AustralianGourmetTraveller-June2018

NSW

THE BYRON AT BYRON RESORT & SPA

Look at that male: the pale buf chest and silky white underparts. And does

that one sound just like a crying baby? This being a resort built in 18 hectares

of rainforest, it’s tempting to reach for the in-house bird guide when you’re

describing the poolside wildlife, spangled drongos and all. What makes

The Byron at Byron special is its immersion in nature, despite being just five

minutes’ drive from town. The careful screening of the modern, boxy pavilions

lets the frogsong,surf rumble and fresh air in but keeps the mozzies at bay. The

styling is crisply contemporary, from the paintings by Minnie Pwerle and Julian

Meagher to thewelcome Byron touches (locally blended teas, guided meditation).

77-97 Broken Head Rd, Byron Bay, (02) 6639 2000, thebyronatbyron.com.au

We love the nature, whether it’s

enjoyed from the thoroughly

screened porches or from the winding

boardwalks right in the rainforest,

under the canopy amid Bangalow

Palms, egrets and lily ponds.

The self-guided meditation

track through the wetland is

entrancing, even if the quotes posted

along the way sometimes inspire

giggles rather than transcendence.

Sydney chef Matt Kemp is now

executive chef, overseeing

menus that run to the likes of local

jumbo prawns with shaved cabbage,

fried shallot and lime, and grilled Cape

Byron sirloin with Café de Paris butter,

watercress and frites. Go herbal at

breakfast with tahini balls and fruit,

or opt for the full bacon and hash

browns indulgence.

Hit happy hour by the pool for

wine at a friendly $7 a glass,

local Stone & Wood lager at $6 and

cocktail specials, or choose from

a substantial wellness ofering

from the Byron Bay Tea Company.

WHEREFiveminutes’

drive south of Byron

Bay.COSTFrom $360,

without breakfast.AT

A GLANCE92 suites;

bar, restaurant, pool,

day spa, gym, sauna,

steam room, free bike

hire, tennis court, free

parking.IN ROOMFree

WiFi, balcony, some

baths, cofee machine,

kitchenette, washer-

dryer, walk-in wardrobe,

Biology and Sanctum

toiletries.BEST ROOMS

Deluxe spa suites are

located the deepest into

the rainforest, further

from the road, the main

building and the pool,

and the closest to the

walking track leading

to Tallows Beach.

Adults’ pool.

The Byron at Byron

Restaurant.

ELEMENTS OF BYRON

Elements takes in a vast carpark,

203 villas, two pools and a lagoon.

But if that makes it sound like a

glammed-up caravan park, take heart.

It’s popular with groups and families,

but realised with enough care to keep

things feeling smart, from smiling service

to direct access to Belongil Beach. (The

only actual caravan on the premises,

at the beach bar, dispenses green juice

and craft beer.) The rooms are airy,

with timber floors, kind lighting and

mod-cons in the form of Bose speakers,

and an iPad compendium that actually

works. Add rainforest walks, a genuinely

fun adults-only pool (swim-up tequila

bar!) and the odd wallaby on the beach

and Elements proves that sprawling

can still be special.144 Bayshore

Dr, Byron Bay, (02) 6639 1500,

elementsoyron.com.au

We love the total absence of

naf collateral in the rooms.

It’s a small touch that goes a long

way to making it welcoming.

Join a free yoga class at first

light (okay, 7am) on the bay.

Touches that make breakfast an

unexpected cut above include

loaves from local heroes Bread Social,

the ofer of avocado toast, fine leaf

tea, and (praise be!) decent-sized

mugs for a serious cuppa. At lunch and

dinner hit Graze, the lobby restaurant

for Mediterraneanish dishes given

local flavour with eggs from Scrubby

Gully, tomatoes from Coopers Shoot

and Nimbin Valley cheese.

Swim-up tequila bar! Swim-up

tequila bar! It’s adults-only and

serves tacos (prawn and chilli; brisket

braised in Tecate) around the cabanas

and swing-chairs to boot. If that sounds

too exciting, there’s family-friendly fun

by the fire pit, and the minibars are

stocked with enough Byron gin and

beer (and Bufalo Trace) to make a

night in just as enticing.

WHEREBelongilBeach, a 15-minute drive from Byron Bay.COSTFrom $355, without breakfast.AT A GLANCE203 villas;

bars, restaurant, café, pools, day spa, gym, tennis court, free parking.IN ROOMFree WiFi, Bose sound system, cofee

machine, bath, some balconies, kitchenette, Appelles toiletries.BEST ROOMSFor beach access, the beachside villas are

the go; for space, the Luxury Villas fronting the eucalypt forest have screened decks with fireplaces.

166 GOURMET TRAVELLER

PHOTOGRAPHY MICHAEL WEE (THE BYRON AT BYRON)