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Byron Bay

Planet Byron – Amy Rudder

It has everything. It honestly does. If I could immortalise any destination in a snow dome it would be Byron Bay; but it would be raining grains of sand and rays of sunshine – not snowflakes. Byron Bay is golden. Its aura gives off a throbbing glow.

It is a microcosm of all that should exist and thrive on a happy weekend away from the misery of your desk-job and bleak cityscape.

Flying into Ballina you are only half an hour from your destination. And what a pleasurable half hour even that proves to be. The drive along the coast and through the hinterland delivers you to Byron in awe of the gorgeous landscape.

The next 48 hours is something of a menagerie of music, dolphins, fine food, coffee, friendly people and tanned bodies. Where to start?

Music: from the older independents left-over from the psychedelic seventies playing the park by the train station to the best Aussie acts from all over the nation playing at the Great Northern there is always a soundtrack that sets the scene for your weekend.

Dolphins: three out of three. Not once have I left Byron disappointed that I didn’t see Dolphins. They come close to shore to perform aqua acrobatics along the break and challenge (and ultimately show-up) the surfers relying on boards to gracefully cut a swathe through the waves.

Fine food: the menu read something similar to this… poached eggs, smoked salmon, haloumi salad, grilled barramundi, lemon tart with raspberry coulis, french toast, roast vegetables and goats cheese on turkish bread, strawberry and hazelnut gelato, tom khaa kai and penang curry beef.

Coffee: all accompanied of course by some of the very best coffee you will find outside of Italy. It is alleged that the masses of Melbournians visiting these parts over the years have influenced the culinary culture and demanded of Byron the best Baristas with a commitment to good coffee. Works for me.

Friendly people: from the driver of our Airport-Byron shuttle, to the hostess of our serviced apartment; from the sommelier that took my order at Fins to the man walking his dog that gave directions to the light-house; from the beat-boxers and bongo drummers busking to the family man that slowed down to allow me to cross the road, Byron Bay is full of friendly people. I sometimes think that I too would be more friendly a person should I live somewhere like Byron.

Tanned bodies: so it’s not good for you, but the beaches are irresistible. And not just the beaches… in Byron you can drink your beer outside – lying on the grass in the beer-garden – and you can dine alfresco too. With all the outdoor activity it’s inevitable you’ll get a tan.

So with all this is it any wonder I keep going back? Byron Bay is honestly a beautiful weekend away and I would recommend it to anyone. In the meantime I will shake up my snow dome and dream on.