1. The North Coast

When you go to the north coast, drive in light rain and arrive in sunshine, for contrast. Notice the greenness, the closeness of the border, and the beginning of subtropical landscapes. Play old Rolling Stones tapes. Think about Fast Bucks, Big Bananas and the Motel Nirvana. Avoid canal estates, Macdonalds and flat tyres. Go to Byron Bay and sit on the veranda in the evenings. Face the sea and listen to the wind in the spindly bangalow palms on the cliff behind you. Listen to the talk about going into Byron to buy fish and chips. Open another bottle of champagne instead.