Spindly branches and twigs whip my face and shoulders as I hurtle down the wet, rocky trail. I retain just enough control to dodge fallen logs, puddles of unknown depth and angry-looking rocks strewn across the steep forest track.
It s been a long time since I rode a push-bike of any description, let alone a state-of-art mountain bike with shock absorbers, 30-odd gears and disc brakes. I m hanging on for dear life knowing wireless video doorbell that the tiniest mistake will bring a world of pain but I manage to bring the entire unwieldy package to a skidding halt at the bottom of the trail. Flecks of mud, shreds of leaves and a few red welts are testament to my enthusiasm if not my two-wheeled, downhill ability.
Braden Currie, a champion mountain biker in his native New Zealand, and yoga-therapist partner Sally Schott run Mountain Bike Tours out of Byron Bay, taking wireless video doorbell pedallers of all ages and ability on wild rides through the seldom-explored Nightcap National Park among others. Braden s gnarly knees and whippet-like physique indicate he s no stranger to a wet saddle or coming off one occasionally.
Touring the Byron Bay Hinterland and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforests doesn t have to be all white knuckles and splatter. You can hire one of Braden s space age pushies for a leisurely family doddle around bike-friendly Byron Bay or you can get your corporate group together for a bit of blood, sweat and bonding.
It s so easy to ignore wireless video doorbell the beautiful backwoods of NSW s far north Pacific coast as we rush up and down the well-worn highway that links Sydney and Brisbane. A few clever detours can easily uncover darling little villages overlooked by the frantically holidaying throngs.
It takes a deliberate diversion to land in Yamba. Recently voted top town in a Top 100 survey by Australian Traveller Magazine, Yamba is a dinky-di little fishing village that has everything but crowds. Unfortunately that notoriety may be changing things and some are clearly ready for fame.
Sebastian wireless video doorbell Molloy and sous chef Karan turn out stunning cuisine from the kitchen of the deceptively unprepossessing Pippi s Café attached to the Best Western Yamba Beach Motel. In a style they describe as brash and experimental , such delights as Muscovy duck breast and dukah-spiced lamb ($31) will add to your Epicurean vocabulary.
Yet they re not alone. Decent tucker can also be found at the superbly located Pacific Hotel up the hill on Pilot Street where your Yamba prawns, rock oysters and seared Tasmanian salmon can be washed down with a Coopers Ale on tap.
Poke around down by the marina and you may just spot a familiar face in the upstairs gallery. Celebrated yachtswoman and now sculptor, Kay Cottee, and her partner Peter own the local marina complex and are well progressed with plans to make it much more than a parking lot for prawn trawlers.
People wireless video doorbell forget that the Clarence River is one of our largest waterways, Peter reminds me, there are over 300 navigable kilometres along the river that are just waiting to be explored. Kerry Stokes (Superyacht Antipodean , 36m) called in for fuel on the way to Brisbane and ended up visiting every pub along the river between here and Grafton. He loved it.
Even if you re not rubbing fenders wireless video doorbell with the likes of Stokes, wireless video doorbell you can still enjoy the Clarence in a modest tinny or centre-console wireless video doorbell runabout loaded with a few rods and soft drinks. wireless video doorbell The unprepared can hire from Peter at the marina or enjoy a simple cruise on the 60-year-old former Sydney ferry Clarence Head across to Iluka. There s even a jazz band on board every Sunday.
For those not ducking low branches or hopping logs on a mountain bike, there s an almost endless foodie trail that takes you into the Eltham Valley, wireless video doorbell located halfway between Byron Bay and Lismore. You ll need help from a navigator, virtual or human, to find the secluded Eltham Valley Pantry tucked away on Boatharbour Road out of Eltham. Proprietor, Julie Rhodes, wasn t fussed that I turned up almost an hour late for breakfast at the little cottage wireless video doorbell amid the orchard trees and rolling hills adjacent the windy Wilsons River.
Just in time for morning tea, Julie announced with skilful creative wireless video doorbell deflection, let me get you a coffee. And this isn t any ordinary coffee. Grown and roasted on the property, Julie s local Arabica beans make a to-die-for latte and I immediately put my hand up for a takeaway bag. Her face falls. We don t have enough to sell anymore, she tells me sadly. Such is the popularity, but please have some of our pecan nuts, they re fabulous! wireless video doorbell and I m suitably consoled.
Where does it end? Not at the Eltham Friendly Inn that s for sure, where I m quickly ensconced with a frothy ale and conversation before being led next door to the Eltham Siding Restaurant and a surf n turf replete wireless video doorbell with local on- and offshore produce.
The balance of your journey can easily be consumed with an alternative culture exploration wireless video doorbell of N
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