Sunblest Beach Retreat

SOLD!

After ten years, Sunblest has now changed hands, and will house a family full time, no more holiday letting!

I'm sure many of our page followers got the chance to enjoy the house over the years, and like me and my family, will retain some great memories.

Now, it's onto a new era... !!

Thanks everyone, Lee

Beach front Byron Bay

Architecturally stunning four bedroom four bathroom beachside home FOR SALE.
Right on Byron Bay's Suffolk Park surf beach.
Sea change for a week, a year, a lifetime...

https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/northern-rivers/suffolk-park/403464

Absolute luxury on the beach - Suffolk Park, Byron Bay.
Huge four bedroom four bathroom architectural masterpiece.
Perfect holiday home or lifestyle change. For Sale now.

https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/northern-rivers/suffolk-park/403464

CSIRO

DID YOU KNOW? 🤔

The clear, jelly-like sacs that you see along Australian beaches are not jellyfish. They're actually the egg sacs of predatory sand snails, like the moon snail or conical sand snail. 🐌

If you look closely, each sac contains thousands of tiny little eggs.

Moon snail egg masses usually float near sandy areas, and they often wash up on beaches in the spring. They easily crumble when handled. These egg masses consist of tiny eggs in a jelly matrix.

The matrix absorbs water and swells to form the distinctive crescent-shaped tube which can be three to five times larger than the snail that laid it. The egg masses break up in the water after a few days, releasing planktonic larvae from the eggs.

📝: Museums Victoria #Bestof2019

September school holidays are coming up, as is the warmer Spring weather. Book at Sunblest Suffolk Park now!
From check-in Sunday 8 September through to check-out Wed 25 Sept - or any minimum stays in between.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g528934-d2326235-r223085167-Sunblest_Beach_Retreat-Byron_Bay_Byron_Shire_New_South_Wales.html

Byron Writers Festival

Byron Writers Festival 2019 full program announced and all tickets on sale! With a line-up of over 140 writers and thinkers from around Australia and the world, the 23rd Byron Writers Festival Program features 121 panels and conversations taking place across six stages, from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 August. These are complemented by a series of satellite events throughout the Northern Rivers and diverse writers’ workshops. Book your tickets (and your accommodation ;) ) now!

* FULL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED * Byron Writers Festival 2019 will feature more than 140 writers and thinkers over three incredible days this 2—4 August. See who’s coming and get your tickets today via https://byronwritersfestival.com/festival/

[02/26/19]   One of our neighbours put together this li'l home video https://www.instagram.com/tv/Br5tFg7A6s_/

Byron Bay

World Naked Bike Ride in Byron Bay next month: 3pm Sunday 10 March

The best places to eat in Byron Bay

Di Vino Byron Bay

"Sometimes you don't want to eat fish or chips or coastal succulents or neo-Oaxacan share plates. You want spaghetti, damn it, and maybe a glass of wine. And for those times, this newcomer – already a hit with the locals – has you covered. One of the owners is Roman, the chef is Ligurian, and the menu is pleasingly clipped to essentials such as a classic rigatoni all'Amatriciana and fried stuffed olives alla Ascolana. Wine, meanwhile, leans natural, with bottles from cult Italian producers such as Elisabetta Foradori and Giulio Armani offered alongside those from Australian fellow believers such as James Erskine, Bryan Martin, and Owen Latta."

2 Fletcher St, Byron Bay, (02) 6680 8424, www.divinobyron.com

from Gourmet Traveller's food lover's guide to Byron Bay, Jan 2019 -
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/travel/destinations/a-food-lovers-guide-to-the-byron-bay-region-5631

gourmettraveller.com.au Wood-fired pizza, tasty bar snacks and plenty more.

