Month: July 2016

Travel

Harvest Cafe, Newrybar

The hinterland of Byron Bay is stunning. You could wander for hours, stumbling upon gorgeous little towns, roadside fruit stalls & organic farms.

On your journey you will come across trendy little Newrybar, a quaint town about 10 mins from Byron. Newrybar itself has grown into a must-do when visiting the Far North Coast, with Harvest Cafe really putting it on the map.

Whether its a coffee & freshly baked pasty for breakfast, a long lazy lunch with loved ones or a romantic dinner date, they have you covered. Unlike many places in Byron Bay, this is loved equally by locals & visitors alike, so there is always a great mix & feel to the place.

My hint, visit in the morning to soak in the sunlight & sit among sunflowers. From 8am – sold out the old bakery sells freshly baked croissants & other treats. This is priority! Run don’t walk.

Treat yourself to layer upon layer of deliciousness. Exposed brick, fluffy croissants & All Press coffee.

The revamped queenslander & old bakery sit happily among jacaranda trees & rolling hills. You may feel like you have been transported in time. But you’ll like it, trust me.

xxxx

Travel

A foodies guide to Byron Bay

Post author By ableinfo
Post date July 11, 2016
1 Comment on A foodies guide to Byron Bay

I’m a serious foodie. Always have been & always will be. I believe in the power of food to nourish & heal you & on the flip side, I believe in its ability to damage you when not invested in properly.

The East Coast of Australia is blessed with local, seasonal produce, so you can expect changing menus, fun creations & old favs.

The food scene in the Far North Coast of NSW has been reborn, with so many great places to dig in.

If you are hungry by the end of this. I have done my job!

Harvest Cafe, Newrybar

The hinterland of Byron Bay is stunning. You could wander for hours, stumbling upon gorgeous little towns, roadside fruit stalls & organic farms.

On your journey you will come across trendy little Newrybar, a quaint town about 10 mins from Byron. Whether its a coffee & freshly baked pasty for breakfast, a long lazy lunch with loved ones or a romantic dinner date, they have you covered. Unlike many places in Byron Bay, this is loved equally by locals & visitors alike, so there is always a great mix & feel to the place.

Hint: Visit in the morning to soak in the sunlight & sit among sunflowers. From 7am – sold out the old bakery sells freshly baked croissants & other treats. This is priority! Run don’t walk.

Bayleaf

Because everyone needs a strong coffee in the morning!

Bayleaf does beautiful seasonal food & you wont go hungry. They have delicious daily specials like shitake wakame dashi broth with beetroot soba noodles, asian mushroom, kale, black rice & house made spicy kimchi. UM YES! They also have an all day menu, so breakfast for lunch anyone?

This is my fav brekkie item. Falafel cucumber & homemade yogurt.

The Bread Social

Because everyone loves carbs…

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The Bread Social is made up of local baking legends Tom Scott, Sam Saulwick and Paul Giddings, who together bake everything from organic sourdoughs to delish pastries. DROOOOOOOL. You can find the Bread Social at ‘The Farm’ (more on this below).

Hint: Grab some freshly baked goodies & local produce & picnic under the macadamia trees at The Farm.

The Farm, Byron Bay

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The Farm is actually a farm. They harvest everything from fruit & veg to meat. Essentially it’s about as farm-to-plate as you can get in these parts.

The Farm was born in Bondi, Sydney & came to Byron just recently. Its a gorgeous spot that will remind you of how important being part of the ethical food cycle is. You can cruise around & see where your food comes from, chat to the local cows & just enjoy the sun. I recommend Three Blue Ducks for lunch, The Farms restaurant, or indulge in an afternoon picnic. There is a produce store where you can pick up local cheeses, meats & other bits & pieces. So just BYO picnic rug & grab a bottle of wine from the restaurant & you are SORTED! There is also live music on a Sunday afternoon, so grab a drink & enjoy the view.

Its hearty food made with love & you will dig it!

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Top 10 Wanderlust Destinations

Post author By ableinfo
Post date July 11, 2016
No Comments on Top 10 Wanderlust Destinations

Belize

Belize is without a doubt the most beautiful country I’ve ever visited.

With its palm fringed coast line, Rastafarian roots & coral reef, its got a serious tropical vibe. Belize has the second largest Barrier Reef system in the world (number 1 of course is Australia’s ‘Great Barrier Reef’). The protected reef provides calm turquoise waters to the many islands dotted throughout the region.

Do yourself a favour & sail from Caye Caulker to Placencia with Ragamuffin Tours, sleeping on tiny islands like Ambergis Caye, Rendezvous Caye and Tobacco Cayes.

