Just back From...

Byron Bay

By Lee Franks

Now I'm not the worlds best flyer, so when I saw the Rex prop jet sitting on the tarmac I was a little uncertain. Being 6 foot, I banged my head on the door getting onboard and couldn't squish my bag in the mini overhead locker. Probably because it was full of boxes of Krispy Creme donuts ... what IS the deal with this donut-trafficking?! However, all trepidation melted away after a smooth takeoff and the most breathtaking low level cruise directly over the CBD at 'lighting up' time. Glass of wine in hand I appreciated the most spectacular view of the harbour bridge and Opera House that I've ever had ... and I even managed to spot my house in Surry Hills. What a great start to the weekend ...

I was delighted to find the flight was actually really comfortable! We purchased a wine for a very reasonable $5 (free bag of chips) and amused ourselves with the Country-focus of the inflight magazine. Landing in Ballina at 8pm we had pre-arranged for an AVIS rep to be there with our hire car at the ready. There's also a shuttle bus that operates between Ballina Airport and Byron 7 days a week (6.30am-7pm) and a 24 hour limousine service.

The drive from Ballina to Byron is an easy 20 mins. Being the big kids that we are, we noted by the side of the highway the impressively plastic looking "Macadamia Castle" with it's giant plastic Knight by the roadside and thought "Now, that's a must for the way back!"

In Byron we stayed at the new, squeaky clean and friendly Breakfree Eco beach (book online for some great rates). It's on the main road as you enter Byron from Ballina but due to a total lack of signage we had an impromptu tour of the town (several times) before locating its whereabouts! We discovered it's about 5 mins from the centre and 7 mins from the Beach Hotel where you can sink a satisfied schooner by the side of the ocean before bed.

There is a multitude of great cafes and coffee shops in Byron where you can you while away the morning over a leisurely breakfast, which is exactly what we did, before attempting to walk up to the Lighthouse. Half way up we realised it's actually quite a trek in the heat of the day and decided to repeat the exercise at sunset (and by car)

Saturday afternoon we succumbed to the essential tourist/backpacker experience and had a Surf lesson! I booked a very reasonable single group lesson for 4 hours including equipment, transport and instruction for $39 pp with Koolkatz.com.au. Our surf-dude instructor drove us to Lennox head in search of the best waves and after 5 mins briefing on the beach we hit the waves (and boy did I hit them ... and the sand, after multiple impressively awful dunkings) However, I DID manage to stand up several times ... I now think I am some minor Laine Beachly and have totally caught the bug ... if only I could swim properly! We did have a lovely swim in the nearby Tea-tree Lake, not only refreshing cos it washed all the salt off but the tea tree gives it wonderful antiseptic qualities, perfect for soothing my grazes! It was dark dark brown due to the tea tree, and when submerged your skin looked blood red - hmm, slightly disturbing for anyone with an overactive imagination (like the Danish girls we were with). Dinner that night was a sumptuous affair at the 'Balcony' bar and restaurant and yes, my companion and I were talking surf-speak all night - we must've sounded way cool ;-)

All fired up with that experience we bookd the next morning to go Dolphin Kayaking. Byron is renowned for it's dolphin population and the best way to experience these awesome creatures at close quarters is in a kayak. At one point we were surrounded by about 30 of these beautiful mammals and all was stunned silence broken only by the 'fusssht' noise they make when they do whatever they do with their blowholes. You are not allowed to approach them within 50 metres, however, if you sit still they tend to come to you. I caught my breath as 3 of them actually swam directly underneath our kayak! Ending a perfect morning was a bit of white water adrenalin activity as we 'surfed' the kayaks back to the beach.

A quick beach shower and a spot of lunch and it was time to head back to Ballina (not forgetting a stop at Macadamia Castle enroute - as Eric said "I mustn't forget to grab my nuts") This time we enjoyed a magnificent sunset flight along the coast watching the golden sun melt into the Great Dividing Range and thinking how just 2 days away from the City can make you feel so refreshed and recharged. Must be the Byron vibe, man! I'm addicted!