Meetings with diversity

Byron Bay and the surrounding region offers meetings organisers a glimpse of an alternate lifestyle with all the comforts of home.

Nestling into the northern border of NSW, the region around Byron Bay has quite a different appeal to its nearby neighbour, Queensland’s glitzy Gold Coast. While the popular perception may be of hippies, yoga, bean sprouts and alternate lifestyles, tourism has broadened its appeal considerably.

There are numerous upmarket resort properties, generally of the size perfect for small conferences and meetings. One of the latest additions to the tourism market is The Byron at Byron Resort Spa and Conference Centre, set within 18 hectares of lush rainforest. Only five minutes from the town centre and within close reach of Tallow Beach, The Byron at Byron has garnered extensive accolades since opening.

Also close by and named by Captain James Cook in 1770 is Cape Byron, the eastern-most point of the Australian mainland. Sitting atop a rocky promontory is a lighthouse built in 1901, probably one of the most photographed in the country. There are almost 40 kilometres of beaches within

the Byron shire, including popular Wategos and Main Beach. Dedicated surfers, who flock there for the range of north, east and south-facing beaches, reckon they’re in heaven, with dolphins often partnering them on the waves.

>> Conference & meeting venues in Far North Coast - Byron Bay

Way of life
The Byron Bay markets are a great spot to observe the region’s alternate lifestyle. Many artists, performers and celebrities call the area home, and the creative community is still in evidence, with regular music and arts festivals. Inland from Byron, such small towns as Mullumbimby, Nimbin and Bangalow are well worth visiting, while smaller coastal settlements, including Lennox Head and Ballina, make for great day trips.

Byron Bay lies within easy driving distance of Coolangatta Airport, with Brisbane 170 kilometres to the north. There are almost too many things to do in the area, including bushwalking, horse riding, scuba diving, fishing, skydiving, gliding, yoga and massage.