After a lovely, quiet evening with no other campers in sight, dawn rose softly around us. A beautiful sunrise spilled across the sky, warming the treetops and easing us into the day. We left our beautiful beach camp and continued drifting south, the morning still warm on our backs. At Coffs Harbour we paused for a breather — a quick coffee, a swim to cool the skin, and then back on the road. By lunchtime we’d reached Nambucca Heads, the coastline unfolding in long, bright stretches.
By mid‑afternoon the heat had crept up again, so we detoured to Grassy Head for another swim, the water a welcome shock of blue. Further south we tried our luck at Crescent Head, only to find every campground packed to the brim. The map showed a free site a couple of hours inland, so we pointed the car that way and hoped for the best.
Swans Crossing Campground was already heaving when we arrived, but we managed to squeeze into a small patch of ground and raise the tent. As dusk settled, more travellers trickled in, including a couple with a caravan who tucked themselves in close beside us. The night was far from peaceful — music drifting through the trees, laughter bouncing between caravans, children racing in circles — but it was free, and the stars still shone above it all.
