prairie girl musings

Tag: Australia

How to spend a day in Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a popular surf town a short drive (about 1.5 hours southwest) of the Gold Coast. Known for its excellent surf, beautiful walks, and laid back locals, it’s also full of world class cafés and bohemian boutiques. On a recent trip to Queensland to visit my Canadian cousins, I managed to sneak in a day trip to Byron Bay. Armed with a long list of shops and eateries, we certainly made the most of the 24 hours. While you can accomplish a lot in a day in Byron, I would highly recommend a weekend trip so you can properly relax and fully immerse yourself in the beachy vibes offered up by this picture-perfect destination.

Eat/

Start the day at Folk or their little sister café, Woods Bangalow. It’s all in the name – the caravan café serves up an all-organic, vegetarian menu in beautiful outdoor setting. Try the breakfast burrito, muesli or poached eggs and avocado and wash it down with a rainbow assortment of lattes (turmeric, beetroot, spiced pepper, the list goes on…) or opt for something stronger (their espresso is also excellent). You’ll feel like this bustling spot is the place to be, surrounded by fashionable bohemians and hipsters who look like they’ve just left The Falls festival.

If you’re after margaritas and quality Mexican fare, look no further than Miss Margarita We were slightly unimpressed by the service here, but the food was yummy. Try the mango margaritas and fruity Pimm’s punch. Their fish tacos (snapper and squid) are fresh and filling, but the true standout is the mushroom and spinach quesadilla.

Other highly recommended eateries and cafes:

Top Shop: great coffee and scrumptious breakfast. If you’re here for a few days, add this one to your hit list.
Treehouse on Belongil: tapas and shared plates with an Italian theme, this is another Byron hot spot
Balcony Bar & Oyster Co: the place for a sunny afternoon tipple and people watching in Byron, Balcony Bar overlooks one of the busiest parts of the town.
Combi: excellent coffee in the cutest café, I could have easily spent all afternoon here…
Leaf and Grain: another café for another time, the breakfast burgers look out of this world and their white tiles are oh so instagrammable!
Finn Poke: Look for the pink neon sign and white interior, this poke spot has received its fair share of praise.

Shop/
Spell & The Gyspy Collective: If you need the wardrobe to match your new Byron way of life, the 10-minute walk (from the Main Street) is a must. The light-filled shop caters to the gypset crowd, stocking embroidered dresses, beautiful bikinis and lovely homewares and curiosities. There’s even an outdoor area that plays host to weekly (in the summer) and fortnightly (year-round) workshops and events. Sustainability and conscious consumption is a focus here, and the shop girls are on hand to educate and answer any questions you might have.

Miss Brown Vintage Byron Bay: Speaking of sustainable fashion – Miss Brown’s is Byron’s go-to vintage store, carrying a large assortment of denim shirts, shorts and skirts as well as beautiful dresses and leather goods. I ran out of time whilst rummaging through the racks upon racks of impeccable second-hand threads, but immediately found a handful of gems.

Tigani Lux: Everything you’ll need for a week on the beach, Tigani Lux is full of quality staples. Think gorgeous basket bags, linens staples and beautiful jewellery that you’ll want to wear every day.

Ahoy Trader: Find homewares, exclusive Australian brands and plenty of beach necessities at this cute shop off the main drag. I wanted to transport everything home with me, but unfortunately didn’t have checked luggage.

Girl Overboard: Of course, you’ll want to check out swimwear shops while you’re in Byron Bay – … has all the latest Seafolly and Maje as well as stunning cover-ups and dresses that will take you from lunch to the beach and back

These are only a small selection of many fantastic shops in Byron, wander off the main drag, to the side streets and you’ll find plenty of unique boutiques.

STAY/

We were staying in the Gold Coast, but I have my eye on the following hotels and accommodations for next time…

28 Degrees: luxury guesthouses in the heart of Byron Bay – I dream of staying here with Nick.

Atlantic Byron: four original Byron Bay cottages that have been lovingly restored. Take a look at their website and swoon…

Do/
Whatever you do, make sure you make the trek to the famous Byron lighthouse. Even better if you visit during sunrise or sunset, when the sky takes on a pink and purple hue.

If you’ve ever wanted to take up surfing but haven’t yet had the chance… Byron’s a great spot to catch a wave. We went with Let’s Go Surfing because they offered 1.5 hour courses (rather than the typical 4 hours) and the instruction was friendly and hands on. I would definitely recommend going in a small group (no more than six) especially if you’re new to surfing. Although the waves were quite huge (and can intimidate beginners)…the instructors here will make sure you’re safe.

I had really built Byron up in my mind, envisioning a small, unrushed destination filled with well-dressed hippies, gorgeous surfers and organic cafés. What I wasn’t expecting was to fall for the town’s friendliness and quiet charm. I anticipated a place that was a little too cool, but experienced quite the contrary. Every local I interacted with was friendly and welcoming, happy to have visitors invade their little slice of heaven.

