Nature & bubbles
travel – food – art – music
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Email
Menu
Skip to content
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Instagram
  • Why Nature & Bubbles?

Tag Archives: Byron Bay

Hartvest Newrybar, NSW

25/08/202025/08/2020

The paddock to plate, garden to plate philosophy of Harvest, saw it booked out for Oprah and her entourage in 2010 when she visited. 

Since then, this once bakery, cafe has become a destination. 

Now days the main highway bypasses the town and it’s probably best to put the address into your maps and understand you’ll be weaving a little bit through the country side before arriving. 

You won’t be disappointed. 

The township of Nearby is quiticential of most Australian towns in the northern rivers of New South Wales; a pub, a garage and a milk bar. Harvest has certainly put the town on the map and now the town boasts an art and homeware collective, an antique shop and a few other places to drift in and out of.

We didn’t make a booking (I strongly recommend you do) so we sat on the balcony. It was a rainy cold winter’s day but fortunately the heater on the deck and the food distracted from the cool.

We weren’t necessarily after a big long lunch, so settled on the carrots (grown on site) roasted in the oven with …

Totally delicious.

For main, I chose a burger which was OK. The produce was locally sourced but not abundant. I get it, it’s a fine dining restaruant. 

My partner had the eye fillet which was also wonderful but served as it. You really need to order sides.

I was a little bit disappointed with the menu on this day but apparently it changes regularly depending on the seasonal foods and produce available. 

To be fair we didn’t have a booking, the place was pumping with people streaming in regularly and was clearly very popular. 

The gardens are uplifting and worth strolling through, as much of the product served inside is from their own garden. A fully functioning bakery is out the back and you can see the guys in action as well as having their own bee hives.

The importance of bees and pollination of crops a very topical conversation piece in the Northern Rivers. On this ocassion food was 4/5, service 5/5. WE will be back to see if we can give them the 10/10.

Bookings a must. 

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Bluesfest Byron Bay

01/06/201801/06/2018

The Byron Bay Blues Festival

AKA Bluesfest

It’s my “many-ieth” time to the Blues Festival experiencing the eclectic line up of blues and rhythm artists from around the world.

In the past I have seen James Brown, Elle King, The National and many amazing artists.

This year is also special but I have time on my hands and it is a whole different ball game.

With a 5 day pass and VIP pass you can really relax and not race from tent to tent trying to squeeze in as many artists as possible.

I’ve decided to camp – which is great. You meet fellow festival goers and can make new friendships quickly. The thing I really like about camping is the ability to bubble out from the festival madness and have reprieve.

The thing I don’t like about camping at the festival is that the days can start early if a baby is crying and the nights can go long if people decide to start a mini party. Both of which happened on the same night on my stay.

The toilet facilities are basic at Blues and it really makes you value the luxuries of a home shower.

The staff are really friendly at the festival although beaurocracy seems to have gone a bit mad with multiple people involved with the process to “manage” people to find a camp site. None of which is needed at other festivals.

Beer, wine and water ran out by early afternoon on Sunday which left a lot of people disgruntle this festival. I couldn’t understand why water had run out and how that could occur in 2018!

Skye Edwards fronting Morcheeba

Alas fortunately for Blues Fest this year, the artists got the festival over the line. Seal, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crowe, Rag Man, and Bones, Morcheeba, Prince’s back up band, John Butler Trio and more… made for another sensational year.

One day is fine, 2 days better and VIP a must.

You can grab tickets here.

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

The Bangalow Food Festival

30/11/201730/11/2017

Bangalow is a funky town twenty minutes inland from Byron Bay. It’s also reasonably close to the Gold Coast and a day trip is easy.

Bangalow has a many festivals, markets and events and is worth visiting.

Last minute we decide to head to the Bangalow Food Festival. With no expectations of the festival, we were stoked to be heading Byron way. 

The kids are a little older now and I am happy to give them a little bit of freedom and money to buy their own food.

My friend’s children are there aswell so they hang out together.,eating plates of dumplings, to pulled pork to home made ice cream.

There are a few scattered cooking segments, a chief cook-off and food tasting. But missed most of it.

It would have been good to have more entertainment, music or comedians… and the prices were quite expensive.

However the winter’s sun, the happy vibe, make for a good day out.

 

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Asia Joes Byron Bay

21/10/2017

There are so many awesome food choices in Byron Bay, don’t settle for any old slops!

IF you can find the alley way behind the Byron Hotel you will find a mecca of quick eats… and many serving alcohol so you can sit longer and take your time.

Look for the restaurant along for the LOVE frame to find Asia Joes.

Today we try Asia Joes.

It was a pretty simple menu with some good old traditional Asian dishes and enough for us to find something we liked.

The prices were really good and they don’t use MSG!

The service was great, food good and prepared with nice fresh ingredients! Rating 8/10.

