Hi peeps! 👋
Well, I’ve officially settled into Byron Bay for a while and, for the first time since Darwin, I’ve had the chance to actually stop travelling and make somewhere feel a little bit like home.
And honestly… it has been wonderful.
There’s something different about staying in one place for a while. You stop feeling like a visitor. You find your favourite coffee spot, know where to grab a good feed, recognise familiar faces and start developing your own little routines.
Byron Bay was always going to be a deliberate stop on this journey. I had three important engagements here that I had been looking forward to all year, so while I waited for those commitments, I had some time to slow down, explore and simply enjoy being here.
And, as it turns out, a little bit of magic was waiting for us.
🐴 A Horseshoe, A Lighthouse & A Little Bit of Luck
One afternoon, my partner Willy and I were sitting on a park bench enjoying one of life’s simple pleasures—a pie and sauce from one of the much-loved local bakeries.
Nothing fancy.
Just two travellers, a pie, a park bench and nowhere we needed to be immediately.
As we got up to leave, Willy spotted something shiny on the ground.
“Hey, look at that!”
I picked it up.
It was a little silver horseshoe pendant.
Now, I’m not usually one to get too carried away with signs and symbols… but finding a horseshoe while travelling around Australia felt like something worth paying attention to!
We decided it was a pretty good omen and I popped it into my pocket.
Later that afternoon, we decided to take our chances and drive up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse.
This had become a bit of a ritual for us.
Every now and then we'd make the drive up the hill, knowing full well that parking could be impossible, but always hoping we'd somehow get lucky enough to find a spot.
On this particular day, we drove past the car parks.
Full.
Full.
Full.
Yep… no luck.
We finally arrived at the top near the lighthouse, and one of the parking stewards approached us.
“Hey, do you want to park in the car park?”
“Ummm… YES PLEASE!”
He explained the parking fee and I was happy to pay it. I pulled out my phone and got ready to tap and pay.
Then he looked at us and asked:
“Are you Bundjalung people?”
We explained that we were from Western Australia. I’m Yamatji and Willy is Bardi.
He looked at us and said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“This is First Nations land. I’m not going to charge you for parking.”
He directed us to our parking spot and simply said:
“Enjoy.”
And enjoy we did.
We looked at the horseshoe pendant.
And then we looked at each other.
Well… I reckon we just found ourselves a pretty good luck charm! 😂
Not only had we found a horseshoe earlier that day, but somehow it had delivered us a parking bay at one of the busiest tourist spots in Byron Bay…
and we got it for FREE!
How’s that for a sign?
We spent some time at the lighthouse soaking it all in. We watched the ocean.
We looked out for whales. We took many photos and breathed in the salty air.
And we stood there appreciating the incredible beauty of Country.
Sometimes it’s not the big adventures that stay with you.
Sometimes it’s a silver horseshoe found on the ground, a chance conversation with a stranger and an unexpected moment of generosity.
🌿 Boomerang’s Top 5 – Northern Rivers NSW
There have been so many beautiful places and experiences around the Northern Rivers, so narrowing it down wasn't easy!
In no particular order, here are five of my favourites:
- 🗼 Byron Bay Lighthouse
An absolute must-see.
Whether you walk up or drive, the views are spectacular. If you’re lucky, you might even spot whales cruising along the coastline or find a Free parking space.
- 🌈 Nimbin
Definitely a place that has its own personality!
Quirky, colourful and unlike anywhere else I've visited on this journey.
- ✍️ Byron Bay Writers Festival
A beautiful celebration of stories, ideas and people who love the power of words.
As someone travelling around Australia collecting stories, this one felt particularly special. A must do event held annually in August. I will be back in 2027.
- 🍽️ Ballina Wharf Restaurant
Good food, beautiful surroundings and the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the river. Especially if you like oysters and champaign.
- 🌿 Mullumbimby
Another favourite.
There’s something about the energy of this place that makes you want to slow down and stay a little longer. You definitely have to check out the Banya Bathhouse for a total rest and reset.
🚐 And Then There Were More Adventures…
Of course, Max can’t sit still for too long!
So every couple of days we’d jump in the car and head off somewhere new.
We explored Lennox Head, New Brighton Beach, Casino and Lismore, and the Ballina Sunday Markets quickly became one of our regular stops.
Fresh eggs, oysters. local produce and plenty of good food and coffee.
YUM! 🦪🥚
That’s one of the things I’m loving about this journey. You don’t always need a major tourist attraction to have an adventure.
Sometimes it’s simply getting in the car, following a road you haven’t travelled before and seeing where you end up.
🏉 And, Of Course… There Was Footy!
Because no road trip would be complete without a bit of AFL!
We made our way to the GABA to watch the Hawks take on the Gold Coast Suns.
Travelling doesn't mean you have to give up the things that make you feel at home.
Sometimes you just find them somewhere else.
🚐 Boomerang on the Road – Travel Stats
Odometer: 26,380 km → 28,500 km
Distance travelled: 2,120 km
Stops along the way:
📍 Gold Coast
📍 Lismore
📍 Ballina
📍 Lennox Heads
📍 Byron Bay
And plenty of little detours in between!
Until next time, peeps…
Keep following the sun ☀️
Keep collecting the stories 📖
And keep an eye out for those little signs along the road. 🐴
Boomerang is still on the road! 🚐💨
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