The romance of Byron Bay …
“She looked out onto Tallow Beach, where sugary sands provided the perfect blank canvas for viewing sensational sunsets and, from what she’d read, occasional whale sightings that broke along the horizon.
Pulling her knees up to her chest, she cradled her wine glass, staring at the stunning scenery and listening to the distinct ‘oo-wip’ calls of whip birds and squawking of black cockatoos. “
* ‘Love To Wreck You’ excerpt.
A few Bookgrammers have mentioned how much they’ve fallen in love with Byron Bay in my book ‘Love To Wreck You’ … so I thought it best to share why this place is so enchanting.
I’ve had the best holidays in Byron, including one where I slept all night on the beach with friends … and memories of sunbathing on the sand, eating mangoes and listening to the waves crash in …
The place is magical … you’re immersed in nature 24-7, from spotting dolphins or whales at dawn to being surrounded by stunning bird calls and a lush tropical rainforest bursting with life.
What are Byron’s other drawcards?
In ‘Love To Wreck You’ I outline Byron’s beautiful energy and vibe:
“The town’s commitment to supporting local artists was evident at every turn, creating an atmosphere of appreciation for the arts.
Cafes spilled onto the sidewalks alongside local artisans showcasing their masterpieces, handcrafted jewellery, intricate ceramics, and vibrant paintings.
Cece couldn’t wait to indulge in the diverse culinary scene that Byron Bay boasted. From quaint mom-and-pop kitchens serving fresh-roasted coffee and delicious pastries to beachfront restaurants offering exquisite seafood dishes.
They walked towards a bar that Rich had recommended. It was a small, dimly lit space with vintage posters and flickering candles on the tables. A live band played in the corner, and the air was thick with the warm, heady scent of cocktails and beer.”
Byron Essentials (according to local resident, influencer and content creator @SaltyLuxe)
Coffee:
Barefoot (hidden gem down a laneway), Sparrow (hole in the wall local haunt), Roadhouse, Harvest, Bayleaf, Folk and Sunday Sustainable Bakery.
Brunch:
Bayleaf – their brekkie greens are LIFE! Or Woods in Bangalow, it’s so cute and worth the trip.
A quick bite:
An acai bowl at Topshop!
Dinner with friends:
@ Il Buco, they don’t take reservations because it’s tiny but it’s the best pizza you’ll eat outside of Italy. No joke! It’s BYO too!
Sundowners:
Grab a bottle and head to the beach for sunset!
Live music:
Absolute fave: Treehouse.
Hotels and AirBnbs:
You just can’t beat The Atlantic. A boho coastal vibe with elevated communal living so you can meet lots of other amazing people.
Best place to sweat:
Do the lighthouse walk and don’t forget to look out for whales and dolphins.
Favourite shops—what should we take home with us?
You have to visit my favourites SPELL (their boutique is beautiful), Rowie, Kivari, Arnhem and definitely Nikau and Hope & May if you love homewares. Make sure you also head out to the arts and industrial estate where you can visit Zulu & Zephyr, We are Pampa, Mctavish and lots of vintage stores. Lots of people miss this—it’s definitely a local secret.
Favourite place to take in the local scenery:
You really can’t beat sunset at Wategos Beach or The Pass. Because Byron is the most easterly point in Australia and the bay wraps around so widely, you actually get to see the sunset over the ocean from here, which is totally unheard of for us east siders! Also, you can almost always get out of the wind here.
Best surf:
The Pass for a chill longboard wave.
Best place to shoot:
Killen Falls—a beautiful waterfall up in the hills. I also really love golden hour in the hinterland, something about all the colours just brings everything to life. And of course anything on the ocean!
Byron Bay’s best kept secret(s):
The beaches of Broken Head are less adventured than most. They are a little more remote, but they are absolutely stunning. There are lots of waterfalls around the hinterland too, you can couple this in with visiting the beautiful hillside towns of Bangalow, Newrybar and Federal.
“Byron has such an epic energy and you get the best of living in a big city rich with diverse culture, plus the magic of rural Australian living.”
Playlist or album that captures the Byron Bay vibe.
My personal fav is local artist Ziggy Alberts. We used to watch him as a young kid busking on the street with hundreds of people cheering him on. He captures the soul of the place perfectly and is a great storyteller. You can also follow us on spotify: SALTY LUXE
Favourite Byron humans and brands to follow on Instagram:
@spell, @saxonkent, @lisadanielle__, @coconutbowls, @_lucyinthesky, @wanderingfolk, @aleiyablake_, @melcarrero_, @adriana_maria_, @jaiasicek, @rovebyronbay, @jamie-.green, @christinamacpherson, @wearepampa, @zulu&zephyr.
Why should Byron Bay be on our travel wish list?
No matter who you are, there is something here for you. It’ll seep into your bones and you’ll never want to leave, trust me!
(Via The Drift Online - https://www.thedriftonline.com)
