See Byron Region – Visit North Coast NSW

Suffolk Park

wpadmin — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:14:56 +0000

A Byron Bay locality name, Suffolk Park adjoins Tallow Beach and this proximity has led to the area becoming very popular with professionals, artists and writers who enjoy the advantages without the traffic and tourism of the main town. Tallow Beach retains its natural beauty thanks to building restrictions, and houses are all but invisible on the walk down to the adjoining Broken Head nature reserve, a popular surfing spot.

A small but well-serviced shopping centre plus the local hotel makes town (a five minute drive north) an optional experience and a local bus service supplements the popularity of bikes for local transport. The adjoining Byron Hills and Bayside housing estates provide the bulk of family housing, while the beachside area also offers holiday accommodation.

INFORMATION

Population – 2000
Transport – Blanch’s Bus Services
Council – Byron Shire

OTHER WEBSITES

Booking.com

Ocean Shores

wpadmin — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:10:53 +0000

Back in the late 1960’s when American crooner Pat Boone was spruiking the radical new concept of a resort and recreation residential development on what had been just some well-sited farms, locals were somewhat bemused. But the picturesque pastoral landscape bounded by the Brunswick River to the south, Billinudgel to the north and South Golden Beach and New Brighton to the east soon found a steady supply of willing residents and it is now one of the fastest growing towns in the region.

With kilometres of sandy beaches, eleven flora and fauna reserves and the well know Ocean Shores Golf Club it offers many opportunities for sports and relaxation. The reserves are a haven for a variety of wildlife, including birds such as cranes, herons, swamp pigeons, kites, goshawks and many others. The large colony of fruit bats makes a spectacular sight at sunset as they fly out to the surrounding forests to feed. The town’s lookout has spectacular 360 degree views of the surrounding area, and is a great spot to take in the district outlook.

The town has a cross-section of population, with a number enjoying their retirement and their proximity to the golf club, whilst many young families have bought or built their dream homes on the lush and hilly settings. Artists, writers, performers and craftspeople find the quiet settings conducive to work, whilst keen surfers and swimmers enjoy the proximity to the beach. A modern shopping centre plus medical centre, pharmacy, tavern, restaurants and school cater to residents and visitors.

INFORMATION

Population – 4700
Transport Services – Bus
Council – Byron Shire Council

OTHER WEBSITES

Mullumbimby

wpadmin — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:03:59 +0000

At the Pacific Highway turn-off now market by a selection of totem poles topped by a very large pelican there used to be an arrow-shaped sign pointing the way and declaring “Mullumbimby – biggest little town in Australia”.

The alternative lifestyle movement of the early seventies brought a whole range of new settlers into the Mullumbimby area, drawn by the beautiful land and inexpensive housing then available and the faltering rural economy of this farming town took a new direction.

Timber-getters were the first settlers and a village established on the banks of the Brunswick River was proclaimed in 1888. The arrival of the railway in 1894 encourage the development of dairying and agriculture and the town thrived during up until the 1960’s as a service centre for the many small surrounding farms. Local history of the region is on display at the Brunswick Valley Historical Museum housed in the old timber post office in Myocum Street, and the Heritage Park features rainforest plants of the area and a delightful walk beside the river bank.

With the building of the Byron Shire Council headquarters in the late ’90’s, the town gained a further economic push, and is again a busy service centre with a distinctly funky edge.

“Mullumbimby” is an Aboriginal word for ‘small round hill’ and the dominating cone of Mt Chincogan provides the backdrop of the town, and the name for the annual fiesta. Streets are closed for stalls and a major parade, and the highlight is the Chincogan Charge, a footrace to the top and back.

INFORMATION

Population – 2900
Transport Services
- Blanch’s Bus Service
- Brunswick Valley Coach & Travel
- Railway
Council – Byron Shire Council

MAJOR EVENTS

Community Markets – 3rd Saturday each month
Chincogan Fiesta – September
Community Links
Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre

OTHER WEBSITES

Byron Bay Visitors Guide

Booking.com

Federal

wpadmin — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 22:01:23 +0000

Just a short and scenic hinterland drive from Byron Bay and on the way to Minyon Falls, the quaint little village of Federal is now becoming a popular place to enjoy the country lifestyle.

Once called Jaspar, the village grew after the Big Scrub was felled, and over the last decade new settlers have revitalised or created new services. A long-closed butcher’s shop is now a popular café-restaurant.

INFORMATION

Transport services – Bus
Council – Byron Shire

Billinudgel

wpadmin — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 02:16:50 +0000

The large timber pub which dominates the architecture of the little village of Billinudgel was for many years famed for its publican, the redoubtable Ma Ring, Australia’s oldest publican. The area was settled in the late 19th century and the construction of a railway siding in 1910 was the catalyst for the village development.

Today the Humble Pie tourist complex is the major drawcard, plus a restaurant, café and shops and the industrial area which houses a range of industries.

INFORMATION

Transport Services – Brunswick Valley Coach & Travel
Council – Byron Shire

OTHER WEBSITES

Brunswick Heads

wpadmin — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 02:13:30 +0000

Often seen as the smaller and quieter cousin of Byron Bay, and just 20 km to the north, Brunswick Heads has rediscovered its heart after the increasingly busy Pacific Highway was re-routed away from the centre of town in 1998. With a pretty river setting, which provides a commercial fishing boat harbour (and a great place for enjoying fish and chips or buying some seafood to cook at home) and beautiful surf beaches, Brunswick has always had devoted fans who prefer the gentler pace. With funky new cafes, restaurants and shops opening the town is developing a newer, trendier style.

