Discover the Enchantment of Byron Bay

For anyone travelling to Australia, usually Byron Bay is at the top of the list of places to visit. This hippy town has enchanted visitors, hippy or not, for generations. It is hard to explain, but one usually feels immediately relaxed on arrival. With chain establishments few and far between, “Byron” (as the locals say) has an identity of its own. I usually visit for a few days at least once a year, as Byron often gives me a bit of a recharge. I have my go-to favourites, but on my most recent trip I discovered a few more places worth exploring.Stay
The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa: I’ve mentioned my love for this resort before, but it deserves another mention. Located a bit out-of-town, this is the ultimate spot for relaxation.
The Atlantic Byron Bay: A perfectly designed guesthouse in the centre of Byron Bay.
See and Do
Beaches
Byron’s beaches are probably the best aspect about this small town. With a handful of beaches, you can visit a different beach each day. Check out Belongil Beach, The Wreck, Main Beach, Clarkes Beach, The Pass, Watego’s Beach, Cosy Corner, and Tallow Beach, all have their own special quality.
Water Sports
Where there are beaches, there are water sports. You can try anything from surfing and stand up paddle boarding to kayaking and scuba diving.
Cape Byron Walk
Starting at Captain Cook’s Lookout near Clarkes Beach, this 3.7 km loop takes you along Australia’s most easterly point. It’s perfect for spotting whales and dolphins, along with basking in Cape Byron Lighthouse.Shopping
Believe it or not, Byron is known for amazing shopping. The many boutiques stock brands and pieces hard to come by anywhere else in Australia. Additionally, many famous Australian designers got their start in Byron, like Spell and Tallow.
Surrounds
Though Byron offers more than enough for a relaxing vacation, you’ll be tempted by the beautiful hinterland surrounding the town. It is worth driving the country roads and grabbing a bite to eat in Newrybar, Bangalow, and Federal.
Markets
Dependent on your timing, you might be able to catch the Byron Bay Market, during the first Sunday of the month, or the Bangalow Market, during the fourth Sunday of the month, for artisan creations and yummy food.
Eat
Top Shop: This cute café serves their own freshly bottled juice, along with my favourite berry bowl!
Mokha: A café overlooking the main strip for a classic breakfast and good smoothies.
Orgasmic Food Byron Bay: A hole in the wall Egyptian café, serving the best Egyptian falafel.
Beloporto Burgers: Another hole in the wall for quick fix burgers with all the fixings.
Byron Fresh: This cute café close to Main Beach is perfect for people watching while enjoying good food and drinks.
The Balcony: A Byron institution, enjoyed best during happy hour.
Asia Joes: This little Asian fusion restaurant is fun, especially with your own BYOB of wine.
Italian at the Pacific: This is my favourite restaurant in Byron, serving great Italian food in a lovely setting.
St Elmo: A nice wine bar specialising in Spanish tapas.
Miss Margarita: This Mexican cantina has quickly become a Byron institution.
Harvest (Newrybar): This restaurant is the perfect treat for a local lunch.
Town (Bangalow): A cute café best enjoyed on the back patio.
Doma (Federal): I can’t help but wonder what a Japanese café is doing in the middle of the Australian hinterland. Though I’m happy I discovered this anomaly.Go
Located just south of the Gold Coast, Byron Bay is a two-hour drive from Brisbane. Alternatively, flights operate from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport to Sydney and Melbourne.

A Guide to my Favourite Australian City, Melbourne

I take any chance I can get to visit one of my favourite cities, Melbourne. Every now and again Alex will have some business in Melbourne and I’ll fly down to make a long weekend of it. I’ve visited this city enough in the past three years to feel somewhat like a local. Well, it’s also encouraging that the locals make you feel like one of them. I revisit my favourite cafes and restaurants, along with exploring familiar laneways. But during my most recent trip, with my travel blogger hat on, I did some research, asked around, and found some new establishments, along with local favourites. Here’s my guide to my favourite Australian city, Melbourne.
