The Best of Australia’s East Coast

Aaron Bradford — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:17:07 +0000

Originally posted on Travel Asia - Travel Europe| Bangkok to Krakow.com

Photo from Flickr by Maedi

The east coast of Australia includes thousands of miles of shoreline. Within a week to ten days, visitors can view the highlights from Melbourne to Cairns.

Melbourne

The trip begins at Melbourne. The city is popular because of its diversity and dining, its unconventional art shows, shopping and shows.

Phillip Island

Phillips Island is 140 km east from Melbourne. The island is 9 km by 24 km and accessible by car. Signs indicate the site off the Monash Freeway, and drivers can reach the island by a bridge. The island is a fantastic place to observe the penguins, pelicans and koalas. The penguins are in their natural environment at the Phillip Island Nature Park. Visitors can view the penguins from the boardwalk, viewing platform or tour. The Koalas are on view at the Koala Conservation Centre near Cowres. The pelicans are seen at the San Remo Fishing Port.

Sydney

Sydney will take several days to visit. It is known for its harbour. Essential to the tour of Sydney a cruise of Sydney Harbour to determine how the geography of the Harbour has created the city’s character. Other spots to visit in the city are the night view of the spotlight on Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a favourite getaway site close to Sydney. It is a celebration of beaches, bars, restaurants, shops, spa and massage. Visitors to the beach can walk around the lighthouse and take in the boutiques. The Julian Rocks Marine Reserve displays marine life and permits snorkelling among the turtles. Visit the Hinterland to see the Crystal Castle.

Brisbane

Brisbane is Queensland’s hectic capital. Visitors can cruise on the river or take a ferry to Moreton Island where they can feed a wild dolphin by hand.

Noosa

Noosa is a town in Queensland about 125 km from Brisbane. It is on the sea and is known for its stunning beaches, national park, treks in the forest, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. It is off the beaten track so gets travellers can relax. The town is popular with backpackers but, with its protected beaches, would be a suitable site for families.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island is one of Australia’s National Parks. It is unusual because it consists totally of sand. It is 123 km in length and 22 km in width. It has lengthy sand beaches and rain forests where the trees grow to immense heights out of the sand. It takes a 4WD to drive on the beaches and through the rainforests. Camping is permitted on areas of the beaches.

Cairns

Cairns is in the north of Queensland. The tours take in the rainforest inland and the tropical beaches. Many QLD holiday packages will include Cairns as the hub for discovering the Great Barrier Reef with is diving, snorkelling or viewing the water from a glass-bottom boat.

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Photo from Flickr by ohsarahrose

**Guest post by Aussie nomad Josh Geelen**

I wholeheartedly believe that it is necessary to visit the most famous sites or participate in the finest activities any new destination has to offer. However, I’m the sort of person who would look at, let’s say, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty or Checkpoint Charlie and be able to quickly appreciate its wonder before saying, “Boom! Done with that… now quickly off to the next thing.”

Impatient? Yes. But I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting to discover completely random and unique things about a city rather than following every other tourist around to the same sites. Take Berlin as an example.

Did you know that Berlin is huge? Of course you did. But with great size comes great variety. Here I’ve compiled a list of 5 unique, weird and wacky things to do in the German capital.

1. The Badeschiff

Atop the polluted and unswimmable River Spree sits a former river-barge-turned-swimming pool. Like a scene from Ibiza with hot tanned bods among the urban sprawl, the Badeschiff (translation: bathing ship) transforms into a banging nightclub come sundown.

2. Go-Karting

Do I mean on a go-kart track? No – we’re talking the public roads of Berlin!

I miss Mario Kart. My N64 broke after two years of solid use and while my parents never bought me another one, my favorite game is now come a dream come true. If you have a driver’s licence, you can hire a set of wheels and tear around the city. Reckless driving and throwing banana peels under cars is strongly recommended.

3. Return to Socialism

Doesn’t sound too inviting does it? Well, when tourists leave their self-catering apartments in Berlin, they can head to one of the most interactive museums in the world and see what an apartment was like during the German Democratic Republic. The DDR Museum offers a hands-on experience of an era long gone.

4. Legoland

I’m continuing on from Mario Kart with some more childhood nostalgia. AWWW YEAHHH, as much Lego as the eye can see! Tours, rides, manufacture and construct your own….I don’t need to say any more.

