Leaving our Penrith bnb at 9.30 we drove to have coffee in Parramatta. See blog for details, but it wasn't worth it. Especially so as due to heavy traffic, we suddenly didn't have much time to return the car to Europcar. With Alice leading the navigation like an absolute hero, we drove to Bondi Junction in order to drop off our bags at the second last bnb of the trip. Sans bags, we made it to Europcar through heavy traffic. Making it with 2 minutes to spa...

This morning we drive in from Penrith in order to search out the best coffee in Parramatta. Perhaps unsurprisingly given such a build up, we were disappointed here. It's a little too foamy for me, and not as strong as I'd like. A pleasant enough taste but no aftertaste other than a cloying mouthfeel. Lots of women around us are having smashed avo and quinoa salad on a slice of dry sourdough. It couldn't get more Australian.Bonus point for humour from ...

Having handed back Lucy (our sixth and final car) safe and sound, we pop around the corner for coffee. A subtle but dark roast, well made. It puts this morning's coffee to shame, and we stumbled upon this one rather than seeking it out. Great service, bottle of water on the table. The cakes looked absolutely incredible. AB

We leave our authentic Aussie hotel for coffee and breakfast in Goulburn, and fill up on petrol (cheapest yet at just over a dollar!). An hour up the Hume Highway, our first stop is Berrima. Est 1831, elevation 600m, and population 400 (according to their welcome sign). It's a lovely little town of sandstone buildings, including the beautiful looking jail, which is still operational! We pick up a pastel de nata at Two Skinny Cooks, with a cold drink from the ...

Grumpy service, was compounded by slow service and poor food (but cheap)...and to the coffee. Decidedly average. Not dark however, which is good when it's average. A little too hot, but otherwise technically fine. Alice drank slowly which isn't usually a good sign. A faceless effort really. We miss Melbourne. AF