Byron Bay
A popular destination on the New South Wales North Coast — closer to the Queensland border than it is to the NSW capital, Sydney — Byron Bay is a magnet for visitors following the sun, particularly in winter, and for those intrigued by a culture that mixes fun, surfing and a laid-back alternative lifestyle with a more traditional, country existence.
While Byron Bay has become a coastal tourist mecca, and depends on tourism for a major share of its income, there are the old-time residents who bewail the area's changing face.
In some ways, a number of observers note a love-hate relationship with tourists which is probably less common than the way it is perceived.
Adverse publicity
In late October 2005, Byron Bay received a bucketful of bad publicity when Australian television fisherman and Australian Rules commentator Rex Hunt said he and his son, and their partners, were set upon by a group of youths on Byron Bay's main street. Hunt said his group was singled out as "tourists" in the brawl which ensued.
Hunt was quoted as saying attacks on tourists were common in Byron Bay and holiday-makers should avoid the town.
Because of his relatively high profile as a television personality, Hunt's comments were widely broadcast and Byron Bay suffered a number of hotel and motel booking cancellations, ostensibly because of worries about safety.
Is Byron Bay safe?
The perception is that Byron Bay does have its problems, but whether these are greater or less than in other popular tourist spots is still the subject of speculation.
In any case, Byron Bay has been receiving thousands of visitors yearly and reports of violent incidents involving tourists, in relation to the number of tourist arrivals, may be small.
'One of the safest'
Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham was quoted in Sydney's Daily Telegraph (November 7, 2005) that Byron Bay is "one of the safest places in the country."
Of the Hunt incident, the mayor said: "It's only one side of the story, the young people he blames are saying something else, so you have to wonder who is correct."
Whatever the facts are in Byron Bay, the best course for visitors is to avoid situations that could result in fights or being ganged upon, particularly at night.
Byron Bay attractions
For all that, Byron Bay remains one of the more attractive places on the New South Wales coast.
The sea offers a sun-kissed place for surfing, sailing, diving or simply lazing away the time on a golden beach.
Outdoor concert venues, pubs, wholefood and vegetarian eateries, and craft shops and markets are among the drawcards of the region.
Well-known Australians — including actor Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee) whose mate John Cornell, better known in his heyday as the actor/comedian Strop, owned Byron Bay's Beach Hotel — have lived in the area. (Cornell sold Beach Hotel in 2007, and Hogan no longer lives in Australia.)
East of town, and with a lighthouse built in 1901 as a distinctive landmark, Cape Byron is Australia's easternmost point.
In neighboring hinterlands flourish communities of an alternative "back to the land" lifestyle.
The different cultural strands meeting in Byron Bay create an interesting, exciting melting pot in which visitors become part of the mix.
Getting to Byron Bay
If driving, your best way to Byron Bay is through the Pacific Highway (Highway 1) from either Sydney or Brisbane, or other points in between. Byron Bay is 800 kilometres north of Sydney and 100 kilometres south of the Queensland border.
If driving north, turn off at Bangalow and drive about nine kilometres east. If driving south (say, if coming from the Gold Coast), there is an earlier turn-off — watch out for the sign — where you only need to travel about six kilometres to Byron Bay.
If taking a bus, all major bus companies stop at Byron Bay from points along the Pacific Highway.
If flying, the nearest airport is at Ballina, which should be about a 30-40-minute drive to Byron Bay.
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