5. Get Weird at the Kit-Kat Club

Their motto is “Do what you want but stay in communication”. This is definitely not for everyone. But if you’re up for it and open minded it would be a truly unforgettable experience. Dress code is strict. You’ll need latex, leather or anything glamorous and extravagant. By the way it was opened by a pornographic film maker… just to prepare you.

Don’t like my list of things? Too bad. Someone else will be doing these while you wander around The Berlin Wall.

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Photo from Flickr by MikeBehnken

No trip to Thailand would be complete without making at least a whistle-stop visit to Bangkok. Having booked the flight, organised your worldwide travel insurance and arranged accommodation, it’s time to plan your day in Bangkok.

Temples and Palaces

Famed for the impressive architecture, graceful spires and priceless treasures within them, the temples and palaces of Bangkok should be on every day-trip list. Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), with its decorated 70-metre spire is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The central Buddha image was cast in the reign of King Rama II and sits over the spot where his ashes are buried.

The Grand Palace is where you’ll also find Wat Phra Kaew, with its famous Emerald Buddha. Being a sacred site, visitors must follow a strict dress code of long sleeves and no bare shoulders or feet.

Markets

Lively, chaotic and colourful, Bangkok’s markets are in complete contrast to the often reverent atmosphere of the temples. In the Chinatown market you’ll find local delicacies cooked on the spot. Experiment with dishes such as bird’s nest or shark fin soup while browsing the wares of hundreds of stalls and small shops.

For a different market experience, a visit to the floating markets of Bangkok is a must. Small boats throng the canals clamouring for attention. Some are floating kitchens selling food cooked on the boat, while other have local goods and produce for sale. The most famous and popular among tourists is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Noisy and chaotic, it’s an experience not to be missed.

Evening Relaxation

After a hectic day shopping and sightseeing, it’s good to relax and wind down with a meal. One of the best ways of seeing the city by night is to take a dinner cruise along the Chao Praya River, taking in such sights as the lit temples and soaring modern skyscrapers as you enjoy the luxury on board.

An alternative way to view the city by night is to have your evening meal in one of the many stylish rooftop restaurants in Bangkok. Choose carefully and you’ll get the perfect bird’s-eye view across the vast city in an awe-inspiring panorama. Book your table for late afternoon and enjoy cocktails as you watch the sun setting over the Chao Praya River.

A day in Bangkok isn’t much time to spend when there’s so much to see and do, but it’s enough to give you a rich taste of Thai city life.

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Photo from Fickr by jbelluch

Provided you’re happy to cut a few corners here and there, it really is possible to be a backpacker in Barcelona on €25 per day. Here’s how.

Accommodation

Dorm beds in main tourist areas of the city cost from as little as €12 a night and 99% of them include breakfast. Don’t be ashamed to fill up on the free buffet – hostel owners expect it, which is why it’s basic: usually bread, cheese and meat.

Alternatively, if you’re a group planning on staying for a few weeks or more, then you can actually save money by renting a cheap apartment. Having your own kitchen cuts down significantly on eating costs. For a list of available apartments in Barcelona please click here.

Activities

Unfortunately, it’s the ‘doing stuff’ that seems to cost money when you’re backpacking. Luckily, Barcelona is such a stunning city that walking around and soaking up the atmosphere is one of its greatest (free) attractions.

Parc Guell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. It’s at the top of El Carmel hill, reached by a series of seemingly unending escalators. It has sweeping views across the city and colourful mosaic artworks.

There’s also La Rambla, home to the daily performances of street artists and con men. Keep your hands in your pockets though – this is the heart of Barcelona’s petty crime. The nearby Gothic Quarter is a stunning part of the city with gorgeous old buildings. It’s easy to appreciate it even if architecture isn’t your thing.

So far, so good on the budget front. However, there are a couple of tourist must-sees that will cost you a bit of cash. These will tip you over €25 but on the other days you’ll only spend around €15. Winner!

The first is Barcelona FC’s Nou Camp stadium (entry €22). Even if you’re not into football (like me), it’s a great day out and feels a little bit like taking a peek into a hidden celebrity world. There’s also the world’s most famous construction project, the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia. The winding staircases are a bit claustrophobic but up close the cathedral is beautiful as is the view from the top (entry €12.50/€10.50).

