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We hiked in the Cape Byron Headland Reserve about five years ago, just before I began blogging. Today I am consolidating my photos onto one back-up disk (to keep off-site) and I came across this beautiful spot that I had nearly forgotten about in New South Wales, Australia.

In 2010 we spent 6 weeks in Australia, mostly within driving distance of Brisbane. Our southernmost stop was Byron Bay where we followed the Cape Byron Walking track through the headland reserves and up to the lighthouse, enjoying spectacular views along the way.

Best shared in photos:

Julian Rocks seen from Cape Byron Walking Track in New South Wales, Australia
Julian Rocks seen from Cape Byron Walking Track
View from Cape Byron Walking Track, NSW Australia
Another view along the hiking trail
Eastern Most Point of Australian Mainland
We are standing at the easternmost point of the Australian mainland. This photo is over 5 years old, which is why our girls look so young.
Sign at top of Cape Byron Headland Reserve, NSW Australia
The sign as we approach the lighthouse reads: “Congratulations! You chose to walk. A cheaper, healthier and environmentally responsible way to go! By choosing to walk the coastal track from the lighthouse to Wategos Beach instead of using a car on the road, you saved one kilogram of greenhouse gas from going into the atmosphere!”
Lighthouse at Cape Byron Headland Reserve, NSW Australia
Lighthouse at Cape Byron Headland Reserve
Jeff and Rhonda Albom in NSW Australia
A rare nice photo of hubby and I
View From Cape Byron Headland Reserve, NSW Australia
A view from the top

This is the legend of the Julian Rocks, copied from a sign at the site:

“This spectacular rock formation features prominently in the mythology of local Koori people. One story tells of a man call Wao and Nguthungulli “father of the whole world”, who lives in a cave in a big rock which stands in the sea “six miles out from Byron Bay”. Wao followed two emus who were the spirit of his deceased brother, Jarring. He followed them from Woodenbong to the coast at Byron Bay. At the coast, Wao was taken by Nguthungulli to a cave and given a song, which he took back to his people. 

Another story tells of two lovers from different clans who ran into the sea to escape their parent’s wrath. The lovers were drowned and transformed into the rocks.”

 

Would you walk or drive to the see the lighthouse at Cape Byron Headland Reserve? Which legend of the Julian Rocks did you prefer? If you are writing, what do you do when you are stuck?

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Cape Byron Headland Reserve in Byron Bay NSW Australia

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  2. Stunning photos! The picture with you and your hubby is quite cute too! I like that the sign told you how much greenhouse gas you saved by walking. Congrats to Sarah! I’m excited about your book, and hope you feel better soon, Rhonda!

    Reply

    • Thanks Julie. And, I agree, I was quite pleased to find it as I hadn’t looked at these older photos in year. Of course I am no longer blonde, and he has less hair, but I still like it. I loved the sign too. I remembered it and that’s why I went looking for this set of photos.

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  4. I prefer the lovers story.
    great photos, as always. You’re like me, hubby and I don’t have a lot of pictures together either. He hates the camera as much as I do, although I do wield it and he ignores it.
    Always moving on when you’re stuck makes sense, it will come.
    I woke up this morning with a Halloween story forming in my head. Had it completed in a couple of hours. Feeling accomplished!

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    • I generally have the camera, so I am on the other side of the photos. Hubby and I are both picky about which shots of us can stay around, so there are not enough. As for your story in a few hours, impressive.

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    • That is one spot in the US I have yet to see. I lived in San Francisco, have been up to the top of California and flew to Seattle. Somehow I have missed Oregon. Now, whenever we go to the states we are expected to visit family all over, so limited time and money to go to extra spots.

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  9. I would walk! And I prefer the first “story.” There is a magic to it instead of trauma… Sometimes I walk away, as you did, when I get stuck, and sometimes I just slug through. Depends on what I’m writing!

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  11. I’m really excited for Sarah. My sister went to South Africa through AFS too (of course, in this case A stands for American). She had an amazing experience. Congratulations to her and your family.

    Love the hospitality and spirit of the “congrats for walking” sign.

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    • Actually in all cases. AFS is American Field Service, but they are world wide now. So she will go with AFS New Zealand. I am glad your sister had a good experience. AFS seems to have such a good reputation.

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  12. What a beautiful place! I think that perhaps I would have chosen to walk. I’m a fan of walking in general – the slower pace allows me to see more. As for the legends, I like the 2nd one better. 😉

    I host a Photo Friday link-up each week – this would be a great post for it. I’d love it if you would consider joining me. The link-up goes live tomorrow night 😉

    Reply

  13. Those pictures are gorgeous, especially the one with the water going over the rocks.

    Good luck with your edits! Skipping what gets you stuck is something I do all the time. In fact, I skipped three chapters in my current WIP. I’d be done with it by now if only I could write those three chapters. haha

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    • I still have a long way to go, and now that have your editing guide I may be starting over. Fantastic tips, clear and so much easier than just looking for adverbs to eliminate.

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  20. These are great pics even if it was a rather gray day – the ocean looks positively forbidding. In the very last pic, is the long ribbon of gray a path going down to the end of the rocks? (If it is I wonder if it’s for the brave or the foolhardy – or perhaps for emus who are really Wao’s brother…) Congrats on skipping the chapter and plowing ahead! That’s the way you have to do it sometimes. I hope your headaches become more manageable soon.

    Yay for Sarah’s new Zazzle shop! I think Argentina sounds very exciting.

    Wishing your family a great week! 🙂

    Reply

    • It was really pretty despite the grey day, sometimes I can get better shots on these days. If I remember correctly, it is a path, but not with a view of the Julian Rocks – although I love your theory.
      I am really proud of Sarah, although I will miss her for a year.

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    • I am pretty pleased with that photo of hubby and I as well, although my hair is no longer blonde. I walk every day now, so I think it would be even easier for me today than it was back then.

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  25. …if you miss the sun in Australia, it was for more or less the whole summer here in Germany!!! 😉

    Greeting from the other side of this great planet!

    Uwe.

    Reply

  28. Hi Rhonda – lovely photos and happy memories must have been brought back – love the photos. My brother and SIL have great friends who live there and have visited … Australia and NZ are still on my list – one day …

    Well done on skipping on with the editing and you’ll find that stuck bit will be unstuck fairly soon … cheers Hilary

    Reply

  29. Your photos are great, you look like you had a wonderful time! I have visited a few light houses, they are so amazing and have so much history. Karren

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  34. Wow, gorgeous place! My Guy has been to Australia for work several times, but he’s been in Darwin all those times. We’ve talked about visiting, but he hates the flight.

    I don’t write a lot of fiction, but I write a lot of technical papers for work. If I get stuck on a certain section, I’ll move on to a different section and hope that by putting those thoughts in order, it will help with the section I’m stuck on.

    Reply

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