After taking a rest day in Byron Bay to wait for some storms to pass and improve my surfing skills, today’s journey continued south toward Ballina. Before leaving the area, I made a memorable detour inland to visit the spectacular Minyon Falls — one of the most impressive waterfalls in the region. The walk through the lush rainforest and the view from the lookout were absolutely worth it, even with the unsettled weather.

The morning began with extremely heavy rain, making an early start impractical. Instead, I waited until lunch time for conditions to improve before setting off. Fortunately, the weather gradually cleared, and the second half of the ride turned into a completely different experience. Sunshine broke through the clouds, the roads began to dry, and the final kilometres toward Ballina were smooth, warm, and very enjoyable.

Riding along the coast with improving weather after such a wet start made the day feel especially rewarding. Along the way I also managed another quick surf session, which was a lot of fun and a perfect way to balance endurance cycling with some ocean time.

Overall, it was a varied day — rainforest exploration, challenging weather, coastal riding, and waves — all packed into one stage of the expedition.

Key takeaway: Despite a stormy start, the day turned into a rewarding coastal ride filled with rainforest scenery, sunshine, and a quick surf on the way to Ballina.