Finally, if that all sounds a bit too cultured, there’s always the beach. Sure, it may be man-made, but hey – a beach is a beach. Definitely the cheapest way for sun-lovers to spend time in the capital.

Eating

Spanish supermarkets are very good. Grab a baguette, some cheese, maybe even a cheap bottle of vino and park yourself somewhere pretty for the ultimate cheap dinner. It’s simple but satisfying.

Several of the big hostels offer free dinner (even if you’re not staying there). Eating hours are restricted (say 7–8pm) but you can eat as much as you like, usually pasta, potatoes, etc. Grab a drink and get chatting to other people. It’s a great way to make new friends.

Budgeting tips

Don’t rely on your guidebook – use the city’s fantastic tourist offices. They’ll give you detailed maps, answer questions and give you flyers for free or discounted events.
Students with an ISIC card can get you a load of discounts on everything from food to bus fares. Non-students and those over 25 can use an IYTC card. (€22, valid for one year.)
Museums are usually free on the first Sunday of each month and allow EU visitors free admission on certain days.

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Photo from Flickr by: geoftheref

If you’re visiting Thailand during your travels, you’ll be met with a host of options for accommodation from windowless madhouses (think The Beach) to world-class resorts. Most people who go travelling can’t afford to spend money on luxury hotels, so here’s how you can save money and get the most out of your accommodation.

Get away from the city centre

Bangkok is a destination for all – from European hipsters in search of neon-lit hedonism to the choice of affluent Asians who like to consider affordable city breaks. Hotels and hostels in the centre of Bangkok – say, along the popular Th. Sukhumvit – will cost more than those out of town purely due to their proximity to the main shopping centres and great restaurants. If you can find somewhere 5 or 10 mins away from the centre by a taxi, or even better, close to a Skytrain or Metro station, then you’ll save yourself some money that could be spent elsewhere.

A taxi from the popular Khao San Road to the city centre costs around 120B (US $4) so try and factor any journeys you’ll make into any calculations you come up with when working out what a hotel will cost.

Negotiate!

There is always room for negotiation on anything – just remember to smile and always be polite. Negotiating is generally accepted at guesthouses and mid-range hotels, and you’ll do yourself a favour by learning some Thai phrases, notably ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and basic numbers. If you’re planning on staying for a more than a few days, you may be able to wangle a few nights for free.

Ask to see the room first

Always ask to see the room you’d be staying in first. It could help you in your bargaining position – if you’re not totally happy with it, you may be able to knock them down on the price. Remember, you can always say no after seeing the room; you are not committed to anything.

When are you staying?

Between May and October, due to it being ‘low’ season and prone to rain and flooding, there is always a fantastic selection of low cost holiday apartments on special deal. Some hotels advertise discounts of up to 30% during these summer months to try and get people in. Remember that even in rainy season, there’s still plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed.

Guesthouses

Guesthouses are great if you’re on a tight budget, as they can cost next to nothing. However you will have to compromise on comfort and living standards. The majority are basic, cheap and cheerful. However, cheaper places tend to attract a younger crowd, meaning they can be quite noisy, so it’s worth bearing that in mind, especially if you’re a light sleeper.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected or mandatory, especially in hotels. However if you leave a tip on the first night you may find the rest of your stay more comfortable and you will be treated very well by the staff. Again this could put you in a better bargaining position should you wish to negotiate a couple more nights’ stay.

Some words of advice…

If you have a problem with your room, dress up before you go to complain – if you are in scruffy clothes you may not be taken seriously. Thai people pride themselves on their appearance, so throwing on a shirt can help your cause.

Don’t get mad – no matter what the problem is, shouting will be considered ignorant and rude. Thai people try to stick to a philosophy of keeping calm or jai yen (cool heart), so to go in all guns blazing won’t get you very far.

If you’re sleeping somewhere a bit grubby, use your own sleeping bag or silk bag liner. It just feels nicer to have your own sheets sometimes.

If you are a male travelling alone or in a group of males, don’t be surprised if you are asked if you would like a girl sent to your room, or even one knocking on your door selling ‘services’.

Adhere to local customs – some locations may expect you to take your shoes off, especially in internet cafes or shops. This will be clearly signposted outside, so don’t ignore them. Also, learn the wai – a Thai greeting used to greet someone older, or just a sign of notable politeness.

