Dani Aneka

When you think of the typical Aussie surfers paradise with an eclectic mix of locals from all corners of the world seeking sun, sea, arts, culture, music, food and a buzzing social scene all in one place, Byron is the number one destination. So with some time on our hands over the holidays and somewhere I had on my bucket list to visit, we decided to take a road trip up the north coast to spend New Years in the bohemian town of Byron and explore some hidden gems on our way back.

Packing up the Defender and our little boat complete with a nifty camping setup, we hit the road a day before NYE and covered some good distance on our first leg up the coast from Sydney. Making it all the way to Sawtell by dusk, we were about to get some groceries and park up for the night, when my boyfriend spotted an old friend who lives in town. He invited us to stay the night, so we brought in some cheeses, meats, dips, bread and wine to graze on as the boys had a catch up and reminisced on old times.

The next day was NYE so we got going in the early morning with the view of buying last minute tickets to Falls Festival. We didn’t reach Byron until gone 1pm, so instead we decided to make the most of our final day in 2018 and spend the evening in town soaking up the atmosphere. Following cocktails at the Beach Hotel, we found a perfect spot on the headland just out of central Byron to park up and camp for the night.

A quick freshen up and a few vinos sat on top the Defender and we were ready for our NYE in Byron Bay. We stumbled across a fab spot for dinner at Miss Margarita overlooking the beachfront as we sipped prosecco and devoured our Mexican feast of chipotle chicken nachos and fish burritos. The town was alive and so much going on, from jams on the beach to night markets where I bought a Snowflake of Obsidian gemstone anklet meant to balance the body, mind and spirit – just what I need for a fresh start in the new year! Following the countdown on Byron Beach, we danced the night away at a local pub The Great Northerner and ended celebrations with a stunning moonlit walk up the beach to where we were camping.

New Years day and our delicate heads were fixed with a dip in the lagoon and morning of mooching the boutique shops of Byron. Before leaving, we also visited The Farm with its popular cafe and restaurant on site run by the founders of hatted restaurant Three Blue Ducks in Sydney. Here we enjoyed a much needed coffee and spot of brunch overlooking the sunflower fields before another long leg on the road. It was a busy time of year with the holidays in full swing, so I would be keen to visit another time to experience the true free-spirited local vibes of hippie Byron Bay.

Ending up back in Sawtell where we had initially scoped out a good spot to camp by the river, we launched the boat late afternoon and got fishing as the sun went down at golden hour. With a quiet river to ourselves, tunes playing in the background and a glass of vino in hand, it was the most blissful way to welcome in the first day of 2019. Our setup for the night was just perfect too, with a makeshift kitchen laid out on the grass and boat back on dry land set up with the bed ready to fall into after dinner. I made the most of what we had as shops had closed early on the bank holiday, even having to use tin foil for makeshift plates! I put together some bruschetta with cucumber, tomato and lemon for starters before steaming some broccoli and corn to accompany our little white fish from the days catch – modest yet so tasty.

After a morning dip, we ventured into the quaint old town of Bellingen to have a coffee in the trendy cafe/shop Hyde and later lunch at No 5 Church Street. I would highly recommend this hidden spot on a quiet side street for food in Bellingen with its quirky interiors and menu to suit all tastes. I opted for a delicious pumpkin feta salad and my boyfriend raved about the chicken burger and ‘best chips’ he’d ever had! Bellies full we visited the Promised Lands just out of town for an afternoon swim and more fishing. This is a truly stunning area of natural beauty with a fresh water stream running through the heart of the woodlands and large plunge pools for taking a dip.

Our final night of cooking beneath the stars, we polished off our wine supply whilst discussing our hopes and plans for the year ahead. It was certainly a journey of prosperity and growth for me here in Oz and now I find myself diving head first into a second year here! I could never have dreamed what this adventure had in store for me and the happiness it would bring along with it, so I intend to go forward with an open mind and ready to embrace the opportunities 2019 has to offer…’Dare to go beyond your wildest dreams and your true potential will follow.’