The
Good Life
Life on the lamb The Northern Rivers may not be traditional sheep country, yet local farmer Warren Wiggins has established a successful stud on his 80 acre farm in Bexhill. His secret? The breed of sheep. ‘Dorpers are suitable for almost any climate and grazing conditions, and I’ve always loved the breed so it was an obvious choice,’ says Warren. ‘They’re fast growing, adaptable, and you don’t have to shear them. And they taste great! ‘Dorpers are also one of the only breeds of sheep that have genetic marbling in the meat. A bit like a sheep version of the Wagyu. The flavour is slightly stronger than average lamb – closer to mutton or hogget.’ This flavour has proven popular, not only with Warren’s regular customers at the local farmers markets, but also with a number of local cafes and restaurants who feature the lamb on their menus. Pretty impressive considering the farm is only 10 years old. Despite not growing up in an agricultural family, Warren always wanted to be a farmer. After leaving school he worked on a sheep and wheat farm in Moree, but when the work dried up, Warren went in a different direction, including the hotel industry and Coles supermarkets. Ironically, it was Coles that led Warren to the Northern Rivers and farmers markets. After marrying and starting a family, he decided he needed a better-suited job and took up a position with Coles. When the supermarket chain transferred Warren to Ocean Shores the move took him full circle – back to farming, only this time with his own farm. ‘I didn’t like the way Coles was operating, and I still wanted to get back to the land, so we looked around the area and ended buying
28 The Byron Shire Echo żſĶō ǩǯǽ ǩǧǩǨ
BALLINA
Wharf Bar & Restaurant
EVERY DAY
HAPPY HOUR
Ballina
4–6PM Dine in and takeaway Great summer menu www.wharfbarballina.com.au
FB/Insta: wharfbarballina 12–24 Fawcett St, Ballina 6686 5259
BANGALOW
Bowlo Kitchen
Family friendly, tradies’ local, restaurant quality. Wednesday to Friday happy hour, midweek specials, excellent wines, foodies delight, creative cocktails, local produce, massive kids’ space, welcoming staff, Open Wed–Fri 12–2.30pm & 5–8.30pm; and COVID Safe. Sat 12–8.30pm; Sun 12–7pm.
The Bowlo, Bangalow 6687 2741
Sheep farmer Warren Wiggins at Bangalow Farmers Market.
land at Bexhill, which is the farm where we still live,’ Warren says. ‘It took some time to build up our breeding stock, but we’re really happy we made the move. I think this is God’s country.’ More recently, Warren has started using regenerative farming practices, incorporating fermented seaweed, which he makes himself, into his farm plan. ‘It’s about getting good microbes into the soil, which improves the pasture,’ he says. ‘Instead of spraying it, I feed it directly into the sheep’s water. It gives them a good hit of probiotics, which helps them fight off worms. In turn, their excrement, including those microbes, goes back into the soil. It’s great.’ You can find Warren at the Local Dorper Lamb stall every Thursday at Byron Farmers Market and every Saturday at Bangalow Farmers Market. Byron Farmers Market is held Thursdays 7–11am at the Cavanbah Centre and Bangalow Farmers Market is held Saturdays 7–11am behind the Bangalow Pub.
Nimbin Valley Dairy Just when we thought Nimbin Valley Dairy couldn’t get any more sumptuous, owners Paul and Kerry Wilson have brought out a truffle brie! The fifth-generation dairy farmers and artisan cheesemakers operate from their farm in the fertile Nimbin Valley. Paul says the new cheese, named Truffled Cow, is going to win the hearts of those who like strong flavour. ‘Truffle brie is a way of making a more special product,’ Paul says. ‘We make the cheese, cut it in half, and put a fine layer of truffle paste through it, join it back together and it continues to mature. ‘It’s an intense, beautiful flavour – you have to like truffle.’ The process is done in week one and the cheese then matures for another month before being sold. Producing both cow- and goat-milk products on the farm, Nimbin Valley Dairy is inspired by the regenerative farming practices of their forebears and the traditional cheesemaking practices of France and Italy. Their mantra declares: ‘Our produce is what it is. No numbers in the ingredients list and no words you can’t pronounce. Just simple pleasures we’ve enjoyed for generations and are now sharing with you.’ While goat-milk products were off the menu while Kerry grappled with a rare spinal disorder, his recovery process means the business will be returning to its full offerings.
