Birthday Bubbles & Bold and the Beautiful @Byron Bay

[kookaburra75]

Mine and MrsK's birthdays are only nine days apart in October, so we try and organise a trip somewhere which covers one or both birthdays - and somewhere warm. Living in Canberra all her life, being somewhere warm, especially in July/August is high on MrsK's priorities - in fact it's mandatory. After sitting at home through June/July/August, a bit of cabin fever was setting in.

In late August, after seeing reports that air travel was again opening up and that flights to Ballina were mentioned, I jumped online and booked two return airfares from Canberra to Ballina, so we could spend MrsK's birthday in Byron Bay - as neither of us had been there before. Flights on Dash 8's were plentiful, as were reward seats. In fact, as the flight distances are less than 600 miles each way, it was only 16,000 points return each - bargain. MrsK immediately questioned why she wasn't in J, but I explained that the legs were in Dash 8's which didn't have J seats. Another bonus, was that as a Points Club member I received status credits for each of the four legs, and they also counted as my four 'squiggle' flights on my way to requalify for WP.

So, in mid October we made our way out to Canberra Airport, where we hadn't been to for several months and through the usual check in process and made our way to the lounge. It was quiet, with only about half a dozen other people. With the Covid precautions, it was table service, and well managed. The saddest thing was looking at the Departures Board, which listed the flights for the whole day.


And then, we were on our way to Sydney, where we had a hour or so break, and onto the next leg to Ballina.


While we had brought our own face masks, there were the Wellness Packs available at the gate and everyone I saw had one on. Me, being the cheery, jokey sort of person (insert MrsK eye roll here) thought I'd have a bit of fun by drawing a smiley face on the outside of my mask. Those of you who have used felt pens or whiteboard markers know that smell of a pen. Now, if you draw on the outside of your mask with a felt pen and put it on, you are breathing those fumes for the next 20 minutes - at least then, MrsK thought that was funny.


After arriving into Ballina, we jumped on board the airport bus run by Steve's Transport. Our driver Craig was very entertaining on the trip up to Byron, and provided heaps of information on where to eat, what to see and do.

 

[kookaburra75]

When planning our trip to Byron Bay, I had looked through the suggestions and tips from the previous Trip Reports Byron Bay Recommendations - thanks to all for their suggestions.

Given what was happening in the world we wanted somewhere we could be self-contained and after digging around found the The Byron Beachcomber, which is about five minute walk north of the main part of town. That was the first five nights. For the remaining few nights I looked around at different places up in the hills and down on the coast, and we picked Lennox Heads, at the Lennox Holiday Apartments, which was straight across the road from the beach, and had sea views. We didn't need a car while staying in Byron Bay, but I ducked back to the airport and picked up a hire car for our last few days, which allowed us to get around the place as well as just drive straight to the airport on the final day.

At The Byron Beachcomber, we picked a single bedroom apartment at the front, and it was large, clean and modern. Being an apartment we stocked up on supplies so we could eat in and avoid the crush. It was at the front, facing the road, but to us the noise wasn't an issue. Other apartments faced into the centre of the building where the pool was. There was a gate in the back fence, so you could cut across the railway line and onto Belongil Beach, which was so much better than the main Town Beach (not that it's there anymore).


Our lounge room - MrsK is just out of shot topping up her glass of bubbles before settling into a holiday ritual - watching the Bold and the Beautiful.

 

[kookaburra75]

We had the five days in Byron Bay, and after unpacking at our apartment set out for the essentials, and some food. We stocked up at Aldi and also got familiar with the bottle shop at the Beach Hotel. Even though the NSW School Holidays were over, Byron Bay was still very busy, with a lot of hotels and apartments having 'No Vacancy' signs up. When we were driving in to Byron Bay, the driver Craig was commenting on how a lot of people had come up from Sydney, to "Work From Home", from Byron Bay. I can see why.

