Rex will provide three return services between Newcastle and Sydney Monday to Friday on a schedule that is convenient for the business traveller wanting to make a day-return trip, as well as those needing to connect on to Rex’s NSW regional network as well as other domestic/international flights.

Saturday and Sunday flights are also provided, making a total of 38 weekly flights between Newcastle and Sydney.

Rex will also commence a new daily return service between Newcastle and Ballina/Byron Bay.

A promotional fully-inclusive one-way web fare of $99 for both Newcastle to Sydney and Newcastle to Ballina will be available from service commencement until Feb 2012.

Rex said it sees substantial growth opportunity between Newcastle and Sydney as the route used to have 100,000 passengers annually, a far cry from today’s 30,000.

Reservations can be made via the internet (www.rex.com.au), phone (13 17 13) or your local travel agent.

Gayathri Sama-rakoon, an author and contributor to Far North Coaster, is presently teaching in Brunei and she sent us these poems from students …

INTRODUCTION

Happy poems are simple lines of poetry which are used for self-expression. They are aimed at encouraging feelings of joy and sometimes are thought-provoking.

These happy poems are from Sekolah Menengah Rimba, a secondary school in Brunei Darussalam which is located on the island of Borneo. English is taught as a foreign language in Brunei by teachers from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada and other countries. The teachers work for CfBT, a worldwide educational charity and consultancy based in the UK. Students in Brunei have a strong awareness of people from other cultures and countries and study English alongside their national language which is Malay. These poems are from students in Years 9 and 10. We hope you enjoy them.

Happy poems!!!
 
The colour Blue makes me happy because it reminds me of the cloudless skies,
Green colour makes me happy because it reminds me of tall green trees,
Pink colour makes me happy because it reminds me of my mother’s rose garden,  
Fried noodles make me happy because it reminds me of my 100-year old grandma,
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY CARE TO SHARE?
- Azmon Ahmad, 9a Rimba
 
Red Roses make me happy because it reminds me of my Ferrari back at home – Diyaulhaq, 5R2 
Melody makes me happy because it reminds me of a ‘flowing’ day – Murni 10E PMB
Swings in the park make me happy because they remind me of my days as a child –  Nabillah, 5R2
The Green fields make me happy because they bring peace to my mind – Farah 5R2
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? CARE TO SHARE?
 
The pink colour makes me happy because it softens my heart with its softness - Nur N’ Matul Sapar, 9sps
Green Koran makes me happy because it brings peace to my mind
Old pianos make me happy as it reminds me of old melodies
Melted brown makes me happy as it reminds me of ‘yummy’ chocolates,
Nor Nazratul- 9sps2
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? CARE TO SHARE?
 
The blue ocean makes me happy because it reminds me of my favorite teen cartoon
Azure skies make me happy because of my peaceful country
A toothy smile makes me happy because it reminds me of my naughty friends – Nur Aidatul Yusuf, 9sps
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY CARE TO SHARE?
 
Saffron yellow makes me happy because it reminds me of SpongeBob’s square pants
Multicolor make me happy because it reminds me of rainbow in a cloudy sky – MD Afiq Hasif 9sps2
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? CARE TO SHARE?
 
Sushi makes me happy because it reminds me of home, memories and ‘a normal day’
Jokes make me happy because it gives me joyful feelings
Stars make me happy because they remind me of life and freedom – Muhammed Hazim Juhari, 9sps2
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? CARE TO SHARE?

Schools make me happy because it makes me think of my future
Drums make me happy because the ‘dum-dum’ beat gives me a boost
Football makes me happy because it reminds me of freedom – Ak Muhd Yahya
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? CARE TO SHARE?
 
‘Boom’ noise makes me happy because it reminds me of my MP3 player
Speed makes me happy because father always drives fast
Candy makes me happy because it reminds me of the ‘sweetness’ of life  
Muhd Wafiuddin Sohari- 9sps2
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? CARE TO SHARE?

