Currently viewing the tag: "Weekend Away"
Perfect spot to get sand between your toes
I was chatting to a good friend about what makes Byron such a special place.
Is it the beach?
The gorgeous places to eat and drink?
Is it the super-friendly and relaxed people you meet and who run the amazing businesses there?
For me, it’s a combination of all of the above and why I always have a fab time in Byron whether I visit for a few hours or stay for a week.
Breakfast or Brunch? No matter what time you finally wake up, head to The Farm
The Farm – perfect for breakfast or brunch
If you are an early riser like me, Byron is a fab spot to get up early and head out for a walk along the beach. Love a sleep in? No worries, breakfast at most places seems to stretch out to become brunch. The Farm is a perfect spot to enjoy both. The Farm is a firm fave of mine.
Go for a wander…
You can choose to takeaway delicious hot coffee and buttery pastries and head off for a stroll (let the kids run wild!) or dine in and enjoy the view. If you choose to dine in, super friendly staff are always buzzing around, which means you can relax while you order from the locavore menu.
Pick up provisions for a picnic
A lot of the fresh produce comes directly from the small lot farmers who share the space and I think you can taste the difference!
Brunch at The Farm at its finest
Time for a Sunday stroll – Bangalow & Newrybar
Gorgeous Newrybar
After enjoying a sleep in, big breakfast and a strong coffee, if you feel the need to walk it off or just go for a wander – take the short drive to beautiful Bangalow and Newrybar. Nestled in the hinterland behind Byron, these two tiny villages are home to gorgeous homewares, more great cafes and some fab fashion.
Some of my fave spots to visit/ eat in and around Bangalow and Newrybar are:
Henrix & Harlow
Newrybar Merchants
More of the gorgeous Newrybar Merchants
Shop
For a beautiful collective of retailers head to Newrybar Merchants, home to Art Park, Shannon Fricke, The Book Room, Minimosh, Tigmi Trading, Beautiflora, Nikau, Fate & Fortune and firm fave The Society Inc.
Stop for a break at Harvest…
Eat
The Rails
Time for a drink – fab spots for a drink or two, maybe just settle in for the afternoon
After all of that eating, shopping and walking if you are feeling a little parched head back to Byron for a cold drink or two. For a laid-back afternoon under the trees, try starting with a Bloody Mary at The Treehouse. My friend and I both settled in for some quality people-watching, savouring ours. Order extra-hot if you’re feeling game! Nestled next to the beach, and serving wood-fired pizzas, Treehouse is a perfect spot to relax for a couple of hours with a drink or two.
If a pub and a cold brew are more your scene, wander in to the Beach Hotel (fab views, live music, did I mention the view?), The Rails (The Railway Friendly Barl) or The Great Northern (for an old school pub, keep an eye out for the great bands playing here).
The Rails (The Railway Friendly Bar)
If you’re not a fan of pubs, Miss Margarita is a fab little spot near the beach serving a range of delicious drinks and Mexican food.
The name says it all…
Whew! That is one hefty list, but there are just so many great places to eat/drink/shop and relax!
Have you got any firm faves in Byron?
Enjoy xx
My mornings in Byron always start with a wander along the beach, taking in the headland, laughing at dogs frolicking in the waves and saying hello to other blissed out folk wandering along the sand. Doesn’t matter whether it’s wintery weather or mid-summer. Getting sand between my toes is a must, and as soon as possible.
Here are the finer details of Part 1 of the highlights from my recent mid-winter weekend:
Breakfast – Top Shop
If you are keen to see more of the town than just the main strip, take a walk to the super cool Top Shop, perched on a hill, nestled alongside the ocean. Filled with local folk fresh from the surf, families and couples, you can follow my lead and settle in with a hot coffee and a delicious serve of avocado toast on the verandah or join the crowd sprawled out on blankets on the grass. The vibe is relaxed and friendly complimented by quick service from the friendly crew. My friend and I found our two sunny spots on the deck were also perfect for people watching (an absolute treat in Byron!)
https://www.facebook.com/TopShopByronBay/
Stone & Wood Brewery Tour
Keen to do something a little different for the day and support a local business, next stop was a tour of local brewery Stone & Wood. Started by three clever blokes (Jamie, Ross and Brad) Stone & Wood is nestled in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Byron. My friend and I chose to walk to the Brewery – a comfortable 20 minute stroll from town along sunny walking track runs alongside a Teatree forest.
Our tour started with a ‘welcome beer’ of our choice – on the advice of the super friendly staff we settled on a lighter style brew, ‘Garden Ale’. The tour kicked off with a history of the business, the brewing process, and then a tour of where the magic happens. I learnt that it’s all about the hops, and that ‘Galaxy Hops’ are the bomb (well at least that’s the case for Stone & Wood). After our brewery tour, our little group settled in to the beer garden for a ‘tasting paddle’. Turns out a tasting paddle is a platter of beer, starting with lighter styles and moving through to heavier brews. Absolutely delicious and a brilliant way to spend a sunny afternoon with a beer-loving mate (or two!).
Dinner & drinks with a view – Balcony Bar
After enjoying the laidback atmosphere of Stone & Wood, it was time to frock up and head out to dinner. Byron has some many amazing places to chose from, it may seem a little overwhelming at first. High on my list were great atmosphere and seafood so Balcony Bar & Oyster Co was perfect. Dinner kicked off with oysters (of course), followed by ceviche of Kingfish, steak tartare and finally free range lamb shoulder. Drinks were just as good, kicking off with cocktails and moving through the beer and wine list which made for a long and fantastic night. Our ever friendly waiter Adam made sure our glasses were never empty for long and helped us navigate the delicious menu. My only tip would be to make sure you book a table (go for the balcony).
Link to Balcony Bar & Oyster Co
Well, that’s a wrap on Part 1, I’ll post Part 2 next week.
Have you got a fave spot in Byron? Share in the comments below if you do.
Enjoy xx
