Byron Bay
On 23rd November 2016 by HelenI could not wait to write this post this week as I travelled to Byron Bay and it has to be one of the most stunning places I have ever seen.
After a very uncomfortable 12 hour bus journey from Sydney overnight, my friend Holly and I arrived 7:30am Saturday morning. We went straight for breakfast in a cafe recommended by the hostel called Bayleaf. The food was so amazing I had a coconut quinoa porridge with a raspberry pool and cashew cream, a beetroot juice and a laté. I can honestly say it was delicious. The staff were super friendly and although the restaurant was in high demand with a queue in the street once we got the table it was ours and we weren’t rushed out!
We spent the afternoon at the main beach which was beautiful and reminds me of Fistral beach in Cornwall just with much better weather. On the way home to the hostel we found a juice bar and we had another fresh juice and I found quite possibly the best gluten free chocolate brownies I have ever tasted. This town is the place if you are gluten intolerant/coeliac as everywhere is gluten free. I feel it’s more of a fashion here rather than on medical grounds but I am not complaining in the slightest as it makes my life so much easier.
In the evening we went to a burger bar called Main Street burgers and again they were able to cater for all my gluten free needs!
Sunday was quite possibly one of the most beautiful days ever. We started off with breakfast at Combi and had Peanut butter Acai bowls, juice and coffee. We then explored Byron going shopping in the morning – fabulous shops here and pretty reasonably priced. We then went on a walk to the Lighthouse through the forest which was steep and hilly. Definitely a good work out. The lighthouse is so pretty and is at the most easterly point in Australia. After that we walked back on the road and found a lovely beach called Captain Cooks Lookout where we sat all afternoon reading our books and paddling in the sea. In the evening we went for sushi and I have to say it was the only downer of the day. It was pretty dry and bland in flavour and I couldn’t finish it due to this. Holly’s was amazing though, she had soft shell crab rolls and they looked unreal! We fished the night with drinks at the Beach House Hotel.
Monday I woke with the worst heat stroke symptoms. I felt dehydrated and sick I hadn’t slept well in the night. Best piece of advice for anyone here is when you think you’ve had enough water double your quantity and that’s what your body needs. We went again back to Combi where I had another Acai bowl and Holly had peanut butter, banana and honey on toast. We then went for a walk around the town. Holly went off on a surf lesson in the afternoon and I spent most of the day in the shade and relaxing and drinking plenty of water. In the evening we went back for burgers and then went out to a Reggae evening at the Beach House Hotel. It was a brilliant night. Loving the hippy vibes this place has to offer.
Tuesday I spent with my friend from work Louisa and we went back to the lighthouse, it was so good catching up. We went to Combi again – can you tell it was my favourite restaurant?
I stayed in Aquarius hostel which was pretty good to be honest. I was definitely spoilt with the hostel I stayed at in Sydney, Wake Up, but here was clean and comfortable. It was very very relaxed and people tended to leave the room doors open all day so my top tip for staying here is 100% bring a padlock for your locker. It’s a 2 minute walk for to the beach and local high street so location is perfect.
I would also budget for a about $300 for a 4 day stay here to cater for food. You can obviously do things much cheaper with buying food and cooking yourself but with the choice of restaurants I feel you should make this place a total luxury trip and eat out to try everywhere as there is such a good mix.
I can’t wait to come back!
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