Of course you have to get salty too. From Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye you can jump on snorkel or dive tours & head out to Hol Chan Marine Park where you can dive with sharks (noo, not the scary kind) & an abundance of sea life. I have never seen so many turtles, eagle rays, fish or dolphins!

Belize is also one of the only places that you can swim with manatees & whale sharks. And that is an experience not to be missed, if you are lucky enough.

For more you can click here.

Belize Barrier Reef – Swimming with Manatees

2. New York

New York undid me.

I thought I wanted to live by the ocean forever. I thought there was nothing that could beat palm trees & turquoise bays – until now. It was the b u z z, its ability to be unapologetically its crazy, full on, all-day-all-night, breakfast at midnight gorgeous self. Its ability to take you in, but REALLY IN. When you leave you don’t want to. It feels like home.

From the neighbourhoods which are almost like totally new cities, to the experiences you just can’t have at home, NY has it all.

Amongst my favourite things were evenings spent at MoMA Museum of Modern Art, aerial views from Top of the Rock, Yankees & beers (they go hand in hand), Bagels in SOHO (& at Barney Greengrass!), Chelsea Market in the Meat Packing District, The High Line, Brooklyn’s bars, gardens & Juliana’s (best pizza of your life, trust me on this one) & Central Park.

3. California

My affections with the US are obvious. If I wasn’t so smitten with my home in Byron Bay, on the East Coast of Australia, this is where I would wander.

We explored Cali in our trusty Volkswagen over a 6 week period. We visited most places, but the stand outs for me were Yosemite National Park, Big Sur, San Diego, LA, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park & the Slow Coast. I would definitely recommend hiring a car & just getting lost for a few weeks.

You can get more information here.

If you time it right you can experience Coachella too.

Honorary mention goes to the Grand Canyon which is next door in stunning & desolate Arizona. If you visit, make sure you walk to the base. It takes a good 10 hours & is a 40 km return trip, but it knows just how hard to push you to create one of the most magical experiences you will ever have. Be sure to organise camping permits prior to your trip if you are not staying at Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch is the only accommodation inside the canyon besides of course camping (which is also very limited) & it provides a hot meal & the best shower of your life. A cheeky loop hole for you… if your dates are not available (which they certainly won’t be unless you are booking a year in advance), you can put your name down at the rangers station the day before, then arrive at 5am the next day to be in the ballot for cancellation / no-show spots.I know this seems nuts, but it is absolutely worth it!

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Western Australia

Western Australia is an adventure of epic proportions. The land is mostly untouched up North so you can expect emus to run the road, perfect waves & turquoise seas. Down South you can cruise the rustic coast of the Margret River & spend your days exploring the vineyards, hidden surf breaks & general laid back surf culture of this part of the world.

Margaret River

Fly into Perth, grab a car & start your adventure South. Its about 3 hours to the Margaret River, mostly highway driving. Once you are close, you can hook inland & take the coast road, where you really start to take in just how spectacularly blue the ocean is.

If you are a surfer, you are in for a treat. The Margaret River is Known internationally as one of the best big-wave surfing locations on Earth for consistently spectacular breaks. There are 40 or more reef breaks, so both groms & pros are catered for. You can check out all the breaks here.

Stay: I would recommend staying in Dunsborough for few nights so you can get the most out of this part of the trip. This gorgeous town is central to all the hot spots, including Sugarloaf Rock, Eagle Bay & the vineyards.

Australia’s Coral Coast

IF YOU ARE READING THIS & BOOKING A TRIP TO WA. I AM SO JEALOUS. You are going to be blown away by what you see. You will have moments of insanity where you just want to see another human being, enjoy a warm shower or access simple luxuries, but do not be fooled, this is going to be one of the best experiences of your life.

Hire a van or car & let go of all inhibitions, run free & camp your life away up the stunning Indian Ocean Drive.

The Pinnacles

So you are going to want to stop & see The Pinnacles, a seriously impressive sight. Arrive about an hour before sunset so you can walk around before dark. The sunsets from here are insane & you’ll be among limestone formations more than 30,000 years old.

Stay: Town of Cervantes

Pink Lake

Have your mind blown & break up the trip to Kalbarri National Park by stopping in at Pink Lake. Salt has turned the water a fairy floss hue & you won’t believe it!

Kalbarri National Park

Red-dirt cliffs meet turquoise seas in this adventurers paradise. You could spend an entire day looking at the incredible vista, but make sure you make time for quad biking the dunes. You can access some of the most remote areas of beach this way & you won’t believe your eyes.

