Destination Byron Bay

Ever imagined a holiday in a town that lives by the unspoken laws of pure freedom and beauty? Destination - Byron Bay. This town is situated in NSW, Australia, and is in fact the most eastern tip of Australia. This is the sort of place you want to go to if you want a holiday with your girlfriends, or just you and your man. Almost anything you want to do, you can do in Byron, basically anything goes and everything happens. If you are an Australian, it's almost like going overseas without leaving the country.

This town certainly has heaps of culture. The town is situated right on the beach, and it seems to have its own life no matter what time of the day or night. It accommodates the rich, but is also a hippy haven, and for some reason the two seem to harmoniously complement each other. It offers five star accommodation, to backpackers hostels. The town is surrounded by National Parks, and some of the most beautiful coastal areas that Australia has to offer.

The weather is temperate, and nights are beautiful. At dusk you only need to wander down the main street, where you are offered a choice of cuisine of every kind, from Thai, Indian, Italian as well as an endless supply of vegetarian restaurants and cafes. You name it; they've got it. The atmosphere at night has a calm buzz that is difficult to describe. If you've been looking for a place to wind down, this is the place. There's a feeling of excitement, but here there is no pressure, or stress. It seems time has stopped, so that everyone can take their time and find themselves.


After dinner you have a choice of going to one of two athenaeums / cinemas where alternative movies are showing. Or there is free entertainment as you wander down the street. Locals sit and busk, only it's unlike any busking I've ever seen anywhere. Sometimes you can find yourself being caught up in this incredible sound and dancing in the street with people you don't know, having the most magical time you ever had. In this atmosphere everyone's friendly and everyone's out to let their inhibitions go.

And this doesn't stop at night. During the day the street is filled with people of all types, the buskers appear to be permanent residents in the street, so even throughout the day the town is filled with a wonderful musical rhythm. Tarot readers are on the street, and shops are full of beautiful artwork, much of which has been done by the locals. There's an endless supply of alternative healings such as massage and yoga. If you get to stay on a Sunday, the local market is a must. With art, music, clothes, delicious fruit and vegies - this is a real market.

All this and I haven't even mentioned the beaches! You can lie back with or without your bathers on, and no one will take any notice here. In Byron nudity is not frowned upon, but is seen as being beautiful, so if you have any inhibitions, rest assured you can leave them behind at home. The water offers not only swimming, but also surfing, along with scuba driving at the famous marine park 'Julian Rocks'. Other sports offered are indoor rock climbing, to hang gliding at Cape Byron. Make sure you visit the lighthouse at Cape Byron, which offers the most magnificent views and where you get to stand on the most Eastern tip of Australia. Or if you want to go inland you can go bushwalking in the lush National Park.

Byron Bay is a holiday destination with a huge variety of things to offer the traveller. You can kick back with the girls and sun bake or you can be a bit more adventurous. What ever it may be, your almost guaranteed to feel relaxed, restored and very content.

Louise Ganey