Stay
Punthill Apartment Hotels: With three prime locations within the city centre, these reasonably priced contemporary apartments are perfect for any stay in Melbourne.
Adelphi Hotel: For the ultimate boutique hotel experience in the centre of Melbourne.
See and Do
Laneways
Melbourne and laneways are synonymous. I could wander the laneways for days, and I usually do when I visit. I always frequent Degraves Street for a particular Canadian breakfast (though I haven’t encountered this breakfast in Canada), eventually working my way northeast, discovering new cafes and boutiques along the way.
Carlton Gardens and Melbourne Museum
North of the laneways, you’ll find Carlton Gardens and the Melbourne Museum. The gardens surround the famous Royal Exhibition Building, a hallmark of Victorian architecture, and the contemporary Melbourne Museum. This is one of my favourite museums in Australia, with the best animal exhibition I’ve seen.
Fitzroy
Just northeast of the Museum, you’ll find the trendy area of Fitzroy. Wander up and down Brunswick Street for cafes, restaurants, and even rooftop bars.Queen Victoria Markets and South Melbourne Markets
No trip to Melbourne is complete without visiting these markets, at either end of the city centre. These historical 19^th century landmarks cater for all your shopping needs, from produce to home wares. But my favourite is the night markets, occurring one night a week during the summer, serving any food imaginable that is thoroughly enjoyed with some sangria!
St Kilda
A quick tram ride from the city centre will drop you off at Melbourne’s famous beach community. Though the beach here struggles to rival other famous Australian beaches, a walk along St Kilda Pier is worth it to see some penguins and seals. From here, head to Acland Street for pastry shops galore. Pace yourself, you’ll want to try a pastry from the dozen or so shops.
Chapel Street
This street in South Yarra has always been my go-to shopping destination. With a classic high street feel, you’ll find brand name shops amongst boutiques and cafes.Shopping
Speaking of shopping, I was happy when a local friend of mine informed me of Melbourne latest and greatest shopping centre, the Emporium, just north of Bourke Street in the city centre. It’s probably the best shopping centre I’ve visited, with every shop imaginable, and a food court that almost seems refined.
Nightlife
There’s even more to discover when the sun goes down. My best advice would be to get the Broadsheet App and bar hop the secret bars listed, trying a cocktail at each one. You might feel lost trying to find a bar down a dingy laneway, but trust me it’s all part of the experience to find that one door with the smallest of signs that opens to a world of fun.
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia, particularly the Australian Football League (AFL aka Aussie Rules) capital. If sport is your thing, try to catch an AFL game or cricket match at the MCG. I’ve been dragged to this stadium more times than I would like, but a sporting arena with the capacity of over 100, 000 is a sight to be seen.Eat
Industry Beans: Hipster coffee central, serving yummy food and tea as well, in an industrial setting off of Brunswick Street.
Journal Canteen: Tucked away off Flinders Lane overlooking Degraves Street, this rustic café offers daily specials with a home cooked feel.
Oriental Tea House: I’ll never forget the Sunday morning my mom went ballistic for dim sum here, a perfect start for shopping on Chapel Street.
Little Creatures Dining Hall: For good craft beer and classic bar food in the heart of Fitzroy.
Chin Chin: Serving Asian fusion, this restaurant is the hottest ticket in town. One catch, no reservations, so you’ll have to wait an hour in their basement bar, which isn’t so bad with cocktails as good as their food.
Hutong Dumpling Bar: Known to serve the best dumplings in town, this establishment is perfect for late night laneway bites.
Florentino Grill: This is a recent discovery of mine, even though it is the oldest restaurant in Melbourne, on Bourke Street. Alex enjoyed dinner here twice in one week, taking me back after his first time here with colleagues. I was warned to prepare myself during the day for the epic 5 courses to come. This Melbourne institution is the best for Italian fine dining.
Ombra: Next-door, included in Grossi’s food empire, you’ll find this salumi bar, perfect for pre dinner snacks and drinks.
Drink
Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar: Just down the street from Grossi’s establishments, you’ll find another local institution for some of the best coffee in town.