We tried booking into a lot of the restaurants mentioned in the earlier posts, but virtually all were fully booked for a few days. One good thing, was that all of the venues took their Covid restrictions and management very seriously. Before going into a venue you had to check in using a QR Code, and leave your phone open so the staff could check you had completed that before you were let in. We were fortunate in being able to get into the Beach Hotel for a couple of drinks and dinner on MrsK's birthday, watching the night fall.


We also got acquainted with a number of coffee shops for our morning hit, and went back a couple of times to Byron Fresh cafe, for the coffee, cakes and people watching.


And there were a lot of people to watch. The trend seemed to be you had to be slim, tanned and wearing loose linen outfits - and that was just the men. The women appeared to go with the hippy look, although no caftans, and also the linen look as well. And that was probably the downside of Byron Bay for us, it was really busy.

But despite that, we still found a range of places to eat, drink and hang out. And of course, take out some time on the beach. We had lunches at Elements of Byron, Three Blue Ducks, Fishheads, Treehouse on Belongil, and of course drinks with Margaritas at Miss Margarita, and drinks at the Beach Hotel. Plus some good old fashioned beers at the The Northern pub. .

 

[VPS]

It's so nice reading stories of people actually travelling in this crazy year

 

[Pushka]

And watching Bold and the Beautiful.

 

[kookaburra75]

Wait until you see the later post at Lennox Heads, where we found the Medical Centre, and went searching for Ridge.

 

[kookaburra75]

And of course we were there for the beach. The town beach at Byron Bay is quite narrow, with a small sand cliff at the back, about 2 metres high - well it was while we were there. It's a nice back drop, with most of the sunbathers up on the grass above the beach. It's a nice walk along the track, to check out the sights as well as the houses and other apartments.



But as I mentioned in an earlier post, where we were staying backed onto Belongil Beach, which we felt was a much better beach - wide, gentle swell and some amazing houses up along the top of the dunes.


Looking North up the beach

Looking South, back towards Byron Bay

We strolled the length of Belongil Beach, although not as far as the Clothing-Optional area. After a big walk we retired of course for bubbles and nibbles, while watching B&B.

The next day we took the train up to North Byron, and had a stroll around the area. It was a nice ride on the old rail motor, with a view of the local bush.



We had a quick drink at The Sun Bistro to orientate ourselves, before walking over towards the beach. Luckily, we were able to get into Elements of Byron for lunch. They were limiting entry to just guests and people with lunch bookings, and we had to undergo temperature checks and log in via the QR code system. After a few hours wandering around we headed back on the train to Byron Bay, for another rest, bubbles, nibbles, B&B (repeat). And then came the time to pack up the car (I had jumped the shuttle to get down to Ballina Airport), and make our move to Lennox Heads.

 

[Pushka]

You watch it too?

 

[kookaburra75]

You watch it too?

It's a MrsK thing, but I have started to pick it up as well.

When we were at Lennox Heads, I posted on Facebook that MrsK was watching B&B, and a friend asked whether we had seen Ridge. I replied that "We haven't seen Ridge on any of the episodes. It's all been about Stefi getting out of rehab, Liam is concerned that Stefi's doctor is making a move on Stefi, Bill is providing sage advice (which just shows he's more of a hypocrite than we thought possible, after it was him that hit Stefi on her motorbike that led to her being addicted to pain killers and having to go into rehab), oh and then there's some fashion business going on as well".
Which seemed to cover it. Although a number of other comments questioned my sanity over knowing so much about B&B.

 

[kookaburra75]

The next day, we were up and about, and drove up to the Light House for our morning coffee and a wander.


Coffee with a view

Again, it was busy, but we snared a parking spot, and a seat for our coffee. You can see some of the chairs have been taped off to maintain the separation. We walked around the point, taking in the views and of course, the light house. MrsK was amused about my interest in the survey point (being an old surveyor) - as it is the most easterly point of mainland Australia



Back on the road, we stopped at Three Blue Ducks for lunch, having booked a few days prior. It was a great lunch, with a good wine list. It was a pity that I was driving, but MrsK thought that was ok. You can see in the photo below how busy it was.



