Local restaurants
Olivo (+61(0)2 66 857950), at 34 Jonston Street, Byron Bay, is a cosy spot popular for its Italian-influenced Australian contemporary food, as well as a good wine selection. Restaurateurs John and Lisa van Haandel have brought a touch of Melbourne magic to Byron Bay at Pacific Dining Room (+61(0)2 66 807055; www.pacificdiningroom.com.au), at the Beach Hotel, on the corner of Jonson and Bay Streets. It’s a compact menu with Mediterranean influences – grilled local prawns with aioli, pimientos de Padrón and Ortiz anchovies are all offered as tapas-style small plates – served in a sophisticated, laid-back venue. At Dish restaurant and Marvell bar (+61(0)2 6685 7320), on the corner of Jonson and Marvell Streets, in Byron Bay, there’s a modern, relaxed Balinese vibe, with ivy clinging to the walls and warmth added by the exposed timber ceilings. Bret Cameron’s seasonal menu – European but with a touch of Asian – reaches just the right level of creativity, too. To dine overlooking the ocean head to the evocative al fresco restaurant at Rae's on Watego's hotel, at 8 Marine Parade (+61(0)2 66 855366; www.raes.com.au), which serves a mix of Australian and Thai dishes with an emphasis on local, organic and seasonal produce and great seafood. Fishheads (+61(0)2 66 807632; www.fishheadsbyron.com.au), on Main Beach at Jonson Street, is another good bet for sampling fresh seafood on a generous indoor and outdoor beachside deck, with calming modern decor and views of the waves and strolling surfers while you eat.
Local bars
Set in a historic local building with a large shaded balcony, The Balcony Bar & Restaurant (+61 (0)2 66 809666; www.balcony.com.au), is a mellow port of call on the corner of Lawson and Johnson Streets, just off Julian Rock near Main Beach. As well as breakfast from 8am till noon (with buttermilk pancakes, toasted banana bread and burritos on offer), there are healthy lunch and dinner options including grilled catch of the day, Caesar salad and oysters. There's an extensive wine list, too, as well as jaunty cocktails such as lychee martinis and mojitos.
Local cafés
Nightlife
Worth getting out of bed for
The hotel's undulating, salt-water pool isn't heated, so is the perfect cooling off spot on hot days. It's fringed with exotic tropical palm trees, with a handy cabana for shady drinks poolside, as well as an all-weather barbecue area for snacking and socialising. There's also an inhouse masseur and beauty therapist if you'd prefer to lie back and be pampered. Plenty of books and toasty log fires in the indoor lounge areas will keep you occupied in the chillier winter months.
If you want to get out and about, the hotel supplies binoculars for bird-watching and free moutain bikes for cycling in the surrounding rural lanes and national parks (a ride or wander up to Cape Byron's famous lighthouse is a must). In fine weather, you can even survey the surrounding countryside and beaches from the hotel's private plane (Victoria, the owner, is a trained pilot, so may take you up herself).
Local activities within five minutes' drive of the hotel include horse riding, golf, bowling, sky-diving and hang-gliding as well as all things aquatic at Byron's beautiful beaches (from surfing, sea kayaking and scuba diving to fishing). You can also while away a few hours at Byron Bay's vibrant local markets, shops and galleries, or head to the town's chic coastal restaurants and bars if you need to refuel.
Diary
August At Byron Bay Writers Festival (www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au) the focus is on Australian authors when the literati gathers for a three-day gab-fest about books, politics and the state of the world.
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Smith extra at Victoria's at Ewingsdale
Tropical fruit platter and bottle of Australian sparkling wine on arrival
From the Guestbook…
Crisp white linen, fluffy towels and French provincial style combined with Bryon Bay chic, make Victoria's at Ewingsdale a relaxing haven away from the bohemian, beachy ambiance of...
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