Naked for Satan: There are some great rooftop bars in Melbourne and this is no exception. On Brunswick Street, it offers great views of city along with great drinks.
Double Happiness: No trip to Melbourne is complete without a trip to this tiny bar. Nestled in a laneway, the cocktails are enjoyed among Chinese communist propaganda décor.
Eau de Vie: For the best cocktail experience in Melbourne, this bar is hidden down another laneway.
Berlin Bar: And the hidden laneway bar tour continues to this unique experience. Half of the bar is themed as East Berlin and the other half as West Berlin. Your overall experience depends on where you’re seated.
Go
Melbourne is one of Australia’s largest hubs, easily accessible by many international airlines. Once in Melbourne, it is best to stay in the city centre, as most attractions are within walking distance from here. Alternatively, trams and trains can take you to the surrounding suburbs, but sometimes taxis are cheaper and easier for most visitors.

5 Things to See and Do in Coffs Harbour

While living in Australia, I strive to see as much as I can in the definite time I have here. My Australian boyfriend often remarks that I’ve seen more than him. My recent trip to Coffs Harbour was one such incident. I’m lucky that my housemate during my study abroad semester in Brisbane EIGHT YEARS AGO (I can’t believe how old we’re getting) is a Coffs Harbour local, and invited our other housemate and I down to “Coffs” (as the locals say) for a long weekend. I’m also very lucky to still call these women friends, which goes to show you good friendships last despite time and location. It was my first time to Coffs, and I honestly felt like a kid in a candy store. I was impressed with the beauty around me, along with so much to do! You’ll want to add Coffs Harbour to your itinerary while exploring the East Coast of Australia after reading this.
See and Do
Jetty
This is the centre of activity in Coffs. Not only does the Jetty itself offer a nice walk around the harbour, but also expansive views that will make all your Instagram followers jealous. You’ll find a few eateries around the Jetty, along with the Sunday market, and the beach is perfect for cooling off in the summer heat.
Muttonbird Island
One morning we laced up our runners and challenged ourselves to walk Muttonbird Island. It essentially looks like a large hump at the end of the Jetty. With one paved path running from one end of the Island to the other, when there’s an up, there’s always a down. The struggle uphill was worth it for the view at the end of the path. And depending what time of year you visit, you might see baby muttonbirds nesting along the path.
Sawtell
This town located next to Coffs Harbour is a favourite among many locals, with a cute main road just blocks away from the beautiful beach. We often stopped here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, only to walk off our full bellies along the beach.
Bellingen
I’ve never been to a small town like this one before. My art history nerdy side came out as I marvelled at the architecture of the various buildings lining the main road. Perfectly intermixed among some of Australia’s oldest shop fronts, you’ll find art deco, as well as mid-century modern buildings. My favourite was the Hammond & Wheatley shop, but the scenic 20 minute drive through the hinterland was enough to make we want to return.
Never Never Creek in the Promised Land
The locals might be upset that I’m sharing this secret spot of theirs, so proceed with caution. The location lives up to the name. Take a 15-minute drive from Bellingen and be transported into a land only thought to exist in fairy tales. That’s all I’ll say, you’ll have to see it for yourself.
Eat
Old John’s (Coffs Harbour): Located just down the road from the Jetty, good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I particularly like their wall of doors!
Latitude 30 (Coffs Harbour): Go here for the best view from the Jetty at sunset with a few drinks and nibblies in hand.
Café TREEO (Sawtell): A local favourite for breakfast, making us return for more!
Sea Salt Fish & Chips (Sawtell): Another local favourite, serving Australia’s version of fish and chips. Trust me it’s good!
Franks Bar and Restaurant (Sawtell): A art deco inspired diner, best for sharing pizza and sangria.
5 Church Street (Bellingen): An eclectic establishment known for live music, and yummy food and drinks.
Go
Coffs Harbour is located about half way between Sydney and Brisbane on the East Coast of Australia, about five hours drive in either direction, making this an ideal overnight or two stop on an East Coast road trip. Alternatively, Coffs Harbour Airport operates a few flights daily to Sydney and Melbourne.

