GOLD COAST, QLD and BYRON BAY, NSW
The Gold Coast, Queensland - a place where the beach is always right beside you. Just over the boarder lies Byron Bay, New South Wales - a place where reality feels a little altered; like living in a different time and place that's straight out of a movie.
After my dad and I spent Christmas Day on the beach in Melbourne (the weirdest Christmas I've ever had), we flew out bright and early on Boxing Day and landed in (on?) the Gold Coast. The whole city is literally along the coast - how clever. If I were to describe the Gold Coast in 2 words - Surf. City. A lot of the beaches along the coast host some of the world's biggest surfing competitions. I thought I was a morning person, but surfers are a whole other breed. They'll be up before the sun to catch the best surf. It was definitely a different experience being right in the middle of surf culture, rather than hockey culture that time of year. My dad and I kept saying, "Imagine how different our lives would be if we grew up in Australia... we'd surf instead of skate." They call hockey by its formal name over here - ice hockey - because it's so rare. Maybe that's why I'm so fascinated in this lifestyle because it's so different from mine. Some Australians have never seen snow!
Honestly, my favourite part of the time spent in the Gold Coast was playing tennis with my dad on a rooftop every evening, and then going down to the beach to eat snacks and watch the sunset.
We also spent some time in Byron Bay - about an hour drive from the Gold Coast. Byron Bay is technically in a different state so as soon we crossed the boarder, we changed time zones. I definitely had a 'Walk to Remember' moment being in 2 places at once. If I thought Gold Coast was a different place to be, Byron Bay is alien territory. It's a small town that has the most Easterly point of Australia near the Cape Byron Lighthouse. The water is the clearest clear bluest blue I've ever seen - you can point out all the dolphins and whales and sea animals straight through the water. In town, there's about 2 grocery stores total and the rest of the town is filled with the coolest independent restaurants, cafes and shops. Some would say it's a hippie town and I wouldn't argue that. Again, no one owns shoes, everyone's a little dirty and looks like they haven't washed their hair in awhile. I guess that's what living on the beach will do to ya!
Everyone's a little happier in the sun by the water. I wish I could have stayed longer. My time in the Gold Coast and Byron was short lived so I had to capture every moment as quick as I could, but also enjoy it all. Here's a sneak peek.
If you ever make it to The Gold Coast and/or Byron Bay here's my top 6 must sees and do's. If you don't, it's okay - but really try to because I said so.
6. Surf! It's one of those sports that's not really "taught" in Canada, let alone known at all. It's just like skateboarding or snowboarding... on water. Yet it's SO tiring. I didn't know what to expect, but I didn't realize just how tiring it would be - I forgot you actually have to swim. The longest and hardest part of surfing is paddling out, getting set up and timing it right - it's a bit of a waiting game, and the most fun you'll ever have. Once I got the hang of it, it's such a cool feeling. Just beware of sharks ;)
6. Wategos Beach, Byron - I know I say each beach is amazing, but this one is extra special okay!
6. Combi Cafe - 25 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay
6. Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta - Sit on the edge of a cliff watching the waves aggressively hit the rocks, creating its own pools and rivers within the rocks and cliff faces. Hence the name.
6. Greenhouse Canteen - 1916 Gold Coast Highway, Miami or 140 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
6. Wear sunscreen. Australia and New Zealand have this saying Slip, Slap, Slop (which I've never heard before coming here) to encourage people to be sun safe. Slip = slip on a shirt. Slap = slap on a hat. Slop = slop on the sunscreen. Apparently the ozone layer over Australia is super thin so the sun's rays are extra aggressive and I've learnt that the hard way. It could be a 20 degree cloudy day and that's when the sun will get ya! You don't want skin cancer.