Shelter

If you happened to be a kid in the 1980s visiting Lennox Head, a small town north of Ballina, to have a splash around in the tea tree-stained Lake Ainsworth, you'd be overjoyed if you got some Redskins and a Bubble O'Bill along the way. Today's children are made of sterner stuff. They make a beeline for this dunefront shack and load up on raw fish with horseradish and pickled rhubarb scattered with buckwheat and coastal succulents. And why not? Shelter over-delivers: the butter is cultured, the fish line-caught, the wines by the glass extending to Si Vintners sem-chardonnay, Ochota Barrels rosé and Jauma Disco Special grenache-shiraz served chilled.
41 Pacific Pde, Lennox Head, (02) 6687 7757, www.shelterlennox.com.au

from Gourmet Traveller's food lover's guide to Byron Bay, Jan 2019
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/travel/destinations/a-food-lovers-guide-to-the-byron-bay-region-5631

Harvest Newrybar review

"Ally Waddell likes to cook. Peter Hardwick likes to forage for native, feral and otherwise underutilised food plants, pickle things and make vinegars. Moira Waterfall likes to pour people unusual and delicious booze. Together they're making beautiful music, upping the tempo at this sprawling landmark eatery. Lately they've started experimenting with extending their Wednesday Wild Harvest menu, in which Waddell showcases Hardwick's finds and philtres, throughout the week. That could translate to blackened garlic scapes with crème fraîche and a charred-kelp vinegar, a ceviche of cobia with sea purslane, finger lime and sea velvet, or a bowl of native passionfruit, simply sliced and salted."

18-22 Old Pacific Hwy, Newrybar Village, (02) 6687 2644, harvestnewrybar.com.au

from Gourmet Traveller's food lover's guide to Byron Bay, Jan 2019:
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/travel/destinations/a-food-lovers-guide-to-the-byron-bay-region-5631

Sunblest Beach Retreat's cover photo

Continuing reviews of great Byron eateries...

BARRIO Byron Bay

Great coffee. All-day great food, eat in and to go. Outdoor dining. The culinary force of nature that is Francisco Smoje, working his Latin-inflected elemental magic on the grill with hunks of meat, vegetables and superb seafood. You won't eat a better-cooked eggplant.

1 Porter St, Byron Bay, www.barriobyronbay.com.au

from Gourmet Traveller's food lover's guide to Byron Bay, Jan 2019
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/travel/destinations/a-food-lovers-guide-to-the-byron-bay-region-5631

Ethel Food Store

Ethel

La Casita isn't Team Fleet' Brunswick Heads's only other offering – for breakfast, lunch and just about everything else there's Ethel Food Store, a café-cum-traiteur that does sandwiches and pastries, and pours Reuben Hills coffee, Good Happy kombucha and Baladin softs. Stock up on Martelli pasta, passata and Bunya Red Farm capers ("the best around," according to Astrid McCormack), or leave the hard yards to them and pick up a fish pie, ready to go straight in the oven, or a salad of raw broccoli, raisins and currants dressed with cashew-nut cream.

Shop 2/19 Booyun St, Brunswick Heads, (02) 6685 1343, www.ethelfoodstore.com.au

from Gourmet Traveller's food lover's guide to Byron Bay, Jan 2019 -
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/travel/destinations/a-food-lovers-guide-to-the-byron-bay-region-5631

ethelfoodstore.com.au Ethel Food Store - Brunswick Heads

Food & Wine — Fleet

La Casita

A popular chips, chilli and chimichangas joint in a fishing-and-caravans town is taken over by two of the Australian food world's brightest young stars: Astrid McCormack and Josh Lewis. Tasty things ensue. What was Gringos is now La Casita, the casual Mexican offshoot of two-star wine bar Fleet. Everything you like about Fleet is here, only mostly outside, looser, cheaper and Mexican in inspiration. Expect a hip drinks list and savvy service culture from McCormack, a smart cocktail selection from Fleet partner Robert Mudge and, from Lewis, the likes of a ceviche of local snapper studded with fresh coriander seeds, shellfish oil and avocado, and tostadas topped with chunks of Ballina prawn tossed with chintextle, a nutty, spicy salsa that could be the XO of Oaxaca.

