Hi, as a native of that part of the world, my feeling about Byron is that it is on par with Nimbin .... Only the money in Nimbin comes from a different source, So you could say Byron is just a 5-star version of Nimbin.

I have several friends there who all holiday elsewhere during peak periods rather than contend with the tourist influx ...

.............?.

Hi again ...

don't just look at Byron, there are many small villages scattered in and around the place.

Check out Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Alstonville. Also Thursday Plantation at Ballina .... There is much to do in the region.

if you want to go further south, a great caravan park to stay at is Brooms Head .... Lots  of GNs Stay there and while you are there check out Sandon River which is part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park .... My favourite kayaking place of all time  .... Be careful of the Roos on the road from the highway to Brooms ..... Millions of them!  if you want an interesting walk,  check out the yuraygir coastal walk ... Not too strenuous but take your time even if you only walk around the headlands, it is worth it For,the view ... great shell collecting there also ... i collect for grand kids and we paint them.Roos actually frequent the whole village!  A great place.

happy exploring ..... Which van park,are you at .... I know of nothing so cheap as you have ... Although it is low season I guess 

cheers

-- Edited by chaslib on Thursday 1st of August 2013 07:54:47 PM

Yep I have always wanted to go to Byron Bay and I have finally achieved it. I will be hear until Monday morning if anyone is around.

Now for the secrets Byron holds.

Hi, as a native of that part of the world, my feeling about Byron is that it is on par with Nimbin .... Only the money in Nimbin comes from a different source, So you could say Byron is just a 5-star version of Nimbin.

I have several friends there who all holiday elsewhere during peak periods rather than contend with the tourist influx ... Like many other holiday destinations, Byron has their share of illegal parking and unpleasant littering by the holidaying public. There is increased street crime also. Make sure you lock up well.

I guess everywhere has its highs and lows ... Just steer clear of being there in holiday periods and be careful on the streets after dark.  Other than that, it is an interesting place for people watchers ..... Enjoy the experience  Dougwe ...

 Check out the sunrise from the lighthouse, that can be spectacular!

Thanks for the heads up chaslib, at first glance when I took a drive around, one word, great.

Some parts I feel like I have gone back in time to the 70's. I think this place is just what the doctor ordered, time will tell. Yes there are some interesting looking people getting about, no complaints though at this stage anyway. I feel at home and at peace here. Mmmmm that's a worry or is it the smelly stuff down a couple of spots?  

I wouldn't be surprised I even extend my stay come Monday. At $15 a night with power, why not. No bells and whistles in this park though. You will read about it in my next UPDATE. 

valnrob wrote:

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Good god you're quick Dougwe

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Quick as a flash and as fast as the wind I am valnrob. Wombat reckons I pass wind but what would he know he's a wombat.

I will have a bit of a look around tomorrow GD and give the camera a work out, that will give me a work out as well.

I will let you know in my next update GD what I get up to, if I can remember, I reckon something is in the air here from a couple of spots down.

I was told many moons back that you drive in one end and are as high as kite as you come out the other end here in Byron. I will look for that road tomorrow. 

Ok Doug, any chance of you hanging around until we can get there. We won't be too long should be here by about early Nov. I guess that would not be asking tooooo much !!!

Ay Doug, I was just be a silly bugger, I would not expect you to wait for us. On the topic of catching up we will be coming through Gippsland about early/mid Dec so would love to catch up then if you are going to be home. 

Once again sorry for playing the fool

Regards

Brian and Cheryl

I love that area, particularly around Brunswick Heads, Byron is beautiful but the traffic jam going through the place is awful and too crowded for me.

I love the NSW coast full stop I guess.

Dougwe, if you are heading further south dont forget to call in.

JC

briche wrote:

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Ay Doug, I was just be a silly bugger, I would not expect you to wait for us. On the topic of catching up we will be coming through Gippsland about early/mid Dec so would love to catch up then if you are going to be home. 

Once again sorry for playing the fool

 

Regards

Brian and Cheryl

 

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I did work out you were " Playing the fool ". So no need to apologise. A good bit of fun and foolishness on here is good for the stress levels. 