 

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Five must-try restaurants globally

31/03/201602/04/2016

Restaurant eating can be an experience in itself.

Often I reflect fondly on town and place because of the restaurant experience.

Atmosphere, food, service and views are all aspects that go into making the restaurants below  some of my favs world wide.

These are a few of the restaurants that ignite my taste buds and sensations :

Larvotto Beach
La Rose Des Vents on Larvotto Beach, Monaco

  1. La Rose Des Vents, Monaco

The great appeal of this restaurant for me is the fact it is on a beach in Monaco. It is accommodating (I have turned up straight from the beach) and or as glitzy as you want.

Seafood at La Rose Des Vents Monaco
Seafood at La Rose Des Vents Monaco

The food is delicious and I only have seafood when I go there. Terrains, kebabs, fresh seafood. It is all devine and delish! Check it out here. 

2. Frogmore’s Creek, Tasmania, Australia

Frogmores
Chess piece ice cream from Frogmore’s Creek Restaurant

Set outside of Hobart in Tasmania on a vineyard is a wonderful restaurant called Frogmore’s. I have had the pleasure of eating there twice and each time has been mind blowing. This is a more extensive blog about it and their website here. Fly down to Hobart just for lunch!

3. Rae’s on Wategos, Byron Bay, Australia

Wategos Beach Break
Julian Rocks off Wategos

Overlooking arguably one of the best beaches in the world is Rae’s on Wategos.

It’s a perfect for a long lunch with a great conversationalist or friend. You will be served scrumptious delights, not overly large which is good, and fantastic wines.

4. The African Queen, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France

The African Queen
Desserts from The African Queen

The day we turned up here was a story in itself.  Winding down the steep curved road cut into the French coast line, overlooking the vast ocean and cote’d azure we stumbled across The African Queen.

Chilled Champagne, delicate cerviche and the most amazing desserts,  The African Queen could win alone on food. But it also has a magestic out look and relaxed atmosphere.

This definitely goes on one of my favorite restaurant’s list.

 

5. Chez Gado Gado, Bali, Indonesia

A simple, comfortable restaurant by the ocean in Seminyak. The food is great, abundant and refreshing breeze is worth traveling for.  I have had a few meals at Chez Gado Gado and all have been worthy. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night you should book in advance.

Let me know your favourite restaurants in the comments and I will try to visit them 🙂

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Back to the bay

20/12/201525/12/2015

Byron Bay twice in the same week seems a pure indulgence.Wategos Beach

My favorite beach in Australia, Wategos.

Pig belly, views, Byron’s blue water and space.

Loads of space… air… you know the stuff that seems limited in cities and in massive abundance in the country. I even breathe deeper here.

I’ve slipped away for another interlude with Byron, a love affair that started many moons ago when I first used to drive here from Melbourne and Sydney. It was the Mecca of the Northern NSW coast back then and still is.

I will write many blogs on Byron no doubt. Like Bali, each time is a different journey, visit and lesson.

It is a cross roads for all walks of life, all cultures, all travelers, all religions, all ideas. It is essentially Byron.

the Pass
Wave perfection at the Pass

It’s pure colour alone is incredible.

byron Bay
Passing Perfection Byron Bay

This time around I am staying in a TENT on my own. It’s a first.

No boyfriend, no one else, just me, my rusty hammer and my new tent.

My new tent that blew over defiantly after I erected it last time. Fortunately we seem to have a better understanding this time around and it could be a lot to do with the hammer.

I recall why I am here. I have unfinished business this week!

byron Sights
Funny sights of Byron- the abandoned undies!

Unfinished business with myself actually. I have had a big week in business. Not so much trade but behind the scenes, making some big decisions, business planning for the new year and the like. It’s not stressful but very masculine in energy.

While I don’t mind being a “business man” from time to time, I have found I need to mix it up with green light activities (surfing, walking, swimming, art, journally etc) as these are the things that actually keep happy, relaxed and fulfilled long term.

I need time away to refeminize, regroup and generally digest it all. And Byron is the best wet nurse for me.

I find myself at the same place as Tuesday for lunch. The Byron Cafe.

Byron Beach Cafe

It’s special feature is it’s views.

I booked the other day because the only way to go is to sit over looking the bay. I have been coming to this cafe for years…. 1994!… when it used to be a burger bar. I used to come her with my boyfriend after a surf and grab a burger and a smoothie. FUN days. Still are.

Now days, the Byron Cafe is more up-market with its food; Pork Belly, crab meat spaghetti, snapper etc… ALL delicious selections. I really like the food. It’s the second time this week I am eating here and no surprises, I go for the pork belly again. Maybe not the healthiest on the menu but the naughtiest and yummiest.

I order the pork belly. I can’t help it. The concept of eating another animals belly fat is abhorant but I LOVE IT.

