BYRON BAY OR THE BOHEME SURF
Byron bay is for the people initiated to the transcendence of the wave reminds us a epinal image, the one of the alternative and boheme city. Initially inhabited by the Arakwal, this old whale fishing arbour is now one of the favorite young european surfer's spot, yet being slowly gentrified. We guide you in this exploration, not to lose yourself into delusions in this kaleidoscopic city. It's in 1770 the explorer James Cook arrived and named the place Byron, in reference to his grandfather, the poet Lord Byron. The lighthouse is then erected in 1901, the easternmost point on the Australian continent, where we can admire a majestic paster sunrise while listening to the whales' songs for the music lovers.
The village grew and became close to Nimbin where the organisation of the Aquarius Festival, an alternative rock festival from 1973, is definitely going to set Byron Bay as the centre of the hippie culture. It then becomes the most famous longboarders spots. There is now in Byron the first solar train line and a national parc protected and led by the Arakwal.
Riding from the North to the South
Belongil
This beachbreak spot is mostly frequented by young beginners from the nearby hostel, the Wake-up hostel, with a chill and fun atmosphere. The wave is powerful and slowly break on rights, a perfect combo for longboarders.
The Wreck
Mostly for shortboarders and a bit dangerous because of the wreck, waves are quite powerful. Thus, we do not recommend to beginners to surf over there. One or 2 surfschools open during the season and you can also go for snorkling to admire fishes, turtles…
Clarke's Beach
This calm family beach is really chill. The beach has a good protection against powerful against the tides. There are a lot of beach bowls so that children can play while you embrace the ocean. The beach protects us from the tides and south winds, and are ideal to start on high tides. On low tides, waves chock on sand bank with strength and energy.
Main Beach
As it said, this is the main beach of Byron, crowded and impracticable. Don't waste your time over there, may be only for a few drinks ! The beach is by the city center, bars and liquors shops.
The Pass
This beach break spots is a paradise for longboarders, this is the surfsport nobody wants to miss when coming in Byron. Easy right for beginners and better surfers. It's a good fallback spots when Wategos and The Wreck don't work.
Wategos
The pointbreak is a good fallback spot for shortboarders. Yet, it's mostly populated by longboarders. Be aware of the reef at the entry. You can also see some dolphins, manta rays, and multicolor chart of fishes to fill your memories.
Little Wategos
A virgin and wild spot, it's a exotic and surrealist spot where you can admire the Cap Byron. Little Wategos has something casual, there aren't many tourists. Be aware of the dangers: rocks, currents and sharks sometimes.
Cosy Corner Byron Bay
Protected by the national parc of Arakwal, the beach is perfect when north wind blow. Surfing there is somehow orgasmic with the mystical ambiance which reigns over there: soft and powerful beach breaks waves, perfect for longboards sessions while admiring deltaplanes sliding between the clouds.
Tallows beach
The point break is really wild and desert, but unfortunately exposed to wind and currents. Waves are bigs and powerful and sharks love to hunt there. Yet, as Little Wategos, this beach is incredibly casual and welcome some beach parties sometimes.
Where to sleep ?
All rooms and youth hostels cost around 30 AUD, and around 90 - 120 AUD per night for a private room.
Wake up hostel
This youth hostel is far more the best one you can find in town: big kitchen, big and comfy rooms with free access to boards and bicycles, although the boards are mostly for beginners. The hostel organize some free activities in the sourroundings, walks till the Lighthouse to admire sunrise, wine and cheese nights, and Belongil beach is just 2 minutes walking distance from there.
The Art factory
The art factory, it's a camping site, a van space and a youth hostel, the atmosphere is really warm, cosy and surf, with an incredible view on the jungle with a really big pond in the center. The program is really dense during the week, but don't miss the Talent show on wednesday. The bar Coco Republic is a must, and you can go for the closing of Byron Bay Surf Festival each year.
The Beach Hostel
This hostel is very well located in the city center, one minute away from Main Beach. Rooms are spacious, but there is no kitchen. This hostel is the best one if you want to go enjoy the night life of Byron Bay. The Beach Hostel bar is also a must to see, where there often are concerts. There are also cheaper hostels such as the Aquarius or the Nomads but the it doesn't worth going.
Eats and drinks
Sunday sustainable bakery offers differents kinds of coffees and increadibly healty and tasty cakes. Finn Poké offers bowls for 10 AUD, local beers and surprising smoothies. The Passcafe Byron Bay is the place to be if you want to enjoy the typical Australian longboard ambiance. Over there, you can enjoy vegetarian cuisine and turmeric lattes.
Le Locura is the trendy bar of Byron Bay. All age people and expensive cocktails, you might see some berliners DJ. The Balcony is a high range bar and restaurant, which plays the French cuisine cards.
The rails is an old railway station of Byron with a trendy and alternative touch such as in Grand Train in Paris and Darwin in Bordeaux. The Byron Bay Brewery is one minute from Art Factory. Small intimists concerts, they organise every saturday a Coco Republic, a techno concert.
And if you can't go surfing ?
The Ti Tree lake in Suffolk is a sacred place for aboriginals. The water is apparently miraculous for your skin thanks to the tannin of nearby tea trees. The water is almost brown with an incredible view on the surrounding jungle. The Mount Warning, located 1,5 hours from Byron Bay by car peaks at 950m. Formed by the ancient volcan Tweed Volcano, the hill gives you an astonishing view on the Wollumbin valley, which has a mystical aura because its story depends on the statut of the people telling the story. As a occidentale women under 30, the mountain catch dreams, and if you are a male under 30, the mountain is for warriors rest. From a materialistic point of view, be aware of the harsch climbing conditions when almost at the summit. The Minion Falls is a big valley has a lot of big valleys with long hills and water falls.
To finish, there are 2 events you cannot miss: the Byron Bay Surf Festival which happens in mid february and the Byron Bay Bluesfest.
All pictures by Fabien Voileau.
We are a group of women who share a passion for the outdoors, adventure and art. With Waves and Ice we do not only want to show our stories but also inspire other women to follow their passions, even if it seems that the area their passions lie in are mostly male dominated.