Hello dear readers,

I have now completed my first full week of cycling along the Australian coastline, and I can honestly say it has been an incredible adventure so far. Every day brings new impressions, beautiful landscapes, and many friendly people that I meet along the way. It is amazing how welcoming everyone is when they hear about the journey. Over the past week I have now covered around 400 kilometres, slowly making my way south while enjoying everything Australia has to offer.

Today started with a peaceful morning after sleeping in my tent next to the beach at Corindi. Waking up to the sound of the ocean is something special, and before starting the ride I enjoyed a refreshing surf session in the morning waves. The conditions were perfect and it was a great way to start the day before getting back on the trike.

At around 10 o’clock I began cycling south towards Coffs Harbour. The weather could not have been better, with clear blue skies, light winds and warm sunshine around 28 degrees. The ride along this part of the coast is very beautiful, with the ocean on one side and green forested hills on the other.

By midday I arrived in Coffs Harbour where I stopped for lunch and a short rest. It is a lively coastal town with plenty of activity, but for solo travelling and camping I usually prefer smaller locations where it is easier to find quiet spots close to the beach and basic amenities. After recharging myself and the batteries, I decided to keep riding further south rather than staying in the city.

The afternoon ride was very enjoyable as I followed the coastline through smaller communities and scenic stretches of road. Along the journey I continue to see a surprising amount of Australian wildlife. Over the past week I have spotted kangaroos, wallabies, paddy melons and even several snakes. Fortunately the snakes I saw today had already been run over by cars, so there was no close encounter on the road!

Eventually I reached the small coastal town of Valla Beach where I decided to stop for the evening. The locals were incredibly helpful and friendly, showing me a place where I could recharge my batteries and pitch my tent for the night close to the beach. Experiences like this remind me how kind and welcoming people can be when travelling.

It has been a fantastic day of riding with perfect weather, beautiful scenery and another step further south on this journey. Now it is time to rest and prepare for the next stage of the expedition tomorrow.

Key Takeaway: A perfect coastal riding day from Corindi to Valla Beach with sunshine, wildlife sightings, friendly locals and another milestone in the first week of the Brisbane–Melbourne expedition.