Escaping down the coast (except for a quick pit stop in Ashmore just near the Gold Coast) from Brisbane in no time we crossed over into NSW (lost an hour of time due Queensland issue with DLST) and were in Byron Bay.
Had booked two nights to stay at The Atlantic which was phenomenal. At about Noon got a text from them asking when our ETA was as they close up check in around 6. The property is essentially 4 guest houses that each have their own communal kitchen and space.
Everything was wonderfully appointed. Plenty of linens, soft beds, quiet property and all in all respectful. I very much like my privacy and being self-contained so I thought this may be pushing it for me, but all in all a great experience.
We had 2 things going on in Byron we didn't expect: weather and Schoolies. Schoolies being the sort of several weekend nation wide spring break for Aussie youths. I had heard horror stories about it, but the kids that swarmed this crunchy hippy surf granola village just made it seem a little more lively.
With the weather we spent the earlier part of the day holed up in The Atlantic catching up on work and then getting AMAZING breakfast/coffee at The Bay Leaf just down the street. But, that wasn't going to stop me from going out and seeing the most eastern point in Oz...and getting in the big surf as the water was tolerable.
The Northern Hotel is a pretty central and large pub that we got some pizza and salads at one night and then went back to see some bands play which judging from their calendar if you are there pretty much any Thurs-Sat you can see some live music...or go around the corner and bet on horse races.
I eat Mexican food about 3-4x a week between my 3 meals a day. Maybe it is because I grew up in California or maybe because Mexican food is just f'ing amazing. So I thought I would be going through withdrawals in Australia. Passing by Miss Margarita in Byron Bay I had to stop...plus they had Valentina which is my favorite hot sauces. Hopes were high!
Margarita (class and spicy/smokey) were both really great. The pork and pineapple tacos were pretty tasty, the chicken chipotle burrito while it was good I think it was just missing a certain something (or it was the slightly sweet slaw they threw into it). But, happy hour drinks, a cute crowd and VERY friendly staff it's worth a stop.
I would loved to stay in Byron Bay longer, if (when) I come back to Australia I really hope to stay here again. But, had to start packing up and head down south a bit more.
We made a quick stop by the Sunday market which was about 3x the size I expected...but lots of food trucks, local artisans and crafts, eco-friendly clothes, folk art...plan your trip around being there Sunday if you can!
