Living in a Pocket of Culture

I live in a beautiful, interesting place. Byron Bay is apparently the second most visited place in NSW. Visit NSW lists Byron as:

“Byron Bay is Australia's easternmost town and 'style capital' of the North Coast. It's a place of outstanding natural beauty, set against lush volcanic hills.

 Byron Bay's natural credentials are impeccable as humpback whales cruise past the headland, storms create rainbows on the mountains across the bay, hang-gliders ride the thermals above the lighthouse. Australia's most easterly point casts a spell over everyone who goes there.

 Over the past two decades, Byron Bay has become an escape for urban refugees, and especially those with artistic inclinations. Architects, designers, craftworkers and software engineers have set up shop, grafting their talents and energy on to this small, relaxed coastal village. Today Byron Bay is a chic seaside town with glorious beaches, a New Age tinge and loads of style.”

What I love most about Byron is that we attract some of the top names in music, literature and art.  Often you will see big name acts listing events in Sydney, Melbourne and Byron Bay.  For example, Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame, visited Sydney, Adelaide, Airley’s Inlet and Byron Bay.

We also have amazing music events like BluesFest.  Last weekend I stood just metres from The Waterboys, Hozier, Boy and Bear and lots more. This weekend I’m going to the French Film Festival.

Byron also is a wonderful place for writers. Not only can you sit and gaze at pristine beaches or lush mountains whilst brainstorming great ideas or sit in café’s whilst drinking the world’s best coffee (sorry, no apologies for that grand statement, we have fantastic coffee), you can be a member of a fabulous Writer’s Centre, the Northern Rivers Writers Centre (NRWC).

NRWC runs arguably the most loved writers festival in Australia, the Byron Bay Writers Festival.  If you’ve never been, add it to your bucket list. It’s held in August by the beach amongst the gum trees in open-air marquees.  Absolutely magical.

I love being part of such a vibrant culture-focused community. I’d love to hear about where you live.  Does your community actively support the arts?

If you happen to be in Byron in May, I’m running an Introduction to Romance Writing workshop through NRWC.  It’s being held on Saturday, 23 May from 10am – 4pm. 

For more information, or to book, visit the NRWC website.