To those in the know, Byron Bay is quite literally heaven on Earth. From sandy white beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, crystal clear waters, a gamut of fabulous restaurants and bars showcasing the organic produce of the region, reliable surf breaks and superb natural parks ideal for hiking or bush walking. Let’s face it, what’s not to love about a perfect beach destination with consistently sunny weather, a plethora of bronzed Aussies clutching surfboards, and the odd chance you might bump into Chris Hemsworth while he’s slipping into his wet suit!! Heaven indeed!!
For the uninitiated, Byron Bay is a small coastal town on the Eastern most point of Australia. It is surrounded by some of the worlds most beautiful beaches, as well as rolling green hills dotted with charming farms and delightful towns such as Bangalow and Newrybar.
Historically the region attracted the surfing community and those keen to step out of mainstream society into an area of like minded, pot smoking, hemp wearing hippies. From retired bankers farming avocados to artists and the likes, The Byron region has a chilled vibe and a charged energy not easily found . Even though the volume of Bentley’s and Benzes has escalated over the years, as Australia’s rich and famous have launched on the area in the desire to escape their frantic corporate existence and the hope that a little of the vibe will stick to their vilebrequins as they make their way back to the big cities after some R & R.
The hippie past has pivoted slightly of late , with Byron now arguably recognised as Australia’s hipster HQ. It has morphed into a town brimming with trainee organic butchers and bearded Baristas, backpackers and budding brewers of craft beer. All intermingling to create a warm and inviting community with a growing international reputation. In my opinion, Byron Bay should almost be top of your travel bucket list.
Where To Stay Around Byron
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Byron has a huge variety of accommodation options from backpacking hostels to swanky houses nestled high on Wategos hill. A few of my favorites are listed below;
Rae’s
Raes at Watego’s beach is a little slice of heaven on earth. This luxury 7 room boutique hotel was owned and operated for 21 years by entrepreneur Vinnie Rae. A holiday haven for Hollywood heavyweights, rockstars and billionaire businessmen, Raes has played host to a plethora of the worlds rich and famous. Tom Cruise, Keith Richards, Elle Macpherson and Richard Branson amongst many others have all dropped their duffles and donned their bathers at this fabulous hotel.
Now owned by Antony Catalano, and having had a recent face lift by renowned interior designer Tamsin Johnson, Raes remains one of the regions most desirable spots to pull up stumps for the night.
We have been coming to stay at Rae’s for 15 years or more, and I honestly think I fall more in love with this hotel every time. The rooms are large and brimming with personality, including massive daybeds laden with feather pillows, stone fireplaces, marble baths and unique and interesting art works. Raes has a divine spa, swimming pool, renowned restaurant and champagne bar, all within a small boutique entity. The result is a luxurious character filled ‘home away from home’ experience. The staff are warm and engaging and the beach is literally on your doorstep.
This is easily one of my favourite hotels in the world, and I hope to return here for many more years to come.
Halcyon House
The Halcyon story began in 2011 when entrepreneur Adam Flaskas and sisters Siobhan and Elisha Bickle purchased a former surfing motel called ‘The Hideaway’ in the sleepy seaside town of Cabarita in Northern New South Wales. The hotel was completely gutted and Halcyon House was created and opened in 2015, and the rest, as they say, is history.
This 5-star luxury, boutique hotel offers 21 divine rooms expertly and uniquely created by Interior Designer Anna Spiro. Picture exquisite fabric wallpapers in harmonious hues of blue, with collected artworks and antiques. And let’s not forget to mention the beds – these may well be the most delicious hotel beds I have ever slept in.
Halcyon house is under the expert guardianship of manager Mauro De Riso who moved from his previous job at the internationally acclaimed J.K. Place in Capri to take up residence and to transform this beautiful hotel into an award winning destination. Halcyon is also home to the hatted restaurant Paper Daisy, serving delicious food showcasing the regions best produce. The green prawns are an absolute must!
The pool is picture perfect with a navy striped banquette running along its entire side and offering an idyllic location for serious sun worshipping or sipping an Aperol spritz under the sensible shade of a huge umbrella. The hotel recently opened a luxury spa which is also managed with an air of Italian style under the expert guidance of Alessandra Viel who also travelled from Italy to the sunny coast of Cabarita.
Halcyon House is approximately 30 minutes by car to the centre of Byron, and in my opinion, one of the most divine spots to base yourself while exploring the northern coastal regions of New South Wales. Recently named in the current Condé Nast Traveller Hot List, this is one of the great beachside hotels in Australia.