Stay: Wagoe Beach, Kalbarri

Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef

OK. THIS IS IT. This is why you are doing this. You could be in coastal Spain, Belize or maybe even the Maldives with this shade of blue.

Priority one is finding a camp ground, because this tiny dot of a town is overrun by people wanting to access one of the most pristine reefs in the world, Ningaloo Reef!

Priority two is getting in the water as fast as humanly possible to actually see Ningaloo Reef. The difference between the Great Barrier Reef & Ningaloo Reef is quite simply distance, you can be snorkelling Ningaloo Reef within seconds of entering the water. The quality, colour & sea life is the same, perhaps better.

Whale sharks pass by here between March & September, don’t miss this. Book here.

Stay: There are only 2 spots to camp here. Either will be great, but ‘Peoples Park’ does have sites with ocean views!

Exmouth

On the way to Exmouth stop at the Tropic of Capricorn (one of the five major circles of latitude on a map of the Earth), before continuing the long drive to the bustling town of Exmouth (& by busting I mean emus are literally running the roads, stealing your food & heart).

I recommend stocking up & getting to Cape Range National Park as a matter of urgency; you are about to be #mindblown! Note that this area is virtually uninhabited – you need to pack everything in, including water which is incredibly scarce in these parts.

Make Turquoise Bay your first stop. No irony here I assure you. known as one of the top 20 beaches in the world, you will not want to leave. You can be snorkelling Ningaloo Reef in a matter of minutes & you will literally feel like you are stranded on a deserted island. Stay for at least a few nights, camping under the stars, comparing who saw the most turtles that day.

Stay: Camping only. Everywhere is good!

Shark Bay & Monkey Mia are a little further off the map (approx 2 hours drive off the highway), but its worth a visit if you are keen to hand feed wild dolphins & swim in a few more crystal clear lagoons before heading back to Perth.

Stay: Either Monkey Mia (hotel only) or town of Shark Bay (lots of camping options)

Rottnest Island

From Perth you are only a short 40 minute ferry ride away from this come for a day stay for a month island paradise.

Rottnest is home to the famous ‘quokka’, its stunning emerald green lagoons & its car-free-bike-only, laid back vibe. There are pubs, cafes & restaurants to keep your energy levels up – trust me you’ll need it if you are pedalling your way around the island. I do recommend you do this, it could be the most beautiful 4 hours ever spent on a push bike. Take lost of water & snacks so you can explore all day!

Stay: The island has plenty of options! OR just day trip from Perth

Much love, Sarah XX

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Travel

California National Parks

My affections with the US are obvious. If I wasn’t so smitten with my home in Byron Bay, on the East Coast of Australia, this is where I would wander.

We explored Cali in a Volkswagen over a 6 week period, visiting as many hidden gems as possible. We visited most places, but the stand outs for me were Yosemite National Park, Big Sur, San Diego, LA, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park & the Slow Coast. I would definitely recommend hiring a car & just getting lost for a few weeks.

1. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is an INCREDIBLE National Park. I implore you to go. It’s inland about 2 hours, but it is definitely a worthwhile adventure. Try to time it that you arrive an hour or 2 before sundown where you really see the land come to life in colour. The driving route takes approx 1 hour & you want to be there as the sun sinks over the valley.

2. Big Sur National Park

This, you cannot miss! Big Sur delivers.
Sure, it’s one of the most scenic coastlines in the world, it’s #vanlife friendly, the views are mind-blowing, it’s a nature lovers heaven. But these are all secondary. It’s the crazy juxtaposition of the place, the red cliff faces that crash into turquoise seas, the dense lime green forest that meets the ocean that really sticks with you.

You can set up camp inside the National Park on one of the best ‘bluffs’ in Cali (I’m talking panoramic ocean views) for less that $15 US. The sunsets are red hot & you can settle in with a beer after a big day hiking, surfing or swimming. The best piece of advise I can offer, particularly if you haven’t booked in advance (ummm yep we did that!), is arrive at your chosen camp site just before 10am to secure a no show or unfilled site for that evening. These are few & far between especially in peak time, but its your best shot. Many of these sites fill up a year in advance – so it could be your only shot. but trust me when I say the risk is worth the reward.

All the usual suspects pictured below – including Bixby Bridge, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Parl, McWay Falls.

3. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is nothing short of divine. It’s highly accessible from the northern parts of Cali, but worth the drive in my opinion even from San Diego. It’s got undeniable charm & magic that can’t be described, only felt.

