Coastal Pleasures

Close to the Queensland border, the northern end of New South Wales is getting set for some Gold Coast style glamour.

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Byron Bay has long been a favourite of the leisure market, a hidden haven that has grown to entice the upper end of tourism with its small town charm co-existing with all the hedonistic attractions of fine restaurants and cafes and indulgent accommodation options.

Close to the Queensland border, the northern New South Wales region is easily accessed from the Gold Coast International Airport although many visitors prefer to drive from Sydney. Along the way, travellers pass through such towns as Grafton, Maclean and Ballina.

The 4½ star Angourie Rainforest Resort near Yamba has completed the second stage of a $4½ million refurbishment. This includes an 800 square metre restaurant and conference centre and 32 twin suites to complement the existing 34 resort villas. A day spa is soon to come online, offering a blend of massage techniques, a Vichy shower and body wraps.

A NEW RESORT CENTRE

Further north of Byron Bay, a massive development around Kingscliff will create an entirely new resort destination just 15 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport. The $750 million Salt village will sprawl across 73 hectares of beachfront property at South Kingscliff and will include 2 resort hotels. The Outrigger On The Beach At Salt will open in December, while the Peppers Salt Resort Kingscliff is set for completion later in 2005.

The Outrigger will have 213 one and two bedroom apartments and conference facilities for around 400 people. The 5 star Peppers will have 164 one, two and three bedroom apartments, a large health spa and conference facilities for up to 400 people.

The BreakFree Paradiso Resort, opened in late 2002, is one of the first of the new-look Kingscliff developments. The boutique seaside hotel has one and two bedroom apartments and conference facilities for up to 40 people theatre style.