Byron Bay Weekend

After a short run at Victoria Point on early Saturday morning we drove south (about 2 hours) to Byron Bay to join the teachers of the New South Wales exchange league for the long weekend. Unfortunately the weather was a little dreary but we nevertheless had a great time and met some wonderful new people.

We met everyone at Clarke's Beach for a picnic and a get-acquainted session. After a bite to eat and a chat with some of the NSW exchangees,  we wandered the beaches of Byron Bay and hiked around the headland and up to the Lighthouse (the most Easterly point on mainland Australia). There we saw whales, albeit from a distance and through a steady drizzle.

Wandering Clarke's Beach at Byron Bay

Note who has no umbrella or raincoat for the weather!

 

low tide at Clarkes Beach

Byron Bay - lots of diving classes and surfing groups out (all in wetsuits!)



New South Wales' exchange teachers at a look out

The most easterly point in Australia and, at that time, the wettest!



The lighthouse overlooking Byron Bay

Early Saturday evening we met up once again at the iconic Beach Hotel once owned by Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee). On Sunday morning we met at the Brunswick Heads' Surf Club and carpooled to The Channon craft markets. They were both interesting and colourful. The words or phrases to best decribe them would include eclectic, organic, 1960s, barefoot and mud, healthfood, natural, off the grid, Woodstock, etc.. We wandered about, watched people, bought some souvenirs and, grabbed a spot of lunch from one of the many and varied food vendors at the markets. In the early afternoon we left The Channon and headed out for a tour of the unique hinterlands, Nimbin, Lismore and Ballina.

Brunswick Heads' Surf Club  (the sign under the palm tree says "Caution:  Brown snakes are prevalent in this area".  Needless to say, we were quite watchful while we were there!)

 

The hinterlands

The Channon markets - chooks for sale

Lunch - a delicious chicken and chorizo paella (Nancy had a half order of tiny Dutch pancakes -like aebleskiver- for dessert, too)

Note the autumn leaves falling - only up here in the mountains though.

Making sure everybody is together before going into Nimbin

This little town was stuck in the '60s and its population was "high" on life.  It is known as the Woodstock of Australia.   

The day was finished up back at Brunswick Heads surf club for a good ol’ Aussie BBQ and a bit of a gab session

The lookout on the hill at Ocean Shores (just north of Brunswick Heads) where we were staying.

 

We enjoyed the hospitality and company of our kind hosts on Monday before a last look around Byron Bay, lunch with 2 exchangees from Sydney, then headed north to home and a cold rainy evening working on report cards.