January 29, 2018
7 Things I Learnt at MBFWA
I caught the tail end of MBFWA (I’m too lazy to type out the whole name…) and MBFWE (Weekend Edition). For me, fashion weeks are a time to gain insight into the industry and take notes from top bloggers and creatives. And so, I thought I would share some of the things I’ve learnt in Sydney this week(end).
1. Be nice. Australians are a friendly bunch and it’s refreshing to see photographers and media helping each other out rather than being overly competitive with one another. That said, the media riser can be chaotic.
2. Successful blogging, vlogging, YouTubing, etc. is hard work and it can take years of consistent, quality content to gain a real following.
3. On that note, consistency is key. If you follow me on any social media, you’ll know I struggle with this one. Food, fashion, landscape, I want to do it all.
4. Collaborate often with creatives you admire. It’s a fun way to create new content and support one another. Everybody wins.
5. Fashion week can be accessible and authentic. I like that Sydney included a fashion weekend as part of their event. Fashion weeks, by definition, are pretty exclusive, but there’s no reason why we can’t all get involved and appreciate the creativity that’s poured into each event.
6. Rather than trying to attend every single show, reach out to designers you admire and get tickets to their shows. Often times, these are off-site and much smaller.
7. Be confident. It’s natural to feel a little insecure when you’re surrounded by gorgeous models and journalists from The New York Times and Vogue Australia, but remember you’re here for a reason. Enjoy yourself and make real connections.
That’s all for today, folks. Next up, I’ll be sharing my favourite trends from the runways to the streets.
May 21, 2016
24 Hours in Canberra

Admittedly, I had pretty low expectations prior to visiting Australia’s capital city. With the exception of politicians, ardent museum goers, and city planners, Canberra is seldom considered a destination. However, when Nick suggested a day trip to Canberra from Southwest Sydney, I was more than happy to oblige. After all, we have somewhat unique tastes when it comes to travel.

A planned city, Canberra was built around the automobile and this is immediately evident. Not the most walkable of cities, we were armed with bicycles thanks to Little National Hotel. Navigating the city was a bit confusing at first, but eventually we found our bearings and cycled around the man-made lake and from museum to museum.

Speaking of the lake, make sure to spend an hour or two pedalling around and taking in the surrounding beauty. You’ll see plenty of cyclists, rollerbladers, runners, fishers and swans.

I highly recommend checking out the multitude of national museums, galleries, and parliament buildings. They are all educational, world-class institutions, but also an excellent way to escape the heat (it hovered over 30 degrees celsius the entire time we were there!)

If you’re pressed for time, like we were, start with the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia. We were both inspired by architecture of these buildings and the breadth of information and artwork on offer.

If you have an extra day, The National Portrait Gallery and the National War Memorial are also worth a visit!

Canberra has been stepping up its food and drink game as of late, gaining the attention of several food bloggers. One of the coolest areas for food and film is New Acton. Check out any of the eateries in this area, and you won’t be disappointed. Afterwards, stop by Courtyard Cinema for an alfresco screening. Or, if you’re looking for the best range of films, visit Palace Electric – they show foreign films, art house films, documentaries, you name it!

We indulged in two delicious breakfasts (my favourite meal of the day) during our stay. Our first meal was at A. Baker, an edgy cafe with plenty of outdoor seating and delightful seasonal dishes. I loved the industrial fit-out of this spot. Our second breakfast was at Double Shot, a bustling contemporary café with excellent coffee. I ordered an açai bowl (obviously) and devoured it instantly.

Dinner consisted of burgers at aptly-named, Grease Monkey and drinks on gastropub, Hopscotch’s leafy patio. This was easily the busiest place in town with each table packed with twenty and thirty-somethings.

While many tourists forgo Canberra for Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth, Nick and I were pleasantly surprised. Our visit to the capital was rewarding on all levels and the arts, cultural and food scenes certainly delivered.

January 29, 2016
How To Spend a Day in Surry Hills

You’ll never be wanting for things to do in Sydney. There are plenty of incredible beaches, jaw dropping sights and excellent cuisine. If you’re looking to experience a more local side of Sydney, I suggest spending a day in Surry Hills. One of the city’s hippest neighbourhoods, Surry Hills is only a short walk from Central Station. On my most recent visit, it was my first stop when given a day to roam Sydney.

Coffee is free flowing in Sydney, but in my experience, it can be hit or miss. Surry Hills has an abundance of quality cafés and I suggest you get your morning fix at Artificer Coffee. The bare bones shop isn’t the place to grab a bite to eat, but the coffee speaks for itself.

After an early morning espresso, you’ll likely be craving something a little more substantial. Hit up either Le Monde café, Chez Sun or Reuben Hills, all three serve enticing breakfast options ranging from açai bowls and smoothies to eggs benedict.

Le Monde is a local favourite, and it’s easy to see why with its assortment of delicious breakfast options (how can you possibly choose only one?) and top notch coffee. The zucchini and haloumi fritters served with a poached egg caught my eye immediately!

Photo via The Urban List

Chez Sun is a pretty terrace café that will have you reaching for your phone (gotta Instagram that lovely interior, am I right?)

Reuben Hills is a coffee roastery, so you can expect excellent coffee to complement your meal.

After breakfast, be sure to check out a few of the many stylish shops that line Crown Street. My favourite was The Standard Store, which features covetable Australian, European and US brands. The gorgeous window displays are also worth mentioning!

Workshopped classifies Australian design and garners local and international attention by supporting young emerging designers. Find innovative furniture, lighting, homewares and jewellery.

Photo via The Design Files

Although Sydney is the sunshine capital of the world (or at least that’s what I’ve heard…) there are occasionally rainy days. On those days, Golden Age Cinema and Bar has your back. This 1940s cinema is housed in the former headquarters of Paramount Pictures and has retained its art deco features.

Stay tuned for my updated Sydney guide.

January 8, 2016