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Photo from Flickr by lawtonjm

Its definately not the most luxiourious choice of accommodation and most of the time you don’t choose to sleep there, but sometimes it just happens. I have slept in many airports, whether its too late to leave the airport when you arrive, you have to wait to change planes, or there is genuinely no other option. Don’t worry!! Here are a few tips so if and when the situation arises you are prepared.

1. Always travel with an inflatable neck pillow – inflatable opposed to bean bag pillows take up much less room in your luggage. If you are travelling for a long period of time you would be silly not to own one. These pillows can not only help for sleeping in airports but sleeping really anywhere. They also save your neck from alot of unnecessary strain. They are cheap and are avaliable for almost every airport gift shop.

2. Look after your belongings! Even though you are surrounded by security and cameras it only takes one bad person to turn your hoilday into stressville. Always keep your most important belongings on you; either under your top in your pants or in your travel pack which is strapped to your stomach.

I always have either rope or ribbon tied to my suitcase when I am travelling. This is not only great to distinguise your black suitcase from other travellers but also when you have to sleep in a public place I always tie the rope from my suitcase then the otherside around my wrist, so if you do doze off and someone tries to move your bag you will feel it and wake up.

3. Choose a spot with the crowd; there will always be others sleeping or waiting in the airport.

4. Inflatable lilos are also a great thing to have when your are travelling. They are cheap, light and a great way to keep comfortable whilst travelling. Yoga mats are also sufficent.

5. Change the time on your watch or phone to suit your new destination, there is nothing worse than missing a connection, flight or any other prior travel arrangements.

6. There are always hire lockers in the airport- so use them if thats what you are most comfortable with.

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Photo from flickr by credit_00

After spending a wonderful week in Hurghada, Egypt I would recommend it to anyone looking for a more offbeat winter holiday. We stayed in El Dahhar in the north of the city and furthest from the resorts. Here are a few things you should definitely try if you are planning to visit Hurghada.

A souk you can get lost in

We spent hours wandering through all the little back streets full of traditional shops. You can buy anything from spices to leather sandals here, and I got a great deal on a silver necklace after haggling for it over cups of mint tea.

Traditional shisha cafes

We some orange tobacco smoked through traditional water pipes in a small cafe near the souk. It goes perfectly with thick, sweet Arabic coffee but can be very strong!

Beautiful beaches

One of the main reasons to visit Hurghada has to be the miles and miles of perfect sandy beaches. If you want to sunbathe, head for one of the private beaches near the resorts, many of which allow non residents to use the beach, pools and bars.

See the Sinai Peninsula

Hughada is really well situated for several day trips. We took a ferry to Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab and went snorkelling around the coral reefs. The weather was amazing and we really enjoyed the boat ride over even though it was really windy!

Visit the Bedouin Village

Although it was a little bit touristy we had a great time visiting the Bedouin Village in the desert, where we tried pancake-like moraras cooked on flat metal stoves. This day trip is definitely worth taking and we wished we could go again.

Ride a camel

If you’ve never ridden a camel before it’s a lot of fun, if a bit bumpy! We missed this when we visited the desert but camel owners are easy to find on the beach. If you are planning to try this pick a camel with a comfortable looking saddle.

Visit the mosque

The Aldahaar Mosque is well worth a visit. It has the most beautiful white stonework and decorative ceilings. It also gave us a welcome break from the heat!

Dance the night away at Papas Beach Club

This was by far our favourite night spot – we went twice and had a great night both times. The club is quite intense and crazy but you can have a drink on the beach which is a bit more relaxed, and there is something going on there every night.

A sunrise to remember

The sunrise is worth getting up for (or not going to bed for) and early in the morning the air is amazingly clear and we could see for miles.

Amazing seafood

I have wonderful memories of the food I tried on my visit to Hurghada. The seafood is exceptional, and many restaurants let you pick out your fish (some are still swimming around). I really enjoyed the fried calamari which was perfectly cooked and amazingly tender.

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Elephant at Etosha National Park. Photo by Joachim Huber

People, landscape, history, wildlife and safaris – this exotic Southern African country ticks so many boxes for intrepid travellers. Here are five compelling reasons to check out a holiday there.

1. Enigmatic people

Namibia might be one of the world’s least densely populated nations (there are thought to be only just over two million people living there) but it does boast a rich mix of different tribes. This makes a visit to the country a fascinating cultural experience.

