Byron Bay, Australia
Byron Bay is described in many guidebooks as a booming town, desperately trying to hold onto it’s small town feel. Sadly, I think it’s days as a small town are numbered, and the march of fast food chains will soon be surrounding the town in all directions.
So why’s it so popular? Well, there’s a very large beach right at the front of town, although a better one is Watego Beach round by the lighthouse. Best mention the amazing view afforded from the climb up to the lighthouse, itself a thing of beauty - and the light shines 27miles in all directions, which looks rather cool wandering through town as it sweeps over your head.
Then there’s the small town, bohemian feel to the place. There’s a lot of people wandering around looking like they may have forgotten to leave the 60’s and 70’s behind. A rash of tattoo parlors, bars and surf shops line the streets, seperated by some great cafes, restaurants and juice bars - not entirely convinced by beetroot in a drink, but they say it’s good for you.
I really do like Byron. It’s one of the places where you can do nothing, and feel like you haven’t wasted the day. Naturally, I did something all the time, but I can’t sit still for very long, except for one time. I headed down to the beach and sat on the rocks watching the sun set, and the evening surfers, all desperate for the last few waves before the light faded. Whilst sitting there, 2 guys turned up with their bongos and started playing a tune. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable moment, staring out to sea at nothing in particular, and absolutely loving it!
One of the highlights for me this time, and something I dearly wished I’d done the last time we were there, is to visit the lighthouse and see dolphins from the Cape - which, incidently is Australia’s most Eastern point. The lighthouse is reached from Watego Beach, a small, slightly less busy beach, surrounded on both sides by rocky outcrops. Wandering upto the lighthouse, you really feel the sense of purpose as to why it was built there.
Looking around from the top is breathtaking. Out to sea, you can watch the dolphins playing in the surf and posing for any people in the water nearby. Looking back inland, we were greeted by the rolling green forests and grassland found in this lush area. Oh, and a hanglider. Look North and South, you see the beaches rolling on for miles in each direction, broken by the occasional rocky outcrop. It’s another place you could just stay and soak up the view, and never get bored of it.
Nightlife in the town is also, excuse this comment, but rather rocking. The Beach Hotel usually has live music on, and serves a good range of drinks and food. Generally the people are friendly in there, except for some little oiks (does that make me sound old?) who started fighting each other for no reason other than ‘He looked at me’. And then there’s the infamous Cheeky Monkey’s, a hangout and party venue for backpackers. One word of caution though, avoid the cheap meals as you eat off the tables that everyone dances on later that night!
One thing I haven’t mentioned up until this point, is meeting our good friend, Steve. A former traveller who made it to Australia, and then decided to stay there. It’s been more than 3 years since he settled in Sydney.
Byron Bay is a must visit place. You can easily spend a week here, and not get bored. We only scratched the surface as there’s so much to do here. One thing on my list for a future time is kayaking out to the cape to meet the dolphins. I can’t wait!
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1 comment
come on then, where’s the updates then? getting lazy there now you’re all comfortable and settled in sydney! (ie: come on, put some more galleries up, we all like the opera house at night!)
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