The first part of the Australian continent to be touched by the morning sun is the sentinel peak of Mt. Warning, the core of an ancient volcano. In the rugged mountain ranges and eroded valleys that surround the peak of Mt. Warning are some of the world’s most beautiful rainforests, just a short journey from Surfers Paradise, Australia’s tourist playground. Sandwiched between the ocean and the outer rim of the volcano there exists an incredible potpourri of people and lifestyles. On Ted Egan’s journey from the mountain to the sea he meets up with people whose passion is to live a lifestyle far removed from what is offered in the great cities. He visits O’Reilley’s Guest House on the Lamington Plateau, coffee, tea and macadamia nut plantations near the coast and looks at the wonderful birdlife that the rainforest protects.