Byron Bay was the location for our first print collection and holds a lot of fond travel memories from my childhood. In recent years my husband and I have returned a few times to eat, drink and photograph our way through this coastal town. With regional travel restrictions lifting soon I wanted to share my favourite spots in Byron, incase you're yet to explore (or rediscover) it! I can also vouch for how beautiful it is in winter, with out last two trips taking place in June and August. The skies are clearer, making for crisp, colourful sunsets and daylight hours by the beach really take the chill out of winter. 

STAY

You're absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to chic accommodation in Byron Bay. Sans high-rise buildings, beach bungalows and resort-style Airbnb options line the residential streets. Here are my favourites, including two that we've stayed in and one that is home to a Kiah Studio print!

• The Bower: on my wish-list. A modern, luxe take on coastal stays which just got an amazing pool addition. 
• 28 Degrees: we've stayed in the plunge pool room which is lovely to retreat to of an afternoon. These guys often have great winter specials and packages on offer. 
• Cape Beach House: this gorgeous property has had a recent renovation and is home to our Breathing Space print! It looks like the ultimate beach house and has a stunning position opposite Main Beach.
• The Atlantic: we stayed here on our most recent trip and loved the communal kitchen/dining spaces. It gives you access to full house facilities without the price of a large scale rental. 
• Bask & Stow: these suites have a Palm Springs vibe with white breeze blocks and a pool area surrounded by palms. I've got my eye on their newest addition, the Garden Suite which has cottage-style finishes. 
  
  

Plush linen inside 28 Degrees. 



Tropical garden inside The Atlantic.



Plenty of bikes to ride to the beach. 

EAT & DRINK

Byron's wholesome lifestyle might be most evident in its food. Every Thursday, the farmers market opens at 7am with an array of locally grown produce. Theres a small grass area for communal dining and washable plates replace plastic takeaway containers. We purchased some king mushrooms, fresh ravioli and passata from the markets, cooking it all up in the The Atlantic kitchen.

In town, the food options are endless (and hard to try each one when you keep returning to a favourite). Here are the ones that we've made return visits to:

• The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co: good for a hearty feed. In June we stopped in for the bottomless moules frites (muscles and fries) and in August it's oyster month! 
• Bayleaf: our go-to for morning coffee and a roast veggie breakfast. 
• Byron Fresh: when you want to indulge in some sourdough, pastries or a cheese platter. 
• The Mez Club: serves up beautiful cocktails and food reminiscent of the Mediterranean. 
• St Elmo: A great spot for special occasions. Fine dining tapas and an extensive selection of international wine.
• Folk: probably the cutest cafe in Byron, with a focus on plant-based meals. 
• Combi Cafe: our on-the-go spot for grabbing a smoothie or raw chocolate treat. 
• Top Shop: this place is still on my to-do list because we just haven't spent a lot of time on this side of town. Would be the perfect spot for brunch on the way back from the beach. 
• Stone & Wood Brewery: if a liquid lunch is more your thing then head to Stone & Wood for a tasting paddle of beer. This local brewery is conveniently located near the retail shops of Centennial Circuit 😉
  
  

Outside Byron Fresh and a smoothie from Bayleaf Cafe.

Enjoying oyster month during August at Balcony Bar.

EXPLORE

To get the most out of Byron's beautiful surrounds it pays to hire a bike (or book accommodation that includes one). But seeing as though I'm quite out of practise (and usually lugging around a lot of camera gear) we usually drive up to The Pass or Cape Byron lighthouse at sunrise and sunset. Depending on how much time you have, there are a few beachside spots that I prioritise for their beautiful outlook and opportunity to soak up the sun:

• The Pass: it goes without saying that the eastern end of Main Beach is the best vantage point for watching the waves roll in and the setting sun.
• Wategos Beach: a quieter neighbour to Byron, easily reached from the walking track at The Pass. Stop in for a coffee at Rae's on your morning walk or a cheeky cocktail in the afternoon. 
• Cape Byron: the walk up to the lighthouse from Wategos is spectacular. But if you're heading off in the dark like us, you can always drive up Lighthouse Road instead. 20-minute tours of the lighthouse run regularly from 10am-3pm for a gold coin donation. 
• Broken Head: just 10 minutes south of Byron by car, you'll find Broken Head. If you explore some of the walking tracks off the dirt road beyond the main beach, you'll find some of the most pristine and secluded beaches around. 
• The Farm: most visitors would have already passed The Farm on their way into Byron, sitting right on the corner of the M1 and Ewingsdale Road. This sprawling property is home to all sorts of farm animals, the highland cattle most popular with visitors. There's also a nursery, bakery and Three Blue Ducks restaurant. It's easy to spend half a day here, meandering through the veggie gardens and enjoying lunch on the grass. 
• Newrybar: if you have the time to head out of Byron I recommend a visit to this quaint village, just 20 minutes south-west by car. It's home to Newrybar Merchants (a wonderful collective of local creatives and their wares) and Harvest restaurant and deli. Harvest's restaurant serves up seasonal, local produce with a focus on often under-utilised native ingredients. The Queenslander style dining area, surrounded by an edible garden is a great setting for a special occasion.  
  
  

The Pass, the setting for our first print collection. 



Wategos Beach.

Cape Byron Lighthouse.



Discovering the coves of Broken Head.





Residents at The Farm.

SHOP

Byron is one of those travel destinations where you can find unique, handmade pieces that are true to their origin. There are a lot of luxury brands too, with clothing and homewares that make a statement. These are my favourites for bringing home a little piece of Byron:

• Nikau: a beautiful botanical store filled with greenery. Their ceramics and small planters are an easier option to transport back home. 
• Auguste the Label: feminine, floaty and floral. Auguste offers up the perfect summer dresses for day trips and dinner by the pool. 
• Zulu & Zephyr: I'm yet to visit this boutique because it's relatively new but it's on the top of my list for next time. Aside from their swim collections, interior lovers will swoon over this store's innovative design. 
• Ahoy Trader: Jai Vasicek's hand-painted wall tiles are something I'm starting to collect on my travels. A trip to his Byron boutique though will allow you to see his large format works of art. 
• Assembly Label: Assembly has stores throughout east-coast Oz but their store on Jonson St is a great central location for picking up elevated basics.
• Hope & May (Fletcher St): my go-to for smaller rustic homewares. Lots of beautiful timber and woven pieces perfect for holiday styling. They also stock clothing from Australian brands like Peony and Faithful The Brand. 
• Pampa: stocking artisan textiles from rural Argentina, Pampa is the place for unique woven goods for the home. They also embrace rituals with a selection of incense and ceramic incense holders. 
• Spell & The Gypsy: this gorgeous cottage and courtyard space embodies bohemian style. If you're searching for vibrant prints or a vintage edge to dressing then a visit to Spell is a must!
• Tigmi Trading: Byron might not be the first place you'd expect to find textiles from Morocco but Tigmi offers a large selection of carefully curated handmade rugs. These are true investment pieces for your home. 
• Centennial Circuit: home to Yoli & Otis, Pampa, Ha'veli, Pop & Scott, Hope & May (Home) and Stone & Wood brewery, the trip out to this industrial area is well worth it. While you're there, it's a great chance to checkout nearby St Agni and the Habitat Retail Precinct. 
• St Agni: my favourite brand for linen womenswear. Pick up a relaxed piece that is hardwearing or a pair of their iconic leather sandals. 
• Habitat: this lifestyle and retail precinct is a mix of business, dining and retail. There's a selection of our favourite coastal brands at Habitat's concept store, like Dharma Door. You'll also find Prae and The Beach People here.
  
  

Hope & May's Fletcher Street Store. 



Inside Spell & The Gypsy (left) and Nikau Store (right). 



Spell & The Gypsy Collective.

DURATION

The great thing about Byron is that all of the activities are easily accessible from town and don't take long to check out, so you can pick and choose a few according to how much time you have. Our previous trips have been 3 and 4 night stays but I could easily spend a week here to really settle into beach life. 

If you have any questions about a stay in Byron just give me a shout in the comments below. And if you'd like to bring a piece of Byron into your home, you can shop our full collection here. 

Safe travels,

Jess x