Cnr Fawcett and Tweed sts, Brunswick Heads, (02) 6685 1955

http://fleet-restaurant.com.au/food-wine/

from Gourmet Traveller's food lover's guide to Byron Bay, Jan 2019

fleet-restaurant.com.au Food & Wine at Fleet Restaurant, Brunswick Heads

[01/20/19]   Locura Byron Bay

The Ducks are on a roll. The six-person chef collective opened a branch of its signature Three Blue Ducks café-restaurant at the W Brisbane last year, while the branch they opened in 2014 at The Farm at Byron Bay , the 32-hectare complex on the outskirts of Byron, is almost a postcode in itself. Now they've have moved into town (four of the guys live in the neighbourhood), taking over what was once La La Land. If your key impressions of La La's (as it's called by the hordes barrelling down Lawson Street after midnight) are more oriented towards nightclubbing than farm-to-table dining, don't fret: the name means something like "the madness" and it remains a place to lose yourself in the small hours of the morning. The Ducks have added a short menu of dishes inspired by their adventures in Latin America – tacos, corn, salsa – but for now, they're working with a bar kitchen and only serving food till 8.30pm. Expect bigger things as they expand the kitchen; Tim Philips, of Sydney's Bulletin Place, is making over the cocktail list in the meantime.

6 Lawson St, Byron Bay, (02) 6675 9140, www.locura.com.au

from Gourmet Traveller's food lover's guide to Byron Bay, Jan 2019

The best places to eat in Byron Bay

Chupacabra Byron

The backblocks of a shopping centre in the Byron Bay suburb of Suffolk Park might seem an odd setting for an eatery inspired by the cuisines of coastal Mexico, but incongruity is part of Chupacabra's charm. What could from the outside appear to be just another fajita place opened on the strength of no more research than a sun, surf and sensimilla Kombi trip to Puerto Escondido or Cancún, turns out to conceal quiet wonders. It's casual enough for local stoners and families to pop in for huevos rancheros and guacamole, or breakfast nachos on the weekend, but nuanced enough to round out that offer with suckling pig or grilled watermelon and pepita tacos. Chef Evan White and manager Amelia Stokes are passionate about their subject and are excellent hosts – never more so than when dishing up excellent whole grilled local fish to share in a DIY-taco situation with hot tortillas and a wealth of salsas and salads.

12a/3 Clifford St, Suffolk Park, 0448 077 401, www.chupacabra.com.au

from Gourmet Traveller's food lover's guide to Byron Bay, Jan 2019
https://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/travel/destinations/a-food-lovers-guide-to-the-byron-bay-region-5631

gourmettraveller.com.au Wood-fired pizza, tasty bar snacks and plenty more.

52 Places to Go in 2019

wow, some amazing places to visit - let us know if you're returning to #29

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/travel/places-to-visit.html

nytimes.com A starter kit for escaping into the world.

Escape to the beach this Christmas!
Sunblest is available 22-28 Dec 2018

https://luxury.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p9063088

Japanese and Australian Foodways Mix Off a Winding Road

Top things to do in and around Byron Bay!!

One of regular guests has very generously shared his thoughts on what must be done while visiting the region…

We never seem to tire of the gorgeous food, relaxed and peaceful people or the attractive things to do here in Bryon. Here’s my Top 10 Things to do whilst at Sunblest.

1. Waterfalls and Rustic Japanese - Take a 20-minute car ride then hike to Killen Falls Nature Reserve, it is home to one of the last standing remnants of the big scrub rainforest. The drive and hike are easy for the young and old, the scenery is breathtaking, the falls are great for looking or for a gentle swim if you are up for it. Get in early to avoid the crowds, followed by a brunch/lunch at the town of Federal NSW, Doma Cafe http://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/26/dining/federal-doma-cafe-review-japanese-food-nsw-australia.html . Japanese owned and the healthiest serving of glorious Japanese food you've ever had, even the New York Times loved it https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/26/dining/federal-doma-cafe-review-japanese-food-nsw-australia.html

2. Let's Go Surfing - https://letsgosurfing.com.au/location/byron-bay/ our children really enjoy the instructors here and have had lessons over the past few years (cheaper if you book in a group of 5 or more) when we visit Byron Bay, check in at 9 am for a 9.30 start - 11 am with Katie (she is great with kids) or Blake. They'll be confident by the end of your stay, both of our children age 9 and 8 are becoming more confident and trying their hand at some tricks. If time permits take them in the afternoon to The Pass or Watego's for another beach experience.

3. Byron for Coffee & Lunch at The General Store https://www.facebook.com/Byrongeneralstore/ on your way into Byron for a healthy salad or coffee, or Top Shop https://www.facebook.com/TopShopByronBay/ for breakfast or afternoon Fish + Chips, both places have plenty on the menu for kids. Top Shop is just up the hill from Wategos Beach. The Road House http://roadhousebyronbay.com/ and Bay Leaf Café https://www.facebook.com/bayleafcoffee/ are also great, and very busy.