Go for a few days or a few weeks. You’ll be impacted either way. As soon as you drive through the gates you can feel how big it is & almost immediately, perspective sets in. There are camp sites scattered throughout, but it depends what time of the year & what accessibility is like – keep in mind even shoulder season can be icy, particularly in the north end. I would recommend grabbing a central camp site (we stayed in Yosemite Valley, Camp 4). This area is virtually on the Vernon & Nevada Falls Trail & an easy 30 min walk to the Yosemite Falls trail. You are putting in at least 15 kms per hike, so make them count right? We woke one night to our kombi rocking, soon realising it was a bear (don’t worry, perfectly normal for the end of bear hibernation season), so by no means do you have to sacrafice nature for a central location.

Hint: I would try to visit Napa on the way back through to San Fransisco, because who does’t like a wine pit stop.

Grand Canyon National Park

Keep connected!

Sarah x

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Byron Adventures

There is nothing I love more than doing something that scares me just enough to push me on to the next challenge. Years ago, I would have laughed if you said I’d be the first one out of a tiny plane 15,000ft above the ocean, or hovering in a box with a live flame above my head being carried by a balloon along the coast OR even got in a helicopter. But I’m here to tell you that all that & more is possible if you just give in to your fears. On the other side of fear is something money cannot buy & that is experience & memories that will last a lifetime. Go on, make yourself proud!

Here’s a growing list of my favorite adventure activities in & around Byron Bay!

Get in zee chopper!

The East Coast of Australia is world renowned for its spectacular coastline. Australian’s are among the luckiest humans on the planet & its beauty should be enjoyed by all! Head up into the clouds & experiences a helicopter ride with Air T & G & you will be rewarded with these views…

I know you’re thinking ‘whats that large grey mass hovering dangerously close to the shore?!’. Well don’t fear, its just a pod of dolphins dancing with local surfers! This is a standard day in the office in beautiful Byron Bay!

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Byron & Surrounds

This is a dedication to all the unique & beautiful places that extend from the beaches & Hinterland of Byron Bay.

Moreton Island

Travel a few hours North & you’ll reach the Port of Brisbane where you can hop on a barge & be riding windows down on the bay of Moreton Island in under 2 hours.

I didn’t grow up camping every weekend, but I’m glad for my new found desire to wake with the birds, sit around camp fires until all hours & surf a rolling break right outside my tent. Moreton Island is definitely the place for this!

Get to North Point with as much speed as possible. This is the place to camp. Picturesque beach camping under a mixture of gum & palm trees
Surf North Point & play in champagne pools. Similar to Wategos & The Pass in Byron Bay, the waves rap around Cape Moreton so its perfect for a long board
Hike Mt Tempest. This is a 19km return trip, but you a rewarded with spectacular 360 views & on a clear day you can see across to the Glass House Mountains of Brisbane’s mainland
Beach fires are allowed. This has to be my favorite part of camping, so don’t forget to bring wood, you’ll definitely have a #fromwhereyoudratherbemoment
Dip in Blue Lagoon on a windy day. It’s inland & sheltered by the Southerly’s that often hit Moreton
Take the road less traveled! Just go go go.. don’t take a map. Just enjoy the thrill of not knowing where you’re going & I’m sure you’ll find your own slice of paradise

Go get salty,

Sarah

Travel

Your Guide to Vivid Sydney

Post author By ableinfo
Post date July 11, 2016
No Comments on Your Guide to Vivid Sydney

So you are keen to check out Sydney’s Vivid Festival? You are in luck.

If you like food, wine, amazing views & best of all a chance to get out & about & feel the buzz – you are in the right place!

The Festival runs from the 27th May – 18th June & the best part about it… well, you can experience it in exactly the way you want to.

The festival is an exploratory insight into creativity & art via immersive light instillations & projections. Sydney city, especially The Rocks, The Botanical Gardens, Sydney Harbour & the waterways are just exploding with colour right now!!

The lights start blazing from 6pm, so make sure you get there just before to watch the city come alive.

Start at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The MCA is open Thurs-Sun from 5-9pm, so arrive early for a browse through the gallery before it gets dark.

The museum contains Australian and international contemporary art exhibits, including a collection of Aboriginal Art. Its gorgeous & right now they have incredible works including an interactive letter sharing piece where you can write an open letter & leave it for others to read or a closed letter to be sealed forever. My personal favourite was the light instillation work (how fitting) pictured below.

OK. Its 6pm.