Edit....Just give me a yell when you get into my home area. 

Bill and Lesley wrote:

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jetj wrote:

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I love that area, particularly around Brunswick Heads, Byron is beautiful but the traffic jam going through the place is awful and too crowded for me.

I love the NSW coast full stop I guess.

---

 Hi Jetj,

Sorry to butt in, but we are going down the NSW coast from Qld to the border and are looking for some interesting and picturesque sites to stay. Prefer powered as we are in a bus which also takes up a fair bit of room.

Once we get to the coast from sw Qld ( about a week away) we will be traveling south.

Looks like you know the run well!

Any tips would be appreciated from yourself or any others who may help.

Cheers,

..................

Re somewhere to stay far north coast NSW ... Alstonville has camping at the show ground ..  Couple of minutes walk to shops ... Not sure of cost And not many campers there as a rule. Alstonville is central to the Hinterlands, Lismore, Ballina..... 15 mins to most places .. Byron about 20 by the highway. Summerland House at Alstonville is set in lovely surrounds and as a sheltered workshop, I believe support for these wonderful young people is worth a visit - walk through the grounds, nursery and restaurant and gift shop.

jetj wrote:

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I love that area, particularly around Brunswick Heads, Byron is beautiful but the traffic jam going through the place is awful and too crowded for me.

I love the NSW coast full stop I guess.

---

 Hi Jetj,

Sorry to butt in, but we are going down the NSW coast from Qld to the border and are looking for some interesting and picturesque sites to stay. Prefer powered as we are in a bus which also takes up a fair bit of room.

Once we get to the coast from sw Qld ( about a week away) we will be traveling south.

Looks like you know the run well!

Any tips would be appreciated from yourself or any others who may help.

Cheers,

Bill and Lesley wrote:

---

jetj wrote:

---

I love that area, particularly around Brunswick Heads, Byron is beautiful but the traffic jam going through the place is awful and too crowded for me.

I love the NSW coast full stop I guess.

---

 Hi Jetj,

Sorry to butt in, but we are going down the NSW coast from Qld to the border and are looking for some interesting and picturesque sites to stay. Prefer powered as we are in a bus which also takes up a fair bit of room.

Once we get to the coast from sw Qld ( about a week away) we will be traveling south.

Looks like you know the run well!

Any tips would be appreciated from yourself or any others who may help.

Cheers,

---

Just PM jetj, Bill and Leslie, I'm sure info will head back to you.

Hi Bill and Lesley,

I've done a few trips from Sydney to Brisbane and usually check out a few places on the way each time. I mostly try to stay in rest areas and check places out through the day.   I love South West Rocks and the Port Macquarie area, Coffs Harbour has some lovely beaches, CPs. So many nice places, some not too far from the Pacific Hway, others on side tracks that bring you out further down the Hway. The Information Centres have a free publication with the CPs and the facilities each one has, which is quite helpful.

I'm afraid I'm not a great judge of powered sites for a big rig sorry. I tend to prefer rest areas, though I have found and stayed at a few nice CPs along the coast.

I hope your trip goes well.

I almost met the famous Dougwe today - well ! - at least I saw his Avan Sportliner.

We've just spent a week at Brunswick Heads - a couple of our friends came down to join us for the weekend, but couldn't get into Brunswick as they had a Chihuahua on board their motorhome - they managed to get into the dog friendly Belongil Fields at Byron. We came down to Byron this morning to spend the day with our friends up at Bangalow. When I drove into Belongil to pick up my friends, there was the famous Avan. I went over, but there was no sign of life, so I assumed Doug was out for the day - same thing when we came back later this afternoon, still no Doug.

As Maxwell Smart would say 'missed him by that much !!!' Unfortunately we both go back to Brissie tomorrow, so won't be able to actually get to meet Doug - maybe some other time !

Regards, Brian

Dougwe wrote:

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...............................Are your friends still here Brian?................................

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 Nah, we both drove home to Brissie this morning. They were in a white/blue Talvor motorhome right down the back of the park and two rows across from your van.

Regards, Brian