Breeze on the beach makes me feel happy because it reminds me of ‘niceness’ of life
Indigo, pink, yellow rainbows make me happy because they remind me of God Almighty
Sound of violins make me happy because think of days alone
Hari Raya makes me happy because it brings me money – Nora Aboulaih, 9SPS 2
SO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? CARE TO SHARE?

PICTURE: Some of the teachers at the school.

From 21 December 2010, Jetstar will operate three times weekly Melbourne-Ballina Byron A320 services on a year-round basis and offer the region its only direct interstate flight.

This new growth follows Jetstar’s recently announced expansion of Sydney-Ballina Byron flying by five more weekly flights to double daily (14 times weekly commencing 2 December) and represents a new high-water mark for Jetstar, offering over 300,000 annual seats for the first time in this market.

Jetstar group chief executive officer Bruce Buchanan said the decision to re-introduce a direct Melbourne service alongside growing Sydney frequencies to Ballina/Byron Bay reflected a renewed confidence in the market and a response to strong regional community and tourism industry support for an interstate air link.

“Jetstar is providing a unique and direct low-fare access from Melbourne literally to the doorstep of the world-renowned and unique tourism offering of Byron Bay, Ballina and the Tweed Coast – with the new flying in place for the summer holiday peak,” Mr Buchanan said.

“These new low-fare flights will appeal to domestic and international customers as Ballina Byron Airport is the closest gateway to Byron Bay and its surrounds.

“We continue to forge a genuine partnership in growth with the Ballina/Byron and Tweed Coast region by delivering more low-fare and hassle-free flying, with Jetstar now its largest airline operation.”

To celebrate its new Melbourne-Ballina Byron service, Jetstar is offering special one-way web fares from $39 for a limited time. Conditions apply, visit Jetstar.com.

Jetstar’s every-day one-way fares start from $79 Sydney-Ballina Byron and $89 Melbourne-Ballina Byron

Jetstar earlier this year also launched the Jetstar Customer Guarantee. As part of its continued focus on innovation for customer benefit, the airline recently introduced first-time Self-Check Kiosk technology at Ballina Byron Bay Airport.

Mayor of Ballina Shire Council Cr Phil Silver welcomed the return of a direct Melbourne service by Jetstar.

“This announcement is a great shot in the arm for our region and our collective response will be overwhelmingly positive – to make these services work and strongly support this growth,” Cr Silver said.

“Recent community engagement with Ballina Shire residents reported heightened interest in a regular Melbourne service to our airport. Jetstar’s future expansion will provide our people with more travel choice and allow our tourism industry to continue to confidently target the key Victorian market.”

Ballina Byron Airport is situated five minutes from Ballina and less than 30 minutes from Byron Bay.

Neil Weatherson, Ballina Byron Airport manager, was delighted to receive a phone call from Jetstar last Friday afternoon announcing the five additional weekly services.

“What a great way to end the week. We’re elated to have even more flights to offer our passengers and it also demonstrates Jetstar’s future confidence in the growth of the Sydney to Ballina-Byron route,” Mr Weatherson said.

“These additional flights coupled with the recently installed self check-in kiosks offer more flexibility and convenience for our customers.”

Simon Westaway, Jetstar’s Head of Corporate Relations, said: “Jetstar has reverted to its strongest market position in the Sydney to Ballina Byron market with this announcement.

“The additional flights will be a new Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday morning service.

“Jetstar will grow its Sydney to Ballina Byron operations by a further 92,000 seats on an annual basis.

“From 2 December, ahead of the busy Christmas and January school holiday period, Jetstar will revert to a double daily return A320 service by permanently raising our flight schedule.

“The Sydney-Ballina route continues to perform ahead of expectation and this capacity growth is clearly warranted. We believe the introduction of these flights are well-timed ahead of the summer peak season and then to provide a consistent twice daily return service with convenient morning and afternoon departure times from both Sydney and Ballina Byron Airport.”

Flight and fare information is available at www.Jetstar.com

The technologically advanced check-in solution, where Jetstar has partnered with IBM Global Business Services, will see three installed self-service kiosks to supplement existing customer check-in processes for the first time at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport.

Airport Manager Neil Weatherson said the new self-service kiosks would further enhance the overall travelling experience at the airport, bringing it in line with major Australian airports which host this popular technology.