Good Taste
Club open Wed–Sun from 12 noon www.bangalowbowlo.com.au bangalowbowlo @thebowlo
BYRON BAY
The Italian Byron Bay The Italian, Byron Bay, provides a bustling 21, 108 Jonson St, atmospheric restaurant, dishing up contemporary Byron Bay inspired Italian cuisine and some of Byron’s Open 7 days from 5.30pm finest cocktails and wines. 5633 1216 www.theitalianbyronbay.com
MVP 7/7 Lawson St, Byron Bay Booking via our website mvpbyronbay.com.au
Lord Byron Distillery
Open Tuesday–Saturday 12 noon – 5pm 7, 4 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay 8646 4901
Loft Byron Bay 4 Jonson Street, Byron Bay 6680 9183
Book online: www.loftbyronbay.com.au
Fishheads Byron Bay
1 Jonson Street, Byron Bay 6680 7632 FISHHEADSBYRON
St Elmo Dining Room & Bar ‘We simplified the business during this time, and we’d like to thank the community for their many messages of support and wellwishes,’ Paul said. ‘Kerry is making a good recovery and we are aiming to bring back our goat cheeses this year.’ Paul said the pair love the farmers markets as a way to connect directly with their community, with customers returning with photos and stories of how they have used the cheeses – with everything from cheese platters to quiches and salads. Nimbin Valley Dairy runs a stall every Friday at the Mullumbimby Farmers Markets, and Paul invites everyone to drop by and become acquainted with their artisanal products. Contacts: kerry@nimbinvalley.com.au 0439 668 989
Come along to the Bangalow Bowlo and find out.
Probably the world’s best pasta* Open for Dine in + takeaway + delivery Thursday – Friday – Saturday – Sunday – Monday To book, order takeaway or free pasta puns visit mvpbyronbay.com.au Or dm slide@mvp_byron_bay *Internal staff poll
CELLAR DOOR – TASTINGS & TOURS
Handcrafted spirits using locally sourced ingredients.
Naturally Better!
Free from added artificial flavours and colours.
MAKE YOUR OWN BOTTLE OF GIN
- book online. Gin Making Gift Vouchers available. LORDBYRON.COM.AU LordByronDistillery Incredible cocktails, locals beers & all-day snacks and food to share, with ocean views. Happy Hour | Every day 4–6pm $6 Loft lager or wine, $10 Aperol Spritz, $14 Margarita Espresso Martini Nights | Every day 9–11pm 2 for $25 Classic Espresso Martini Open every day from 4pm till late.
GREAT SUMMER MENU
Indulge in one of our new creations! We are proud to say, that for over 20 years, we have been serving the Byron community fresh, local seafood and ingredients. To improve your dining experience, we have developed a smaller plate menu, designed to be shared, and enabling you to try a greater variety of dishes. Enjoy! The Fishheads Family
Open Thursday–Sunday 5–10pm Cnr Fletcher St and Lawson Lane, Byron Bay 6680 7426
St Elmo is a place where you can enjoy great company, first-class food, sophisticated cocktails and an extensive wine list. St Elmo is plating up modern Spanish cuisine to be enjoyed amongst friends and family. Our menus change regularly and feature daily specials.
Chupacabra
Fresh authentic Mexican in a relaxed atmosphere.
www.stelmodining.com
This is food made with love, all produce sourced locally. Eat in or take out. Margaritas and tacos all night long! Shop 12A, 3 Clifford St, Family friendly, totally GF menu. Suffolk Park DINNER 5pm–9pm 6685 3059 WED–SAT www.chupacabra.com.au Book via Resy @chupabyron
Forest Byron Bay 77-97 Broken Head Rd, Suffolk Park 6685 4969
www.crystalbrookcollection. com/byron/forest
@forestbyronbay
Set next to a lush rainforest oasis, Forest celebrates sustainability working hand-in-hand with local farmers, growers and artisans. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and just-drinks… the perfect place to feed your soul. Stay awhile. As a Byron Bay Crystalbrook Local you get to enjoy 15% off food and drinks when you sign up online.
www.echo.net.au