The apple sauce, the gravy, the potato remind me of Prague and pig knuckles which are some of my fondest eating moments. MMMMM

Byron Beach Cafe
pork belly the Byron Beach Cafe

I am looking forward to venture back again real soon and until then Byron, Mi Amor.

sunset Byron Bay
Byron Bay sunset

Mt Warning

1 Comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Swings, paddocks and organic food – The Farm

28/11/201528/12/2015

My favourite sort of day.. blue skies, Hot House Flowers, adventures, kids and The Farm.

Having heard so much about The Farm at Byron Bay  I was feeling remiss that I hadn’t been there. Today was the day.

It’s a Saturday, and most people are getting wrapped up in Christmas shopping and the like but I grab the kids and decide to  head off to explore The Farm.

Sam at The Farm
The Farm

There is something very therapeutic about the drive to Byron, or even Brunswick Heads… I’m not sure exactly what  it is or why it happens but the transformation takes place roughly on the bridge over the Tweed River

I am in a haze of calm.

As always Mr Warning gives me a wink.

I love the vibe immediately at the Farm. It reminds me of Daylesford in the Cottswalds and that’s  a great thing!

The Farm at Byron
The Farm Byron Bay

The kids take off to the swings and I start to scuffle my shoes along the white dusted drive way lost in day dreams… I’m digging The Farm!

The Farm
My favourite image- the kids playing at the Farm

I feel like its a wanderlust trip back in time. Back to my childhood growing up in Tasmania where there were endless fences to follow, paddocks to play in and dodge bulls in and creeks to sit by.

The space at The Farm is relaxing and I am so happy they are sharing it with all.

Fence at the farm brings back wanderlust
Long white drive ways and fences

 

There is total calm at the farm (except maybe my city slicker kids who can’t get enough).  A guy playing guitar, the beautiful back drop prattle of laughs and chit chat.  Vineyard ambience, hipster dress code and I am really digging The Farm.

After a thirty minute wait, which should be mandatory, so you can check out the property and meander around, we are seated.

Yummy food, gluten free, dairy free, the menu is ticking a few of my boxes!

Organic, preservative free wines an even bigger tick!

Wahoo at the Farm
Fish at The Farm

I order fish of the day: Wahoo, with zucchini, almonds, quinoa, wild rice and macademia cream. Oh yes, quite delicious. Definitely worthy 9/10.  Something different, healthy and stimulating! Well done guys.

Kalani at the Farm
The Farm

The kids have a BBQ steak with roast veggies and a BBQ sausage on Sour Dough. YUM! Ticking more boxes.

Suck up the air, let go of the city bustle CHILL out.

The Farm has met my expectations and more. It is the space, the food, the friendliness of the staff and of course the swings.

Worth a day trip from any where just to  find calm at the Farm. I love it.

Signature

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Fishheads Byron Bay

06/05/201528/12/2015

Why Wategos, Byron and Fishheads are my happy place

A favourite of mine is Byron Bay, especially Wategos Beach around under the light house. It’s one of my “happy places” where time stands still, where dolphins break the water and the sun always beams (even on rainy days).

Tai Chi
Tai Chi Burleigh Heads

Today was a perfect start with a stretch (like a blue sea dragon searching for pearls) and a push towards the sky (like a crane stretching it’s neck) doing Tai Chi on Burleigh Hills.

It just is an incredible way to start the day and to feel like alive.  It’s so cool pretending to be a monkey or a crane… my imagination loves the play!

Tai Chi is better for me personally compared to yoga especially as it is outdoors.

My car seems to know it’s why to Byron which is handy and today I thought I would try Fishhead’s in town. I haven’t eaten there for ages but apparently everyone knows they don’t serve before noon because it goes from ghost town to busy town in minutes. At five minutes past noon the place is pumping.

I take my boyfriend’s mum there (she’s over from Wales) for the Seafood Platter.  No batter, no gluten ridden bread crumbs just pure unadulterated seafood – they way I like it and the way good seafood should be served – virgin.

Seafood platter at Byron Bay
Seafood platter

The oysters are meaty and salty. So fresh and yummy! But of course not everyone’s desire. The BBQ prawns even more flavour some and the calamari melts like butter. My sides were starting to bulge but I find some space for an alfogatto with Khaluha. Perfect meal.

Fish Heads byron
Alfagotto

The ONLY way to cap off a day like this is a swim or surf at Wategos. I love the views, the waves, the vibe – it is my happy place. So off we went to lie with the myriad of other nationalities bathing in the winter’s sun, staring out to sea, talking of wild adventures and dreaming of fantasies.

Mt Warning
Mt Warning from Wategos

Signature

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Follow Me!

Come on my Writer’s Retreat October 2022

retreat

Stay connected with my worldly travels

Copyright 2022 natureandbubbles.com | All Rights Reserved
Angie Makes Feminine WordPress Themes