Byron Beach Abodes
Byron Beach Abodes is a small family run business specialising in boutique Byron accommodation. Offering a variety of different properties all within walking distance of the centre of Byron bay, including Magnolia House, the Cottage, the Cabin, The Chalet and others. The houses are decorated with stylish interiors and each property is unique and filled with character. Bookings can be made online and their Instagram account is awash with superb images of each of the individual houses. @byron_beach_abodes
The Atlantic
The Atlantic is located ‘smack-bang’ in the centre of Byron, adjacent to the best shopping and cafes in town. This boutique hotel offers rooms for rent with shared communal spaces including lounge rooms, kitchens, and a beautiful garden with chairs on a wide expanse of grass around an open fire pit. Each of the rooms has a private bathroom, air conditioning, and stylish interiors with king sized beds. A perfect option if you are looking for a luxury room and don’t mind sharing other spaces and mingling with some of the other guests. Brilliant location and an easy walk to the beach.
Byron Luxury Homes
If you are planning to stay for a week or two, Byron Luxury Homes is an agency offering rental of high end luxury houses and apartments in and around the Byron Bay region. They specialise in top-tier houses in luxurious locations such as Wategos Beach and Belongil Beach. The staff are helpful and approachable. A great option if you are keen to rent a super glamorous house on the beach, however be prepared for the moment when they email you the price!!!
Where To Eat & Drink
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Paper Daisy – The award winning, hatted restaurant at Halcyon House. Paper Daisy has acquired a string of awards including Best Hotel Breakfast ( Gourmet Traveller 2018), Australia’s Top 100 Restaurants ( Australian Financial Review 2018), and Two Hats Award ( The Good Food Guide, 2019). The head Chef is now Jason Barratt after founding chef Ben Develin has recently struck out on his own to start a new venture in Pottsville. Something to look forward to!! The dining room is lovely, the staff are attentive and delightful and the food is an absolute triumph ! Don’t miss it!!
Rae’s – Sitting on the elevated terrace adjacent to Rae’s hotel sipping on a chilled Rose while looking out over Wategos Beach is one of life’s true pleasures. Rae’s Dining Room is an institution in Byron. Serving contemporary Australian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence and a strong focus on local and sustainable produce delivered with authenticity and style.
Harvest – Located in the historic and quaint town of Newrybar, approximately 15 minutes drive from Byron, Harvest is nestled in an old Queenslander with the cool verandah offering the perfect spot for a delicious lunch. There is also a Harvest deli, bakery and bountiful vegetable garden to explore after lunch. Harvest serves superb fresh produce with a strong focus on paddock to plate.
The Farm – Three Blue Ducks Restaurant at The Farm is located on 80 acres of land and includes playgrounds for children, cows, pigs, chickens, a flower shop, produce store and an abundance of other farming activities and equipment. The food is served outdoors with a lively buzz and offering the perfect opportunity to wander off and visit Hairy Mary and her friends between courses. A great spot to take kids!!
Top Shop – This is arguably Byron’s best burger shop and well worth the short walk from the centre of town. With a laid back hippie vibe, Top Shop serves super yummy organic burgers and sandwiches and delicious juices. You can pull up a stool inside or if you prefer, and something I saw and loved recently, you can settle under one of the trees outside, that is after you have hung your crystals in the tree first to really create the right aura for burger devouring!!!!
Bang Bang – The Chin Chin team from Melbourne have recently opened this fabulous and popular restaurant in the centre of Byron. Serving cuisine with a contemporary South East Asian fusion, Bang Bang is definitely the talk of the town and the ‘it’ place to be eating right now.
Bay Leaf – This buzzing hipster cafe close to the centre of town serves delicious coffee and super yummy organic breakfasts. I literally can’t drive through Byron without getting my ‘Brekkie Greens’ fix. Expect a short wait for a table on week ends as this place is usually humming!!
Roadhouse – The Roadhouse is an elixir based coffee house & restaurant created and run by a small group of friends who believe in thriving through sustainable farming & nourishing whole foods. Located a few minutes from town, Roadhouse has a rustic ‘grungey’ charm and is a perfect spot for a late night Bourbon under the trees. Loaded with character and great music.
