Our resident travel angel Gigi from @_itsbeautifulhere is back, broadening our horizons, and getting our daily dream on. Over to Gigi...
Beyond Byron Byron Bay has forever been my happy place; for always. And I still love to escape there at least every month or so. But its getting busy. Really busy. So I seem to find myself spending more and more time in its beautiful and carefree seaside neighbour, Brunswick Heads. Only 15mins up the road, the sleepy little town of 'Bruns' is your quintessential Aussie beach holiday destination. There is so much to do. So many lovely locals to meet. And so many chilled vibes. Here are a few of my favourite ways to spend some long sunny days in the Bruns.
To caffeinate. Start every day with a delicious Allpress coffee from the best chicks in town - Sarah and Lyndsay - at Jones & Co Counter. Not only is their coffee the best, you will also find croissants by Scratch Patisserie, fresh flowers by Braer Studio, the cutest cards a la 'The Adventures Of', ceramic mugs from Sit Still Lauren, and so much more. We love it here. Other good spots to grab your caffeine brew: Table View, Homegrown Brunswick Heads.
To eat. Table View: for good coffee, healthy breakfasts and lunch. Milk Bar Brunswick Heads: for juices and smoothies Yami: for awesomely authentic falafel and salads. Fleet: for my favorite restaurant in Australia (true story). This tiny little diner is one of the friendliest places you will ever encounter in your life. A small restaurant (seating only 22), masquerading as a bar, it is so very beautiful here. Grab a seat at the bar, or sit in the window, and settle in for a few hours of pure joy. Being so hard to get into, and also hard to reach via phone or email, we recommend turning up in person at 3pm when they open to see if there are any cancellations for that same evening or the following day. You might just find you’re inluck. And boy, will you lucky!
To drink. Fleet: you don't necessarily have to stay for lunch or dinner, if you go early afternoon, you might be able to grab a seat at the outside table for a lazy aperitif before heading somewhere else. We recommend Rob's negroni. Hotel Brunswick: this classic Aussie pub is a serious Bruns institution, known as having some of the best Sunday sessions in Australia.
To do. River stuff: With a wide river running through the heart of town, you can fish, kayak, and standup paddle board here to your hearts content. Bridge jump: A Bruns rite of passage, you are not a true Bruns local apparently until you have jumped off the bridge (near Torakina reserve) at high tide. Torakina Beach: A friendly little beach cove that is perfect for families and only meters from the surf beach. Surf/swim/jog/walk in the Pacific Ocean - the entrance to which is just past Torakina. Mullumbimby Farmers Market: Another one of our favorite things in Australia - not in Bruns, but in nearby Mullumbimby - this weekly market (on Friday from 7-11am) is full of life and color and love. The most beautiful setting under a huge canopy of trees, live music, fresh produce and amazing food stalls. Don't miss the cauliflower and parsley omelette from the Nomadic Kitchen. And if the Doma food stall happens to be there, don't leave without trying a few of their brown rice sushi hand tools - next level goodness.
To shop: Sunshine Trader: is a gorgeous little haven for clothes, cute cards, ceramics, books and other bits and pieces. Homegrown Brunswick Heads: for gourmet take home meals and salads, cakes and coffee, and most importantly, for the Church Farm General Store products. Brunswick Head Health Food Store: we love it here for their healthy snacks and drinks, and for a lunch on the run (try the absolutely insanely good Byron Bay pies and energy rolls (like a vegetarian sausage roll). To sleep: Sails Motel. A fresh lick of paint, and a quick revamp, and this 22-room old-school motor inn is once again ready for business. Its perfect location and simple rooms make it the best spot to stay while in Bruns. Seriously friendly owners and a cute little swimming pool, we love it here.
