Beaches & Surf
Posted on 27 jun, 2012 by Dustin
Byron Bay - Surf’s Up
The hippy heart of the Northern Rivers region might start in Nimbin, but it certainly spreads all the way to Byron Bay.
You get a laid back feel from the moment you get out of the van and take a lung full of the clean salt sea air. If you are walking around with shoes on, you might feel out of place in this surfy mecca.
Byron is the place to come to learn to surf, meet other travelers, have some serious beach time, generally relax, and have a great time.
We were lucky enough to take part in a beginner surf session with Mojo Surf and also heard about a ‘kayak with the dolphins’ guided tour with Cape Byron Kayaks. Apparently there is a resident pod of 300 dolphins that live in and around Byron Bay, so chances of spotting dolphins playing in the surf are pretty high.
June until October is prime whale watching time when thousands of hump back whales migrate past Cape Byron (Australia’s most easterly point).
One of the first things to do when arriving in Byron is to head to the lighthouse. Seriously…wow! The 360 degree view from Cape Byron will have you understanding why stopping in Byron Bay is a must for everyone road-tripping or visiting Australia. From the lighthouse, you also get to see how many different beaches Byron has to choose from -- more than 20!!
So, aside from exploring the town, taking hundreds of photos at the lighthouse, surfing, kayaking, and swimming in the perfect beaches, what did the #unmapped crew get up to in Byron Bay? (yes, a few of the local nightclubs were visited.)
Sunday involved driving about 10 minutes inland to the village of Bangalow. The 4th Sunday of the month the town holds Bangalow Markets. Kelly and Seattle found more than a few things to take home with them. These famous markets are held in Byron on the first Sunday of the month and then move to Nimbin and The Channon.
Byron is also known for both its vibrant live music scene and its festivals. The big ones are Easter Weekend’s Blues Fest and July’s Splendor In The Grass.
Everyone loved the time in Byron and I get the impression that nearly everyone that visits here falls in love with the place. But I haven’t told you the best bit yet –the team decided to do Australia’s highest sky dive AND send a tweet at the same time - we think it was a world first.
Cheers,
Dustin
The #unmapped blogger
