Looking for a Hemsworth

Leaving the Sunshine State behind, we headed a short way down the Pacific Motorway to set up camp in the small town of Mullumbimby, or Mullum, as everyone calls it. The Bundjalung, Minjungbal and Widjabul peoples are the traditional custodians of the land in Byron Shire.

Mullumbimby's an interesting place. Previously known for its alternative lifestyle it now appears, on the surface at least, to be all about Eggs Benny and a soy latte for brunch with a designer dog nestling at your feet. But once the would-be hippies have gone home with their bags full of organic veggies, the old Mullum comes out to play. The streets start to fill with laidback locals and their kelpies. Relics who somehow made it through the '60s in one piece settle with a beer outside the pub, and dreadlocked buskers play Dylan and Hendrix on worn out guitars.

It's kinda fun, despite the "no dogs allowed" sign at the Saturday markets. What's that about?

Yesterday we explored the coastal towns of Brunswick Heads and Ballina, and today we had our usual family chat over breakfast when we decide on the day's agenda. I suggested going to the Chrystal Castle here in Mullum to sort out our Qi. The Labs decided there was absolutely nothing wrong with their Qi and they'd rather go to the beach and look for a Hemsworth.

I was out-voted, so we hopped in the car and headed to Byron Bay. We didn't find a Hemsworth, or any other celebrity, but we did pay an eye-watering $8 to park at the Cape Byron Lighthouse. Since we'd missed Australia's northernmost point by about 300kms of dirt road, we thought we should at least see the easternmost point and so we forked out the moolah. We can only hope the southern- and westernmost points are both accessible and cheaper to park the car.

After the Lighthouse and a short swim at a dog-friendly beach in Byron, we made our way to Lennox Head for a leisurely stroll along Seven Mile Beach. That's 11.265 kilometres in new money. We didn't walk it all. Here are some photos for your enjoyment.