NSW
The lighthouse somehow feels like a symbol of hope…
The New Luxe
EVENTS CALEN D A R / 201 JA N U A R Y
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Byron Bay Ar ts Classic A community visual arts events that su pports local artists and en courages thei r development. Visi participate in tors can workshops and purchase origin byronartsclass al works. ic.com.au
OCTOBER
THE EXPERIENCES
F E B 28 -M A RCH 9 Byron Bay In ternational Film Fest More than 200 ival international feature films, documentarie s, animations an d shor at venues arou ts screen nd Byron, including a fre e outd off Main Beach. oor cinema bbff.com.au
A P R IL 17 -2 1 Byron Bay Bl ue Celebrating its th sfest 2014, Bluesfes 25 year in t will world-class ac be hosting ts like Jack Johnson, Elvis Costello, John Mayer, Dave M atth Erykah Badu ac ews and ro stages on one ss seven huge long weekend. blue sfest.com
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A U G U S T 13 Byron Bay Wri ters More than 100 Festival au from Australia thors gather in Byro and Asia n fo weekend of le r a winter ct launches, disc ures, book ussion panels , readings and lu byronbaywriter nches. sfestival. com.au
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Byron Bay Su rf A three-day fu Festival sion of surf culture, art, ph ot film, live music ography, , lit workshops, m erature, arkets and more drawin creative energy g on the of its strong surfi Byron and ng byronbaysurffe history. stival.com
Other places to stay if you're looking for something different. R AE ’ S O N WAT E G O S
B Y R O N B AY V ILLA
G A IA R E T R E AT & S PA
An ultra-exclusive boutique retreat that has hosted everyone from local stars Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Hugh Jackman to Gwyneth Paltrow and Tom Cruise. raesonwategos.com
The quintessential Australian beach house with four bedrooms, a swimming pool, cool contemporary design and a top location close to Wategos Beach. contemporaryhotels. com.au
An award-winning health retreat founded by our very own Olivia NewtownJohn. Indulge in healthy meals, spa treatments, daily yoga and lifestyle lessons. gaiaretreat.com.au
SKYDIVING & NIGHT WALKS
See the beauty of the Byron region from above – more than 4,200 metres above as you freefall on Australia’s highest tandem skydive. The drop zone is close to the centre of Byron Bay for views over the ocean, beaches and forested hinterland. skydivebyronbay.com Explore the rainforest by night to see native nocturnal wildlife like possums, bandicoots, bats and, occasionally, koalas. Because torches or lights will scare away the animals, you’ll be wearing high tech night vision goggles for the tour and be completely immersed in the forest. visionwalks.com
HIKING & WHALE WATCHING
The lighthouse. It’s what everyone talks about in Byron Bay, and for good reason – the walk up there is almost as spectacular as the view, the bushland hugging the path tightly as kookaburras sing intermittently. After about 40 minutes ascending, the view of ocean and coastal bushland is every bit as breathtaking as you’d hoped, and the lighthouse somehow feels like a symbol of hope. Between May and November, up to 17,000 humpback whales migrate up the east coast of Australia – get a front row seat on a private luxury yacht. exclusiveconcierge.com.au
SURFING & BALLOON FLIGHTS
SHOPPING
Byron Bay has a number of challenging breaks for experienced surfers, but it’s also a great spot to learn. Exclusive Concierge can organise a private lesson with a professional instructor that will have you standing up on your board in no time. If you don't mind an early start, see Byron and the surrounding “green cauldron” of hinterland from a sunrise balloon flight, complete with champagne breakfast. byronbayballooning.com.au
Byron's shops are a refreshing mix of hippy, hipster, sophistication and beachside laid back. The place to shop is Fletcher Street: at Hope & May you’ll find sweet gifts and fashion pieces; linger over the ultra-feminine dresses at Sweet Papillou; and at Phyllis Boho, pick up a designer kaftan, nicknamed the “Byron uniform”. The Byron Farmers Market has a brilliant atmosphere and plenty of organic, pesticide-free, herbicide-free, artificial this-and-thatfree food and trinkets.
DISCOVER MORE AT VISITNSW.COM
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