The river is the focus for the town, with the large old deco-style pub taking in the view from across the road, and lots of space for family picnics and play right on the river. A footbridge across the south arm of the river leads to the Flora and Nature Reserve, and is just one of the many fishing spots on both river and beach.

The Brunswick River, which was the focus of the cedar trade for the valley, was discovered by Captain Rous of the Royal Navy in 1828, and named for Queen Caroline of Brunswick. The district was opened up during the 1850’s. Cedar from the area was reputed to be the best ever cut, and the mighty logs were floated down the river and then hauled out into the surf to the schooners waiting offshore. Today, the woodcutting only happens during the famous Fish and Chips festival held each January.

INFORMATION

Population – Approx 1800
Transport Services – Brunswick Valley Coach & Travel
Council – Byron Shire

MAJOR EVENTS

Community Markets – 1st Saturday each month
Fish & Chips Festival – January
Kites & Bikes Festival – March

OTHER WEBSITES

Booking.com

Bangalow

wpadmin — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 02:09:23 +0000

Back in the late 19th century, the little village of Bangalow was almost at the centre of one of the most productive areas in the state for the dairying industry. With historic shopfronts lining both sides of the main street, the village provided most of the essential services for the locals and the surrounding farms for many decades. But as the motor car took over from the horse and sulky, distances shrank, and shoppers drove further afield. With the main street then part of the increasingly busy highway, and the dairying industry in decline, Bangalow almost went the way of many other rural outposts.

Salvation arrived in the form of the ‘alternative society’ of the early seventies, and as city refugees moved in to enjoy the country lifestyle and low rents and property prices, Bangalow developed a new persona. Funky restaurants, cafes and craft shops and galleries opened and the famous Bangalow markets began.

The heritage shopfronts which had survived without the ugly renovations or demolitions visited on the more successful towns were repainted in stylish colours and the village became a leisure destination, a pretty place to enjoy a coffee or a meal or peruse a gallery or seek an antique. Being only ten minutes from Byron Bay, it’s a popular side-trip for tourists and a hideout for Byron locals in the busy times.

The by-pass which took the traffic away from the town was celebrated with a Billy-Cart Derby which was so successful that it is held every year, along with The Christmas Eve carnival and the historic Bangalow Show.

INFORMATION

Population – 950
Transport – Blanch’s Bus Service, Rail
Council – Byron Shire

MAJOR EVENTS

Billy Cart Derby – May
Bangalow Music Festival – August 3rd
Bangalow Show – November
Christmas Eve Carnival – 24 December
Community Markets – 4th Sunday every month

OTHER WEBSITES

Booking.com

Byron Bay

wpadmin — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 02:06:15 +0000

Byron Bay is a global destination, a name on backpackers’ itineraries from Stockholm to Osaka, a town of beautiful beaches and countryside and a famous lighthouse, but fairly ordinary streets, though with some extraordinary shops.

Fifty years ago it was a whaling station, today the tourists arrive to watch the whales swim happily past, thirty years ago it was just a quiet little coastal town, twenty years ago property was still hard to sell for much of a profit and yet today it often seems like an outpost of the Sydney market. And why not, when so many ex-Sydney-siders, and Melbournites, and escapees from everywhere else have moved here to reinvent their lives. Residents range from forest-dwelling ferals to surfers to born-here locals (and born-again locals), to telecommuters to multi-millionaires, and somehow it all works. As the bumper sticker says “Just another day in Paradox.”

The original inhabitants, the Arakwal people (part of the Bundjalung group) had a comfortable lifestyle in this lush area when Captain Cook sailed past in 1770, and named the Cape after a vice-admiral, not the poet Lord Byron, who was the vice-admiral’s grandson and not yet thought of, let alone famous. However this anachronistic idea was perpetuated in the late 19th century when the streets were laid out and named after famous poets. However the fast-living and flamboyant Lord Byron would surely feel right at home here today!

The shape of the Cape creates the many different surfing beaches, so there is almost always somewhere to surf, and often a range of choices. Surfers discovered the town during the 1960’s, and more and more visitors arrived seeking alternative lifestyles in the 1970’s. By the late 80’s real estate value was recognised and the backpackers were rolling up.

Today the visitor can sample a huge range of activities, from tandem hang-gliding and parachute jumps, to kayaking, surfing (or learning to surf), bike or horse-riding. The marine park at the Julian Rocks, just off the main beach, is the meeting place of tropical and temperate currents, which provides SCUBA divers and snorkellers with some amazing scenery. There is a great walking trail to the top of the Cape, with stunning coastal views, and the lighthouse is the spot to watch for whales in the season. Don’t miss the rainforest walk down to Kings Beach at the Broken Head Nature Reserve.

If some retail therapy is necessary, there is a great range of original crafts, clothing and gift ideas, and coffee shops everywhere to revive the tired shopper. The restaurant scene has moved right along from the days when tofu and lentils ruled to lots of listings in national food guides. There is plenty of nightlife and bands in pubs and clubs.

INFORMATION

Population – 9246
Transport Services – Blanch’s Bus Service, Brunswick Valley Coach & Travel
Byron Bay Taxis, Uber
Council – Byron Shire Council

MAJOR EVENTS

Community Markets – 1st Sunday each month
Byron Surf Festival – February
Byron bay Bluesfest – Easter
Byron Bay Triathlon – May
Splendour in the Grass – July
Byron Bay Writers Festival – August
Sample Food Festival – September
Byron Bay International Film Festival – October
Falls Festival Byron Bay – December

Booking.com