, stop in places I had been before and catch up with friends I hadn’t seen for a while. It also gave me the opportunity to see some beautiful beaches, eat at small country bakeries and try new restaurants. It gave me plenty time to be alone, reflect, recharge and prepare myself for the next chapter.

The day I left, was way harder than I ever imagined it would be. Everything was packed and ready to be taken down to the car. I had the plan to leave around 10, but from memory I left an hour or so later. Dad and I started the morning getting a Coffee and having a stroll on the beach, collecting shells and rocks and having a big chat (and trying to hold back the tears). We then had breakfast at Curly’s Café and then proceeded to do the dreaded job of packing up the car. Once the car was packed, we sat on the balcony for a bit, chatting, hugging and crying together. We then said our see you laters and I got in the car and started the drive down. As I drove along David Low Way, the Sunshine Motorway and then to the Bruce Highway I reflected on the many memories, experiences and people that I had met over my time. I remember crying the whole way down to Brisbane. Both happy and sad tears. My first stop was at a Pablo and co, a dog shop to buy Ruby (our dog) a pair of pjs for winter- she got the first gift (of course). Then I stopped again in Coolangatta for a Coffee and to share some time with my Nonno Gerry (in spirit) as this was another place he worked at when he first moved to Australia. I knew this was my last stop in QLD before I crossed the border. I looked out towards the sea and to the city and just stood there, took a deep breath and said thank you.

My first overnight stop was in Byron Bay. I love Byron Bay, I had a few days away solo in November last year, exploring, eating and catching up with a friend. I had dinner that night at Pixie Byron Bay, and what an incredible meal to start the travels off with. I had dinner with my friend who is also the head chef at Pixie, and she is doing some really incredible things there, absolutely thriving and creating some truly amazing dishes which I was lucky enough to have that night! Its definitely inspiring and I am super proud of her. We shared lots of tasty dishes, for Entrée- Focaccia, Anchovies on Toast with a Smoked Tomato Butter (this was so good!), Ricotta and Figs, Kingfish Crudo and Baked Scallops. Then we shared a few Pastas- Cacio e Pepe and Pancetta and Veal sausage Maltagliati. Also a Beetroot side. We finished with a Torta Caprese for Dessert. The style and design of the restaurant is truly stunning and the food just did not disappoint. I am very much looking forward to another meal on my next trip to Byron. The next morning it was a walk around the town, the beach, a Granola bowl at Bay Leaf Café and then off to Lennox Head for Lunch. I stopped in at Lennox Head for a short walk, to see the town and the beach before I drove a few minutes away to Livemore Deli, for one of the best Panini I have ever eaten. Light fresh Focaccia with Salami, Slaw and Mustard. Every bite was even better then the last. The shop has a small Deli and Grocery Store and every day they have a different Panini. One fresh and one toasted.

My journey continued, I stopped at Coffs Harbour for the night- same place and accommodation mum and I stayed at on my travels up. Ordered a Pizza from the Hotel Restaurant and had an early night. My morning started with a Coffee and a walk on the beach, some grounding and reflecting time which I found so important throughout my time coming home. I checked out and went to Peach and Wolf Bakery to buy a few Pastries (because I couldn’t decide on one) and a Coffee. Flaky and buttery Choc Croissant was the perfect way to start the day. I then drove to Port Macquire for a short walk and a Coffee break (there was a lot of coffee consumed on this trip!). My overnight stop was at Nelson Bay and I couldn’t wait to get there, to cook a meal, rest and get to bed early. The drive took way longer than expected as I drove right into a storm and there was heavy rain for the last hour or so of that day’s drive. It was getting dark, I was tired, very worried maps would get me on a gravel road (which it didn’t) and I had no clue where I was going as I had never been there before. I tried to pull over for a bit, but so many other people had the same idea, so I persisted (slowly) and made it to my accommodation a bit frazzled but relieved. I checked in and went over to the supermarket to buy some things for dinner and breakfast.  I cooked a very simple Pesto Pasta for dinner, sitting on the couch in my pjs under the heater, very happy to have a ‘home’ cooked meal to break up all the meals out so far.

Again my morning started with a walk along Nelson Beach- such a cute small town, a Coffee and then a Yoghurt and Pastry in my room, before I hopped in the car to drive to Sydney. Driving into Sydney was pretty crazy as it was a Saturday, and I had just spent the last few days driving on highways and in small towns. The traffic was definitely not what I had been used to especially after living on the Sunshine Coast. I arrived in Bondi to stay with one of my old work friends and she had very kindly cooked me lunch upon my arrival. I ventured to the city that evening to catch up with another friend where we had dinner near the opera house and then had a look at ’Vivid’.

Sunday was spent around Bondi, walking Coogee, Cakes and Panini from Papa Knows Best, Tea and a movie, then dinner at Dinopoli Bondi- eating Pizza, Pasta, Burrata and Tiramisu (all my faves). It was a small local place just off the main street in Bondi. My last day in Bondi started with a walk along the beach, some time with my friend and then the drive continued. I stopped in Berrima where I had a walk through a heritage country town, had some lunch and of course purchased a Lamington (Nonno favourite) before I continued the journey to Canberra. I had never been to Canberra before and although I only stayed one night, I had drinks at a beautiful bar, dinner at a Japanese Mexican restaurant and then ate the most delicious Chilli Scramble for brunch. I caught up with a high school friend, we caught up at the bar Highball before dinner at Inka (Japanese Mexican restaurant). Brunch was at Arc and it is still by far my favourite Chilli Scramble to date. I left Canberra and made a halfway stop at Holbrook Bakery where I had a Sausage Roll and Iced Pink Doughnut for lunch and purchased some Cookies to take home for the family. I then crossed the border from NSW to VIC and stayed the night in Wangaratta. I ordered takeaway from Rinaldos Casa Cucina and feasted on Gnocchi and some Focaccia. This was my last night before I arrived home.

I made the most of my last day and did a few stops on my journey back. Coffee and Pastry in Beechworth, with a walk down the street and a few purchases from the Beechworth Bakery (first time in this beautiful town), I then stopped in Milawa where I purchased a bottle of Piano Piano wine. The saying ‘Piano Piano’ is so special to me as it was a saying that my Nonno Gerry used to say all the time and it is the tattoo on my wrist as a constant reminder of him and to take it slow.

I then continued on and got closer and closer to the city. It was pretty stunning to see the city get bigger and bigger as I drove closer in. I was greeted by little Ruby when I got home and she was pretty excited to see me (I think I was more excited to see her though!). My trip home was big, fun, exhausting, full of tears, full of laughs, delicious foods, catchups, beaches, walks and plenty time with myself before I settled back into city life. I saw parts of Australia I had never seen before and I am looking forward to doing some more travelling soon!