From there, we headed down to Lennox Heads for our next few days. Neither of us had been to Lennox Heads before, I really just picked it as it was back towards Ballina, and we get could get an apartment with sea views. And we did.


The view from the balcony on our apartment.

While we liked Byron Bay, we really loved Lennox Heads. It is still very much a beach town - probably what Byron Bay was like 20 years ago. Although there are new housing developments around it. Talking to the guy behind the counter at the Beach Hotel Bottle Shop (as you do), he said he and his wife had sold up from Byron Bay five years ago, and moved to Lennox Heads, as Byron had got too busy and crowded. I can see why.

We stayed at the Lennox Holiday Apartments, which is next door to the pub and only a few minutes walk to the centre of town. We did the usual food and nibbles run, with the IGA having a great range of food and wines. Plus the bottle shop next door had a good range in case of emergencies. The apartment was perfect, lots of room, clean and tidy, view of the ocean, and of course a tv.


MrsK, bubbles and you know what

 

[RB]

Looks like a nice Lennox apartment. Used to visit Lennox for work and thought it had a much nicer "feel" than Byron. Used to grab a quick lunch & eat opposite those apartments

 

[Buzzard]

A chap I once worked with, his brother was the lighthouse keeper at Byron.
Gee that was a long time ago.

 

[kookaburra75]

Given the size of Lennox Heads, the car stayed in the carpark and we walked around town and up and down the beach. We dined in both nights, so we could enjoy sitting out on the balcony and splurged with fish & chips from Fishy Fishy.


The balcony, with the day bed off to the left, out of shot.

We found a few good spots for coffee, but the best for the coffee and a view was up at the Lennox Head Life Saving Club.



While sitting there for our morning coffee, we turned our minds to important decisions that had to be made - where would we have lunch? With the Covid restrictions, it was necessary to book, so we checked out and got into The Shelter for lunch. It was a great find food and wine wise, and we spent a nice time relaxing before leaving Lennox Heads the following day.

At last, we had to start thinking about finishing up our holiday and head home to Canberra - MrsK wasn't entirely rapt with the idea, and took a bit of coaxing to get into the car. As our flight wasn't until 1pm we took it easy, and drove down the coast to Ballina, stopping on the way at the Pat Morton Lookout, to get our last glimpse of the coast.



We drove into Ballina and walked up and down the river bank, before having lunch on the river, at the Ramada Hotel.



But then, the time had come and we boarded our flight at Ballina and headed down to Sydney, for a two hour break until our flight back to Canberra. Being at Sydney airport, at 4pm on a Tuesday with only a few people in sight was very eerie. Likewise, the Qantas Bus Lounge only had half a dozen people in it, including Christina Holgate, presumably on her way to Canberra for the Senate Hearings where her career ended. We spent the time relaxing, with MrsK catch in up on B&B on my tablet.


MrsK watching B&B - and then she looked up and and barked "my glass is empty!" I attended to that problem.

But then the trip was over as we arrived back into Canberra, got our bags and jumped into the taxi to get back home. It was nice to get out of Canberra for a break, and see some places we hadn't been before. While we liked Byron Bay, it was just too busy and over run for us, and we wouldn't go back. But Lennox Heads, we would return to, as it is a good place to chill out and relax.

 

[VPS]

I'm another that wouldn't rush back to BB but did enjoy Lennox Heads. Thanks for the TR

 

[tgh]

Brunswick heads is also a really nice little bolt hole, among many along the coast.
I don't mind Byron, noisy and tacky but has some atmosphere …that is unless you are allergic to pot smoke…cough cough….

 

[JohnSydney2000]

Loved your trip report - thanks to both of you for compiling it. So good to hear someone is actually travelling. John.