Road Trip

Last Saturday we left Sydney to go up to the Gold Coast in Queensland for the National Underwater Hockey Championships (more about that later). We drove up to Harrington (another town in New South Wales) on Saturday, spent the night there, and then made the rest of the trip up to the Gold Coast on Sunday. Spending 12 hours in a van with the eight 16 to 20 year olds on the team was a real treat, let me tell you. Luckily the scenery was beautiful and there were a few fun stops along the way.
This is in Harrington, a small beach town about 4 or 5 hours north of Sydney.


Crowdy Head lighthouse, established in 1878.


A beach in Crowdy Head, near Harrington. This beach was incredible, there were dolphins swimming in the water and we were the only people there.


On Sunday I made a request to stop in Coffs Harbour, which is still in NSW (the states are enormous here). There was an incredibly important tourist landmark I was desperate to see: the big banana. There are tons of big, artificial things in Australia. It's the most bizarre concept, but it's amazing how well it works. There were so many people at the big banana, all buying banana merchandise in the gift shop and eating at the cafe and ice cream stand. There's also a small amusement park there with slides and a luge (without ice, of course). I can't decide what's more ridiculous: the fact that someone thought of this, or that people go to things like this! We also drove by the giant prawn, which was missing an eye. I suggested stopping there as well, but sadly I was denied the pleasure of a photo with the giant prawn.
I highly suggest you check out this website for more information on the big things.