While it’s the surfing and alternate lifestyle that attract most visitors, food has always been important for many visitors to Byron Bay in the far north of New South Wales, Australia. These days, Byron Bay offers a sophisticated and endless summer beachside lifestyle while still extending a friendly small town welcome.
The relaxed beachside town not only appeals to young global travellers, A-list movie stars, and celebrities have also invested in secluded properties near the beaches and in the rolling hills of the hinterland.
Alternate lifestylers, attracted to the weather, the beaches, and the rainforests, moved here decades ago, pioneering the tourist boom that the town has experienced in recent years. While basking in the sun is still important, adventure and wellness activities are now high on the agenda of most visitors.
Local markets
My timing was perfect, having arrived in the morning into Brisbane. Smaller airports are most appealing as customs and immigration procedures are a breeze, and I was soon heading to Byron Bay, less than a 90-minute drive south from the Queensland capital.
Thursday morning is an important social event in the town as the Byron Farmers Market is staged in Butler Street Reserve. Arriving mid-morning, I quickly took in the market’s vibrancy, colour, and energy.
Terase Davidson, founder of Taste Byron Bay, was my guide at the expansive and lively market. I was told that the long-running market is a venue for authentic local producers and not traders, as the produce offered is distinctly local, healthy, organic, and fresh. Terase added that Byron Bay has always been a destination that not only attracts surfers but also alternative life-stylers and those who respect the environment.
The market set the scene for an inspirational few days in what is the easternmost part of the Australian continent. It’s a destination with world-class beaches, spectacular scenery, a forested and mountainous hinterland, and a vibrant cafe, bar, and restaurant scene that especially appeals to young global travellers.
Byron Bay champions fresh and organic produce, hand-cultivated harvesters, and a vibrant community food culture. Sustainable, eco-consciousness, green technology, macrobiotics, organics, and biodynamics are words that flow freely from the lips of market traders.
Byron Farmers Market is staged every Thursday from 7am to 11am and there are regular markets at Bangalow in Byron Bay’s hinterland on Saturday mornings.
Locavores and herbivores
Byron Bay is a destination where visitors can expect the unexpected on menus with items such as vegan ice cream, ingredients foraged from rainforests and along beaches, ethically raised animal products, and biodynamic crops.
The Farm is a 32-hectare property on the outskirts of Byron Bay where the vegetables are harvested daily. Nourish, stay, and learn are central to everything on the property that operates sustainably, with the farm, restaurant, and produce shop having been established to grow, feed, and educate all visitors. Plants grow in rich clay-based soils, and those who farm the land abide by strict organic standards.
The famous onsite Three Blue Ducks Restaurant adopts a ‘real food’ philosophy, with food sourced from The Farm and the Northern Rivers food bowl. Seasonal produce is sold in the Produce Store and Flowers at The Farm, while The Bread Social produces artisan-baked breads, and Baylato serves the best gelato with flavours like salted caramel and fig, sticky date pudding, panna cotta, and macadamia.
I also headed into the Byron Bay hinterland for another tantalising meal. Harvest Newrybar village sprawls over several lots along the compact main street of the rural village. Wooden homes with expansive verandahs typify the architecture of the 1900s, but these days, diners can enjoy a meal here in front of the indoor fireplace in winter, or along the semi-open verandah that morphs into the surrounding tropical vegetation.
An open-plan kitchen buzzes with activity, and bar staff busy themselves preparing finger lime mocktails and other beverages, many made using local ingredients. The adjoining delicatessen includes items prepared in an ancient wood-fired bread oven.
Dolphins, rays, turtles, and whales
After all this delicious food, it was time to burn off some calories by choosing from the multitude of sports and eco-friendly activities offered in and around Byron Bay. Main Beach is the most popular while Wategos Beach is quieter but a popular recreational and surfing beach.
Offshore encounters with marine wildlife are also possible with operators like Cape Byron Kayaks, where dolphin-sighting tours of 2.5-hour duration have a 90% guarantee (no dolphins, and holidaymakers can return again for free).
Since 1995, the company has been successfully conducting kayak tours that appeal to a cross-section of travellers, as kayaking skills can be easily acquired on the water. Wetsuits are provided if required, and there is one guide for every eight kayakers.
Our mission was to sight Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins, and it wasn’t long before we were amongst a pod of playful dolphins. Our guide skillfully manoeuvred our kayak and later told us that Green, Loggerhead, and Hawksbill Turtles, rays, and whales are also common in the bay. Sightings of Humpback, Southern Right, and the occasional Killer Whale, are possible, but only from May to August.
City attractions, rural setting
As a destination recognised for alternate lifestyles it’s not surprising that Byron Bay hosts festivals for writers, yoga, kite-flying, music, film, and dance. The highly respected Bluesfest Byron Bay, normally staged in late March or early April, is a major global music festival. Byron Bay also has a solar-powered train for rail enthusiasts to enjoy.
I recently discovered that Byron Bay is like a city in that it offers much of what large destinations have to offer, yet it has many qualities that make it a big country town, but with a long, near-deserted beach right at its doorstep.
Byron Bay travel tips: Getting there and about
Getting there: Byron Bay is just 90 minutes south of Brisbane International Airport. The best way to explore Byron Bay and its hinterland is in a rental car.
Where to stay: Elements of Byron is a beachside property of 193 private villas scattered over rolling dunes and rainforest. It combines elements of design, sustainable practices, luxury, and natural elements to reflect the beachside setting. The lagoon pool is a feature with shaded pavilions and lounges. Dine in Graze and reconnect with Mother Earth at Osprey Spa, where heartfelt therapies use pure natural ingredients. At the other end of the accommodation spectrum, stay at YHA and enjoy its central downtown location.
For more information on New South Wales and Byron Bay, visit: Destination NSW.
*All images courtesy of author unless stated otherwise.
