Second Lap: What I'd Do Differently on the East Coast This Time
Did the Melbourne-to-Cairns run once already and swore never again. Six months later, back in a different van, mostly to fix everything I got wrong the first time.
Why I Came Back
Things I Actually Fixed
WikiCamps Premium ($8.49, one-time) instead of guessing - paid for itself in free sites by day three
A $15 12V cooler instead of an esky and ice runs every single day
Booked Whitsundays sailing a day ahead this time, not two weeks - saved $40 off-peak
Sold Bruce to two French girls in Cairns and swore off vans entirely, then spent six months pulling coffees in Melbourne and missing the free BBQs. This time: a rental campervan with actual insulation ($58/day through Jucy), and a rule that I'm not allowed to book anything past 24 hours ahead.
Lap Two, So Far
Skipped Sydney entirely this run - done it, seen it, my bank account remembers the BridgeClimb. Went straight up the New England Highway instead, inland and empty, which nobody recommends and which is exactly why it was good: free camping at Bendemeer, a servo pie that ruined all future pies, and not one other backpacker for four days.
Still can't surf. Did stand up on a wave near Agnes Water this time though, which nobody in Byron witnessed the first time round so I'm claiming it as a first. Would I do a third lap? Ask me after this esky bill. ■