Where Wine Meets the Ocean in Margaret River

When my boyfriend and I realised we weren’t having a white Christmas in Canada this past year, Alex suggested a trip to a more moderate weather destination in Australia instead (we were over Brisbane’s heat). Margaret River immediately came to his mind, as the one place in the Australia to experience everything this country has to offer: wine, food, beaches, hikes, etc.. When Alex and I started dating, he mentioned Margaret River as his favourite place in Australia; having not been to Western Australia then myself, I was curious why out of all the places he’s visited in Australia this was his favourite. He explained that Margaret River is where one of Australia’s premier wine regions meets one of Australia’s premier coasts. So with no questions asked, we were off to Margaret River for Christmas. Enough rambling, the following will explain more than enough and probably convince you to book your next trip to Western Australia.
Stay
Redgate Beach Escape: I was lucky that my mother in law researched accommodation a few years ago during a short trip of hers to Margaret River, so I immediately knew the best place to stay (judging from her photos). Everyday, I couldn’t believe the sight we were overlooking. It seemed like I was staring into my favourite painting. The view alone is worth every penny (which is not as much as you would think), but the accommodation itself was perfect for us three. We knew it would be hard to eat out during the Christmas holidays, so we took advantage of the fully equipped kitchen and cooked up a few feasts during our stay. In addition, its location at the south end of the wine region was perfect for hitting as many wineries as we could fit into a day and visiting some additional sites south of us. See and Do
Wine Tasting
Margaret River is probably the most unique wine region I’ve visited. It stretches 100 km along the coast and is only 27 km wide, sitting atop limestone caverns. I suggest booking a tour for the first day, just to get an idea of the region. We went on the Wine for Dudes Daily Tour, which offered a taste of the smaller wineries, along with a great balance of activities, from wine tasting and blending to food and beer. With door to door service and constant suggestions about more wineries and restaurants to visit, we couldn’t complain. Here are a few wineries worth checking out.
Flametree Wines: Upon entry, view the tree after which this winery gets its name. The cellar door is like a house from the Hampton’s, but the best part is the dessert wines.
House of Cards: This relatively new winery not only offers cheeky marketing with cool labels, but also vintages worth cellaring for years to come. Its cute boutique inside and the chocolate shop next door is an added bonus.
Hay Shed Hill: By far, this winery has the most selection of wines I’ve come across, which made tasting a bit of a marathon. But the vast selection of wines is only made better by the yummy restaurant on site.
Cullen Wines: This is one of Australia’s most famous wineries. With a traditional cellar door and full-bodied wines, it’s worth stopping by.
Howard Park MadFish: My new favourite winery! I liked every wine I tasted here, especially the sparkling wines. And the cellar door reminded me of wineries in Canada’s Niagara region.
Edwards Wines: A winery with a beautiful family history. This small winery offers great boutique wines in an intimate setting. The lawn games out back make you feel like part of the family enjoying a nice day.
Voyager Estate: Another one of Australia’s most famous wines, this cellar door is all about luxury. Modelled after a South African ranch house, you can sip wine, enjoy fine dining, or explore the grounds all day.
Leeuwin Estate: We chose this winery for our one fine dining experience during our trip and the food lived up to all the recommendations we received. Again, another famous winery, and because of that it was unfortunately busy with poor service.
Beaches
Redgate Beach: A secluded beach with beautiful varying landscape at the southern edge of the wine region. The rough water here has a permanent rip that is dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Be warned, so it’s best to walk along the main beach and swim in the protected rock pools (that made me feel like the mermaids in Peter Pan).
Hamelin Bay: Located south of the wine region, this beach not only offers expansive beach and calm water, but also the opportunity to touch wild stingrays. This was one of the highlights of my trip; as I first saw a large round shadow slowly creep toward me in the shallows, only to stop at my feet for food. At first, it was terrifying (some of the rays were bigger than me, note the above photo), but after a few tries I easily pet a handful of stingrays. The stingrays frequent the boat ramp, looking for scraps from the local fishermen. If you’re lucky, a fisherman might give you some scraps to feed to the stingrays. Just be aware of their stingers, which came out when a few got anxious for food, almost beaching themselves (like the one above).