The Herero arrived in Namibia in the mid-16^th century; originally settling in Kaokoland – some of the country’s 100,000 Herero population still live in the region. Herero women’s dress takes the form of an enormous crinoline worn over a series of petticoats topped off with a horn-shaped hat or headdress – a style which was popularised by Victorian-era German missionaries.

The Himba are descended from the Herero but have never taken to wearing western-style clothes. Instead, the lady Herero folk retain their multi-layered goat-skin skirts, wear shell jewellery and favour smearing their skin with a mixture of butter, ash and ochre to keep it smooth. Their rejection of western ways can be explained by the fact they live in Kaokoveld – Namibia’s wildest territory.

2. Areas which are just desert

Damaraland, in the north-west of Namibia, is renowned for its desert rhino and desert elephant. Journey to the Brandberg ‘massif’ and you can climb the 2573-metre-high Konigstein, Namibia’s highest peak, and get a great view of the desert wilderness where only the hardiest people and animals can survive. The scenery and wildlife have certainly informed the prehistoric rock engravings of Twyfelfontain and many other areas in the region. Damaraland’s Petrified Forest also provides a record of the landscape of the planet millions of years ago – the 50 ‘petrified’ tree trunks there are thought to be about 260 million years old. Perfectly-reserved, it is thought that the tree trunks were carried to their present location in a flood.

3. Skeletons, ship wrecks and ghost towns

In the north-west of Namibia there is the Skeleton Coast – a stretch of coast shrouded in fog where many a ship has run aground. These mysterious shipwrecks remain inaccessible to tourists – if they were in easy reach of the shore their crews might just have been rescued. However, the cape fur seals in the region are easier to spot; particularly the colony at Cape Cross Seal Reserve. There is definitely a ‘haunted’ theme to Namibia’s coastline – far to the south of the shipwrecks and Skeleton Coast, near the town of Luderitz, is the ghost town of Kolmanskop. This eerie place once had a casino, skittle alley and a popular theatre. Today, you can tour the ghostly deserted buildings which have yet to be swallowed up by the dunes and sands of time.

4. Cheetah

As Namibia has such diverse wildlife it is perhaps unfair to single out one animal as a symbol of the country’s appeal to safari holiday fans. However, if you had to, you would probably single out cheetah – the writers of the BBC’s Big Cat Cheetah Diary book call Namibia “the cheetah capital of the world”. It is a well-deserved title as the country is thought to be home to a quarter of the world’s cheetahs.

It’s amazing to think that a nation which can be home to penguins and fur seals can also be home to cheetah; a fact which emphasises the wonderful diversity of wildlife and landscapes to be found in Namibia.

5. Etosha National Park

With an area of more than 20,000 square kilometres, Etosha National Park is easily big enough to be home to hundreds of species of animals; including lion, elephant, rhino and a glorious selection of birdlife. And it’s always got room for wildlife-loving tourists. These tourists can view wildlife clustering around the water holes in the dry winter season or find animals sheltering in the bush during warm and wet summers. Night drives in Namibia also offers visitors a unique chance to see some of the country’s unusual nocturnal wildlife.

James Christie writes for Safari Consultants, providers of Namibia, South Africa and Botswana safaris.

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Khao San Road from Flickr by rbrands

Southeast Asia is unlike any other backpacker trail – incredibly beautiful, but well trodden to the point of being worn out by travellers looking for an authentic experience at the bottom of a whisky bucket.

It’s also different from Europe or Australia/NZ where there are plenty of party hostels bursting with backpackers in every town. In Asia, hostels don’t really exist and dorms are few and far between. When you’re new in town, you have to choose some kind of guesthouse on the spectrum from rundown rat-hole to 5-star luxury. If you’re travelling alone, you’ll have to put in a bit more effort to meet people – on buses, out and about, in bars and the usual.

More than anything else, it’s the kind of accommodation you choose to stay in that will determine what kinds of travellers you meet and the experiences you have.

Nearly all Southeast Asia trips will start in Bangkok due to the amount of great flight deals available, provided you know where and how to look. It’s a hard city to get to grips with at first; if you don’t want to stay in the backpacker’s ghetto that is Khao San Road then you have to explore the city to find the nicer areas. Renting an apartment in Bangkok, even for a short time, will give you a real taste for life in the capital away from the overpriced pad thais and neon sunglasses of the backpacker area. A popular area for rentals is the pleasant yet affordable Th. Sukhumvit, a long road that runs through heart of the city.

