Departures - In My Element

Byron Bay isn’t what it used to be. Yeah, yeah, you get the picture. But before your eyes glaze over, know this: beyond the hordes of hippies, surf-bros and sunburned backpackers lies Australia’s wellness capital. Yup, what this bustling beachside vacay destination lacks in quiet coastal charm, it makes up for with healthy eats, epic eco-initiatives and adrenaline-fuelled activities that will have you running to get to the Northern Rivers

- Ron Bay

Paradise exists, folks. It’s right here, at the base of Minyon Falls in the Nightcap National Park. Just a 45-minute drive from the centre of town, along the endlessly winding roads and rolling hills of the hinterland, this natural swimming hole is loved by tourists and locals alike. And, after spending the arvo sunning my buns and marvelling at the 100m-high cliff-face above me (which, btw, used to be part of one of the world’s largest extinct volcanos), I fully understand why. There’s no chance of keeping an experience like this a secret. It’s been close to 48 hours since I touched down on the shores of the shire. My first port of call? A feast at The Farm. What was once a dilapidated 30-ha cattle station is now a one-stop shop for organic wine and seasonal produce that’s as fresh and nourishing as it is delicious. I wander through the rows of green paddocks – dodging chooks and a drove of tiny piglets – before sitting down for my meal (grilled zucchini, roast spuds . . .and choccie ganache for the win). In welcome news for my insatiable appetite, the serving sizes are huge and, predictably, I’m soon ready for a kip. I check myself into Elements of Byron, where, in my eco-awardwinning villa set among the sand dunes, I find myself nodding off to the sound of waves crashing over Belongil Beach.

RISE AND DINE