Caves
Here’s a quick geology lesson, limestone + water = caves! This is the case in Margaret River with an assortment of caves south of the wine region. When my geologist boyfriend suggested touring some caves, I pictured something like a caveman’s home. How wrong I was, the $20 entry fee was well worth it!
Mammoth Cave: We visited this cave since it was the closest and offered self guided tours. Both my mother in law and I were injured, so an easy tour seemed best. This surpassed all expectations; I should have known with a name like “Mammoth”, it was huge! The cool temperature inside and vast stalagmites/stalactites displays made me not want to leave.
Jewel Cave: Our wine tour guide recommended this cave, as it is the biggest tourist cave in Western Australia. I have a feeling it puts Mammoth Cave to shame. So if you’re a bit more mobile, head down to this cave for a guided tour of its four massive chambers.
Eat
As I mentioned earlier, we ate in most days. There are grocery stores, along with any other shops you might need in Margaret River and other towns in the region. But if you don’t feel like cooking up a storm, these restaurants are worth trying.
Wills Domain: A fellow Canadian expat recommended this restaurant to me, who insisted this was her favourite stop in Margaret River. Unfortunately we ran out of time to visit, as the restaurant is only open for lunch, serving a tasting menu.
Olio Bello: The region is also perfect for growing olives, so it is no wonder you’ll find Australia’s best olive oil here. Try their many organic extra virgin olive oils, gourmet condiments, and beauty products.
La Scarpetta Trattoria: Another recommendation from our wine tour guide, this restaurant is known for the best Italian food in town. Located in a heritage-listed guesthouse, the food and atmosphere are perfect!
Voyager Estate: As mentioned before, this is the ultimate for fine dining in Margaret River.
Leeuwin Estate: Refer to winery recommendations above.
Go
Getting to Margaret River is a bit of a trek, but well worth it. It is easy to fly to Perth from any of Australia’s hubs. From here it is easiest to rent a car at the airport and drive three hours south to Margaret River. It is a relatively easy drive along one highway, but it is good to take a break in Busselton and see the famous Jetty. While in Margaret River, getting around by car is easiest, so pick a designated driver for each day.

The Perfect Taste of Tasmania in Hobart

A little while ago I brought you along on my journey around Tasmania and I promised you more from this epic Australian state. Well I’ve kept my promise and want to share with you everything there is to know about travelling around Tasmania’s capital, Hobart. Not only is Hobart itself a great little city to explore, but also, its central location along the Southern Coast offers access to some of the world’s most beautiful places, and trust me, I’m not exaggerating.
Stay
The Henry Jones Art Hotel: This boutique hotel is an attraction in itself. Originally a successful 19^th century jam factory overlooking Hobart’s harbour, it was transformed into a tasteful, modern space, which blends world-renowned art with luxury accommodation, definitely worth the splurge.
See and Do in Hobart
Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
MONA and Hobart have become synonymous since MONA first opened in 2011. It is the largest private museum in Australia and houses the largest private art collection in the Southern Hemisphere, courtesy of David Walsh. From antiquities to modern art and everything in between, your senses will overload as you creep through the labyrinth of galleries buried in the cliffs of Berriedale peninsula. I’ll try not to get too museum geeky, but this progressive museum exposes us to what museums will be like in the future. An experience to say the least, even if art isn’t your thing. The easiest way to get here is by the MR-1 Fast Ferry from the Hobart’s harbour, a 30-minute journey for $20 return. Salamanca Market
This is one of Australia’s most famous markets. Every Saturday 300 stalls line the historic, Salamanca Place, overlooking Hobart’s harbour. Here you’ll find mostly local artisans and antiques, along with a few food and produce vendors. It’s definitely worth planning your schedule around this market. Cascade Brewery
Take a short drive to South Hobart and tour around Australia’s oldest brewery, founded in 1831 on the banks of the Hobart Rivulet. Not only is the beer good and the history rich, but the bar itself, nestled under Mount Wellington, is a beautiful setting for patio drinks on a sunny day.
