       | Stunning beaches, hippy yet trendy cafes, talented buskers and an all round vibe of relaxation. Byron Bay you are simply brilliant! I returned yesterday from a 3 day stay here and if weather had of been a little more accommodating I can’t have imagined leaving! Everywhere you look you will spot wetsuits, surfboards and kombi vans. I often asked myself if anyone actually works here or if it is all just play! PLAY Byron is a backpacker’s paradise. This town is where vacations never end, wearing thongs is a must and make-up will make you look oddly out of place. Not by any means cheap compared to other parts of Australia, Byron Bay will however give you a true feel of Australia. We love our beaches, we love our surfing, we love our music and we love our relaxed lifestyle. Surf boards are available for hire on every street corner so grab yourself a board and hit the beach. If you are extremely untalented like me and can’t surf no matter how many times you’ve tried, grab a sea kayak and head off shore for your chance to paddle alongside dolphins. If you can drag yourself away from the surf, hike up to the iconic bay light house to treat yourself with panoramic views of the coastline. Walk the streets of Byron and watch the sun set over the beach with a coldie at Beach Hotel. If the weather is against you head to Circus Arts to have a go at indoor rock climbing or take a flying trapeze class while the rain dies off. EAT Love coffee? Who doesn’t! Check out Twisted Sista Cafe. They make a mean mocha and have lots of home made goodies to snack on. For a great quality pub meal at affordable prices I couldn’t recommend more highly the Byron Bay Brewery. Lunch and Dinner specials are available during the week for $9.50. The 200g rump steak, chips and salad I was severed up on Monday night was worth writing home about! While at Byron Bay Brewery be sure to sample good old Aussie beer! $18 will score you a taste of all 6 beers brewed here daily. STAY When visiting Byron Bay you have 3 main options for accommodation; Camping, Hostels and Hotels. CAMPING Prices start from $40 per night I would recommend a stay at the First Sun Holiday Park. Situated on the Belongil Beach front you can forgive the humble site sizes when you can fall asleep to the sound of the ocean. On a side note I found most people seemed to have decked out vans which might explain why I was the only one actually camping here! Clarkes Beach is a little more secluded and would be a great spot for families with kids. Prices here start at around $65 per night during school holidays. HOSTEL Prices start from $30 per night For a central location you can’t go past Nomad’s Byron Bay. Modern and clean facilities all within the heart of Byron. They even have Jacuzzis! I opted to stay at the Arts Factory Lodge due to their special on private rooms. A large, buzzing hostel with a tour desk, smoothie booth and entertainment galore. This property has the typical hippy Byron feel. The camping section looks worse then I’d imagine an African refugee camp to look like. However, if you’re all for the vibe and don’t mind slumming it the camp ground section could be for you. The best news? Free shuttle buses run into town until 4am so whether you are hitting the surf or hitting the town you don’t have to worry about finding your own way home. HOTEL Prices start from $99 per night When you go to Byron the last thing you’ll be doing is hauling up in your hotel room. This is what made camping and hostels an ideal choice for me. However, if you have a bit of extra cash up your sleeve there are several hotels available to suit your needs. Simply drive down the main strip into Byron and you’ll be spoilt for choice! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW COST - For a 3 day, 2 night stay I spent around $300 AUD including fuel, accommodation, meals and activities RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES - Just remember no matter how hippy the vibe in Byron may be, marijuana is still illegal throughout all of Australia |
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