So it’s been a little while and look there goes 2016 and January!

My last blog post was at the beginning of December, which for me, was really the beginning of winding down for the year and the official start of our summer break, hence the hiatus.

When choosing where to stay for our summer break, I only had two simple requests – somewhere warm and with ocean views. Not much to ask is it?

Well, we were not disappointed with our choice when we arrived at our AirBnB on the stunning shores of Belongil Beach, Byron Bay. Writing this post I almost didn’t want to reveal where we stayed because it felt like I’d be giving away Byron Bay’s best-kept secret.

So shhh, don’t tell anyone ok?

As this was our second trip to Byron (see the first here), we tried to balance our time between old haunts and new discoveries. Here are a few of our favourites:

STAY

Beaumonts apartments via AirBnB
Probably our favourite thing about this trip to Byron. You’ll be spoilt with your own private access to the beach and ocean views to Byron Bay’s lighthouse in the distance.

EAT

Three Blue Ducks
This amazing restaurant and produce store is located on The Farm, an 86-acre working biological farm in Ewingsdale, just a 5 minute drive from Byron Bay. Great for dinner, lunch, or just a cold beer at any time of the day.
11 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale

Doma Cafe
A quaint Japanese cafe, nestled in the Hinterlands about 40 minutes from Byron’s coastal strip. A must try: crunchy tuna sushi rolls!
3-6 Albert Street, Federal

Fishmongers Gourmet Fish and Chips
Choose your fish and take it with tempura vegetables, salad greens, hand cut chips or fragrant rice. Then choose your beach view; Main, Clarkes or Watego’s.
1 Bay Lane, Byron Bay

COFFEE

Moonshine coffee
A few doors down from Doma Cafe is a new addition to this area for us. Their carbonated ice coffee a welcome treat on a hot day.
3 Albert Street, Federal

EXPLORE

The Farm
A beautiful property to stroll around after lunch at Three Blue Ducks. We said hello to the cows and cracked some delicious macadamias.
11 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale

Lighthouse walk
Either get up early to catch the golden sunrise or visit in the late evening for a beautiful purple sunset over the ocean.
Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay

Hinterlands touring
Take a drive inland on Coolamon road and spend half a day admiring rolling hills, leafy trails, quaint rural townships.

SHOP

Newrybar Merchants
A collaborative concept store in a beautiful 1890’s cottage. Put aside some quality browsing time for this incredible treasure trove.
19 Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar

Bangalow
A short drive from Byron Bay, this little town is great for a stroll along Bangalow’s main drag, Byron Street, for shopping. Make sure you also visit Station Street’s hub of small creative businesses such as Soulful creative and Woods cafe.

Photography by Mark and Monique Welker.