See and Do Surrounding Hobart
I think this is the best aspect of Hobart, natural beauty and rich history at your fingertips, all within an hour drive of Hobart. Richmond
A 30-minute drive northeast of Hobart, you’ll find this historic town full of charm on the Coal River. Grab an Australia meat pie from the famous Richmond Bakery and wander down to the banks of the Coal River to see Australia’s oldest bridge still in use. It’s hard to take a bad photo in this town when antique shops, museums, and tea rooms occupy 19^th century buildings. And on the way, visit one of my favourite Australian vineyards, Frogmore Creek Winery, to try their premium selection of Coal Valley wines. Bruny Island
Located within an hour drive southwest of Hobart, load your car on the ferry from Kettering, to explore this majestic island for the day. This island has a bit of everything, gourmet food, beautiful beaches, and epic bushwalks. It’s fun to drive around, explore the rugged coast, and visit the cheeseries along the way. Speaking of cheese, take a 10 minute detour past Kettering to try my favourite cheese from the source at Grandvewe Cheeses. Specialising in sheep cheese products, you can’t go wrong with their award-winning Sapphire Blue. Port Arthur
Like I said in this post, there are a lot of spots worth checking out along the way, but the historic site of Port Arthur is a great day trip to familiarise yourself with Australia’s convict history.
Eat
Surprisingly, this small city at the edge of Australia is a foodie’s dream come true, as most produce is locally grown and restaurants pioneer truly unique dining experiences.
Pilgrim Coffee: The best coffee in Hobart.
Pollen Tea Room: If coffee isn’t your thing (like me), this cute spot serves it’s own loose-leaf teas and gourmet hot chocolates.
Machine Laundry Café: Yes it’s a café inside a laundromat, but it’s not what you think, serving some of the best breakfasts in town amongst retro furnishings.
Pigeon Hole: Another great breakfast spot, with an ever-changing menu, using seasonal, local produce.
Daci & Daci Bakers: A great bakery for breakfast or lunch with Ottolenghi vibes.
Mures Lower Deck: While in Tasmania you must try fresh, local seafood, so head here to get classic seafood meals.
Sweet Envy: The best place to find sweets of any kind, so much so they’ve released their own cookbook.
Jam Jar Lounge Café: Located atop Battery Point, this lounge is inviting with a mix of Japanese tapas and Australian wine in a jazz setting.
Small-fry: This is my sister in law’s favourite restaurant, as they’ve redefined the dining experience, serving unique food in an intimate setting with the chef and barista creating in front of you and a handful of other people. They’re famous for their doughnuts, along with providing an immersive dining experience. For example, some dishes are served with an iPad full of classic cartoons for you to scan through while you enjoy your meal.
Ristorante Da Angelo: For the best Italian in town head to this classic eatery.
Capital: The new kid on the block, which is quickly becoming the go-to restaurant in Hobart.  The space was once Marti Zucco’s restaurant, one of the first restaurants in North Hobart. It has since been converted into an industrial style with a lot of non traditional Italian dishes, including three cheese beet root gnocchi, yum.
Ethos Eat Drink: Like everything else in Hobart, this restaurant is full of history, in the converted stable yard and carriageway of the Old Hobart Hotel. Come here for the modern set menu and wine pairing from Sommelier, Alice Chugg.
Garagistes: Ranked as the best fine dining restaurant in Hobart, this unique, industrial style restaurant serves modern Japanese, using local wagyu beef among other delicacies.
Preachers: A cute little pub with outdoor seating on picnic tables, bean bags, or a bus.
Go
Like I said in this post, it’s easy to fly to Hobart from Australia’s hubs. On arrival, I suggest renting a car to easily access Hobart’s beautiful surrounds. But once in Hobart itself, most places are easy to walk to, especially around the harbour, Salamanca, and Battery Point.
Capital photo by Graziano Di Martino and for source click on photo/link.