Fleet – This 14 seat restaurant is located in Brunswick Heads approximately 20 minutes drive from Byron. This small restaurant has developed a huge following so snatching a table almost requires the stars to align. Beg, borrow or bribe your way into a reservation as Fleet has quietly become one of the best loved restaurants in Australia. Josh Lewis does all the cooking almost single handedly, even making his own Bottarga.
Pipit – Ben Develin , former Halcyon House chef is set to open this new venture in 2019. Promising fresh and innovative produce with a strong focus on local seafood and green things, I would expect this will quickly become a favourite of the area.
La Casita – This casual Mexican off-shoot of the two star ⭐️⭐️ wine bar Fleet is the home of delicious Mexican taste sensations, a hip drinks list, and savy service culture.
Doma – Located in the tiny town of Federal in the Byron hinterland, approximately 30 minutes drive from the town centre. Imagine lunch served on dog friendly park benches in the open air, with locals dressed in the mandatory felt fedoras, blundstones and flannie shirts. This is hipster with a capital ‘H’. Serving modern food with a Japanese and Asian fusion.
Fish house – Roughly 40 minutes drive from Byron Bay towards the famous Gold Coast glitter strip, Fish house is situated on the Southern end of Burleigh Beach. With sweeping views over the ocean and a wine list to match the super seafood on offer, this makes for a perfect long lunch spot.
Rickshores – also located at Burleigh and sitting right on the beach , this restaurant is an equally fabulous spot for a long lunch of people watching and champagne sipping!
What To Do In Byron
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Beaching/surfing
Byron Bay boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Perfect white sand stretching as far as the eye can see, with beautiful crystal clear water in shades of blues and greens. The surfing culture here is huge. If you live in Byron, quite honestly you need to surf. If you can’t surf, consider at least hanging a huge surfboard out the back of your ute if you want any chance of fitting in. My favourite way to spend a day in Byron is to settle on Wategos Beach with a good book and ample sunscreen. After a good roasting and fabulous people watching, you can wander up to Raes for a plate of freshly shucked oysters and a chilled Riesling. It’s perfection beyond!
Hiking – Byron offers a ton of options if you’re keen to stretch your legs. My favourite is to head up the hill to The Cape Byron Lighthouse. This arguably steep but not terribly difficult walk offers some of the most stunning vistas over the region, and is well worth the effort. Definitely take your camera. There are an abundance of walkways along the beaches all around the area. A perfect way to work up an appetite for the plethora of delicious food on offer around Byron.
Shopping – OK, so who doesn’t love shopping??!! The perfect break from sunning and swimming, Byron is the home of fabulous shopping. I love nothing more than wandering around the town visiting the gorgeous boutiques and bookstores with a chilled Kombucha in hand!! Some of my favorites include Island Luxe in Byron, Tribal Luxe in Bangalow, Newrybar Merchants, Mary Ryan’s bookstore, Spell boutique and Hope & May. The shopping is endless so put aside a few hours and prepare your credit card for a smashing!!
Visiting other towns – Byron is a fabulous base, and close to some equally quaint and delightful towns. If you have a car or can hire one, it’s definitely worth putting some time aside to explore Bangalow ( visit the Pharmacy – it’s divine , and Tribal Luxe is essential), Newrybar, and Federal. If you want to go a little further you can drive to the Gold Coast. Pacific Fair offers fabulous high end shopping in air conditioned comfort, or Jupiter’s Casino is just nearby if you’re keen to try your hand at Poker. Ballina is also not far from Byron and worth a visit.
Festivals & markets – Byron has an abundance of markets and festivals, such as the famous annual Blues Festival and Slendour in the Grass. The local markets on Saturdays are also fantastic and a perfect place to pick up some crystals and a dream catcher!!
What To Wear
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Dressing for a visit to Byron should be titled ‘anything goes’. There is an abundance of fedoras, havianas, ripped denim shorts and plaid flannie shirts. With a boho chic vibe, Byron fashion is anything hipster. Picture Coachella meets Baywatch!! Pack and wear whatever you like!! It’s a judgement free zone!!! Anything goes!!
How To Get To Byron
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You can fly into Brisbane ( a 2 hr drive from Byron), Coolangatta ( 1 hr drive) or Ballina ( 35 minutes drive from Byron). Hiring a car is a great idea as there are so many beaches and towns to explore in and around Byron.
If you’re really keen to get amongst it, hire a retro Kombi van and grab yourself a tie dyed beach throw and a vintage Malibu. Oh, and you’ll need to grow a beard to go with that!!