4. Bangalow - Head out for an afternoon Yumcha at Red Ginger http://www.redginger.com.au/about/ for some delicious dumplings, then wander along Station Street for some terrific shops, Bisque beautiful furniture, lighting, homewares, fashion and more, Worn Store 10 Station Street, Braer, Woods Cafe (great smoothie with a coffee shot) then Island Luxe for eye candy.

5. Wategos - For a panoramic dinner out, head to Rae's https://www.raes.com.au/restaurant/ for the daily fish, their 50 seat al fresco dining room overlooking Wategos Beach has a reputation as one of the best restaurants in the Byron Bay region. They source the freshest and finest local produce from Byron and the surrounding regions, followed by a gentle hike to the lighthouse at Cape Byron to watch the sunset. It is about 60 minutes round trip and worth it. If you go for an early morning swim then say hi to Mike at his VW Combi Van, (parked at Rae's for the morning only) originally from Melbourne he makes the best coffee on the beach at 6 am.

6. Brunswick Heads - Every year we take a day trip to Brunswick Heads. Head straight to Yami's http://www.yami.com.au/ vegetarian cafe that will inspire and delight you with the delicious menu of authentic and flavoursome middle eastern cuisine. For a picnic (I highly recommend Sahih in a pocket and hummus with extra pita) then either book a tinny or two at Brunswick Buccaneers https://www.facebook.com/BrunswickBuccaneers or siesta in the shade or take advantage of the many photo opportunities.

7. Whites Beach – take a 10-minute hike down the hill from Broken Head park for one of the best beaches in Byron https://www.australiantraveller.com/nsw/north-coast/byron-bay/100-incredible-travel-secrets-of-australia-1-whites-beach-byron-bay-nsw/ . Look out for Jack Johnson or Chris Hemsworth who both live on Seven Mile Beach Road and are frequently spotted out surfing here.

8. Dining out - Check out the excellent food in and around Byron with Duk https://www.dukbyronbay.com/ , Kinoko http://www.kinoko.com.au/ , Balcony Bar & Oyster Co https://balcony.com.au/ , 100 Mile Table (for lunch) https://100miletable.com/ The Farm, the cutest working farm (check out their Scottish Highland cattle!) home to Three Blue Ducks https://www.thefarmbyronbay.com.au/ . There is also 100 Mile Table offered at the golf club a few minutes walk from Sunblest, offering their take on the classic bistro. The 100 Mile Table menu presents classics such as pan fried local fish with lemon caper butter, beef shin pie with sour cream and mustard... and crumbed lamb cutlets with salsa rustica. Wednesday nights they roll out the 'steak and schooner' special featuring Cape Grim rib eye and Sunday lunches see the addition of beautiful citrus brined roast chicken served with shoestring fries and crunchy iceberg with miso ranch dressing.

9. Newrybar - Have a leisurely lunch at Harvest https://harvestnewrybar.com.au/ which has a 100 year old bread oven, followed by a wander through the Newrybar Merchants http://www.newrybarmerchants.com/ full of amazing things to buy and other great local shops. Newrybar Merchants is a collective of some of the creative local artisans and curators of fine goods passionate about what they do. Honouring the space and the essence of the Byron Bay Hinterland, Newrybar Merchants enable customers to experience rustic charm effortlessly blended with sophistication within a beautiful and unique retail space.

10. Fine dining at its best - Paper Daisy at the Virginia Kerridge http://vk.com.au/Halcyon-House designed Halcyon House Boutique Hotel https://halcyonhouse.com.au/paper-daisy-restaurant/ and Fleet Restaurant which books out 3 months in advance and only has 14 seats! http://fleet-restaurant.com.au/ . They offer a late lunch sitting at 3PM / 3:30PM. Dinner reservations begin from 6:30PM. Note, the menu and experience are the same for lunch and dinner.

I hope this is all helpful and that you enjoy your holiday as much as we did.

Richard, Mark and family

nytimes.com A small town in New South Wales rewards visitors and locals with a charming Japanese cafe.