QUICK head up to the Galleries ‘Sculpture Terrace’ a (relatively unknown) roof top bar on level 4 for 360 degree view of Sydney Harbour. You have an elevated prime position, but you can still hear & feel the buzz below.

Now its time to head down into The Rocks. I implore you to wander, don’t look at the map – just find your own way around. You will be amazed at what you find. There are instillations everywhere.

I’m sure by now you are getting thirsty…

Head over to the opposite side of the Harbour for a slightly different view of the Sydney Opera House – the walk will take around 10 mins. When you arrive you will be greeted by a blast of native & contemporary projections (I challenge you not to take a million photos).

The waters edge is packed with dining options, but my personal favourite is ‘Opera Bar,’ perched right beside the huge wings of the Opera House it has a truly unique view over the Harbour, including the Harbour Bridge & is completely waterfront. Enjoy a drink, shuck some oysters if you like & get ready for another stroll..

Swing around to the right bound for the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney & make your way through the ‘Cathedral of light’.

Stop for a wine & cheese plate at the Gardens pop up bar before heading on. Give yourself at least an hour to explore the stunning waterfront gardens which play host to interactive & just down right beautiful instillations.

Enjoy!

Me & my best friend Shara absolutely loving the Cathedral of Light in the Royal Botanical Gardens.

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Melbourne

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Melbourne is foodie heaven & it’s definitely the art & creative Capital of Australia. It could be the closest we’ll ever get to New York.

I always like to walk around & familiarise myself with a new destination. But when in Melbourne, save your feet & hop on the free city circle tram. It’s all pretty old school glam & takes around 40 mins to do the loop. Ditch the car & use the tram to get around for the duration of your stay.

Get amongst the city’s laneway culture & visit the many cafes & restaurants tucked within. Flinders, Hosier & ACDC lanes are especially amazing.

The neighbourhoods are all pretty diverse & offer something different, but I had a few favs. The CBD area around Flinders Lane is like falling down the rabbit hole, with buttons that transport you to hidden restaurants & bars. China town in Melbourne has the densest selection of Asian cuisine in the Southern Hemisphere, so you know it’s good. Fitzroy is like a mini Brooklyn NY with a good vibe, art & bar scene. Everyone who’s in the know would tell you it’s the place to be in Melbourne.

You’ll find boutique labels in Flinders Lane, boho & vintage stores in Fitzroy, Australian labels in Chapel Street & the bigger stores in Bourke Street Mall. I’d also highly recommend getting amongst some comedy & my pick would be The Comics Lounge. It’s an intimate venue showcasing local comedians & the more famous faces.

FOOD

Top Paddock– Everyone’s loves a good edible flower & so do these guys at Richmond’s trendy breakfast hotspot. You can’t go past the blueberry & ricotta pancakes

Bowery to Williamsburg– Literally channeling New York in all the best ways. Descend into the basement space for top notch coffees & the best bagels in Melbourne. Yep I went there!

Chin Chin– Thai tapas at 1am? No problem! Check out this buzzy little restaurant for great cocktails & share plates. It doesn’t take reservations so have a drink in the bar downstairs while you wait.

mel3 — Movida Spanish Tapas, Flinders Lane

Bars

Union Electric – You’ll have to locate a neon lightning bolt down an alley in Chinatown to access this bar. It mixes crazy cool cocktails & even serves up dumplings fresh from their neighbours.

Bar Exuberante– Ok this ones kind of a secret. It’s a bar within a bar & it feels like a game.. but just go with it. You’ll be greeted by a fake hotel concierge who will escort you in. Thank me later!

Yarra Valley

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Travel beyond the city to visit the Yarra, Melbourne’s wine country & you’ll find some of the best vineyards around. I recommend hiring a car & moving around to your own agenda. There are so many gorgeous small family run wineries that you’ll need to include on your list, some of our favourites include Dominique Portet, Yering Station, Napoleone Brewery & Oakridge. Be sure to visit the Yarra Valley Dairy too. You can enjoy a combined wine & cheese tasting (heaven) & thank the cows on the way out for their hospitality. Check out Matts Bar for a casual lunch on the deck, think tacos & cheese plates or Oakridge for an upscale dining experience.

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oooooh! & don’t forget to check out the AFL (even if you aren’t into sport!)

The Farm, Byron Bay

Australia’s Coral Coast

Pink Lake

Kalbarri National Park

Coral Bay & Ningaloo Reef

Exmouth

Rottnest Island

1. Joshua Tree National Park

2. Big Sur National Park

3. Yosemite National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Get in zee chopper!

Moreton Island

FOOD

Bars