Moving on from Bangkok, Hong Kong is an essential pit stop if you’re lucky to have more than a bare-bones budget. Unlike Bangkok, there’s a feeling that Hong Kong just gets on and does its own thing; if you like it, you like it, if not then… so what. It’s huge, unapologetic and stunning. If you’ve got the urge to splurge, then here’s the place to do it, as you can actually get a lot of bang for your buck. In example, accommodation in Hong Kong includes hundreds of excellent mid-range options. At the top end is The Mira, the city’s most impressive contemporary design hotel in the urban district of Tsim Sha Tsui.

If Hong Kong’s the place to live the high life, then Singapore is the opposite. Notoriously deadly to the traveller’s budget, this city is like quicksand, sucking cash from your pockets quicker than you can put it in. Luckily, there’s been a move in recent years towards building a handful of low-budget options. Today, there are some really interesting hostels in Singapore that are clean and cheerful yet only cost around the $15-20 mark. As an expensive destination, the hostels here attract a good mix of travellers of all ages.

If you simply like your own space, then it’s easy to find holiday apartments across the continent. A lot of people would agree that it’s only when you stay in one place for a long time that you really begin to understand that country’s culture. Long walks, getting to know the local street sellers and learning a bit of the lingo will make your time in Southeast Asia incredibly special.

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Photo from Flickr by jerseygal2009

We last explored Highway 1 South, stopping off at Monterey Bay. Now, as we head north, we’ll discover the culinary wonders of San Francisco, the award winning vintages of California’s Wine Country, and the amazing wilds of Coastal Northern California. And as you will be in the wild for several stretches and facing the possibility of car break down cover your rental with insurance that includes a free tow or two, as it may cost a few nights worth of accommodation to get towed back to civilization. Bringing emergency flares and road cones won’t hurt either as the Highway can grow quite twisty in places and giving on-coming drivers as much warning as possible will benefit both parties.

Now that I’ve frightened you a bit and enhanced the sense of adventure, let’s stop off at the city by the bay, America’s only “European city”, for a whirlwind tour of the offerings to be had. Fresh seafood, world renown chocolate, micro-brewed ale, the curviest stretch of city street in the world, Golden Gate park, the Exploratorium and Aquarium (great for the kids), every kind of cuisine imaginable, from Ethiopian flat bread to Cambodian curry, Alcatraz, Civil War-era forts at either end of the bay’s mouth, directly under the Golden Gate Bridge, and of course, as you’re heading out of town, that world famous landmark itself.

North of the bridge, Highway 1 will run concurrently with the 101 as a busy freeway, so look for the road signs in Marin County and branch off back for the coast as soon as possible. Not long after you will enter Sonoma County and meet up with the coastline once again. From here you can stop at any number of Sonoma Coast State Beaches for a picnic. The favourite of many locals, Stump Beach, can be found about one hour north of the crossing of the Russian River and the idyllic seaside hamlet of Jenner. The beach itself is situated in a lovely cove that serves as a bit of a heat trap, keeping the cool north coast temperatures a little warmer. The real treat, however, is to be found hiking up the trail on the south side of the beach, where the rock formations carved out by ages of tidal activity will make the visitor feel like they’ve been transported to Mars. Don’t stand too close to the edge though, as this part of the coast is known for its surging “sleeper” waves, which can really put a damper on the unwary traveller’s trip.

North from here and on into Mendocino County can be found a multitude of seaside campgrounds. The road continues to wind its way along the coastline until just south of the area known as the Lost Coast. It was here that road engineers finally gave up following the coast as they were persistently defeated by the forces of Nature and decided to head inland. Highway one departs from the coast and takes its travelers through the towering Redwoods until it meets, once again, with its more efficient cousin, the 101, just outside of the small town of Legget.

At this point, the traveller may elect to continue north towards Oregon, south and east across the central valley of California and eventually into the Sierra Nevada mountains, Tahoe and Reno, and perhaps onwards to Las Vegas, or back due south on the 101 and once more into picturesque Wine Country, just for one more sip of that Cabernet Sauvignon.

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