“This new facility at the airport takes us to next level of service. Jetstar passengers, whether regular or infrequent flyers, will have the choice to self-check themselves onto their flight, avoid queues and then relax in the terminal prior to travel,” Mr Weatherson said.
 
“I congratulate Jetstar on listening to their customers and introducing this easy-to-use technology here at the local airport.”

J”etstar’s fitout of self-service kiosks at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport will suit all customers with the investment supportive of any projected growth in future flights by better leveraging existing terminal infrastructure.”

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said its self-service kiosks at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport were part of Jetstar’s initiative to deliver a future 100 per cent customer self-service experience incorporating web check-in, processing via kiosk or future use of SMS Boarding Pass technology via people’s mobile phones.

The Resort’s Marketing Manager, Holly Galbraith, attended the presentation.

The luxurious Spa was up against the country’s best and was eclipsed only by Angsana Spa in Palm Cove.

Another local spa, Gaia, was awarded No 5 Spa in Australia.

The Luxury Travel Gold List Awards, now in their sixth year, recognise “’he best travel experiences in the world’.

“I’m just so proud of the team here” said Naomi Quarrell (pictured), Spa Manager at The Byron at Byron.

“We have such a variety of expertise in the Spa and this reaches everybody that walks through our door. It’s humbling to receive such a great award.”

The award for The Byron at Byron comes only a month after receiving the coveted Best Resort Accommodation Award for an accommodation property under 100 rooms in The Australian Travel and Tourism Awards.

Tweed River Crab Catching Cruises
Potting for mud crabs, pumping for yabbies, feeding wild pelicans, throwing out a fishing line – they’re all typical Tweed River experiences which you can try your hand at on a leisurely cruise along the Tweed River and through the Terranora wetlands. We have two operators who offer regular crab catching cruises:
Tweed Endeavour Cruises – www.goldcoastcruising.com
Catch-a-Crab Cruises – www.catchacrab.com.au

River Cruises
Enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Tweed River, via the rainforests of Stotts Island and through the Tweed’s sprawling canefields to the historic riverport of Tumbulgum. Stop along the way to feed the wild birds of prey and keep a close eye out for friendly river dolphins as you learn more about the region from Captain Bill’s commentary. After browsing through the art galleries, craft shops and historical country pub at Tumbulgum, you’ll enjoy a seafood feast onboard as you travel back to the Tweed.
Tweed Endeavour Cruises – www.goldcoastcruising.com

Snorkel with the Turtles
Located approximate 600m offshore from Fingal Head, the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is one of the best-kept secrets along the east coast – home to a large permanent colony of green and loggerhead turtles, and the docile leopard sharks who visit during the summer months. The abundance of marine life also includes bull rays, spotted eagle rays, giant gropers, wobbiegongs and the occasional grey nurse shark, with rock caves and coral gardens adding to the area’s underwater charms. Operators include:
Tweed Snorkelling & Whale Watching – www.tweedoceanadventures.com.au
Kirra Dive – www.kirradive.com (charters by arrangement)

Deep Sea Fishing Charters
The cross-over of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate waters off the Tweed Coast adds up to a huge variety of big game fish. A number of operators offer deep sea fishing charters that head out from the Tweed Marina to the offshore reefs in search of billfish, cobia, mackerel, mahi mahi, tuna, pearl perch, snapper, mullaway and parrot fish. They cater for groups of up to 12 or more, as well as individuals. Operators supply all the necessary bait and tackle, and the required fishing permits.
Cushy Fishing Charters – www.cushyfishingcharters.com.au
Down Under Charters – www.goldcoastfishing.com
Reel Fishn – www.reelfishn.com.au
Seamaster Fishing Charters – www.seamasterfishingcharters.com

Kayaking along Cudgen Creek
Winding through the Tweed Coast wetlands, Cudgen Creek is an important habitat for a wide variety of bird and marine species. The best way to access this wilderness area is on a kayak tour where you might also catch a glimpse of the local river dolphins.
Casuarina Rec Club – www.casuarinarecclub.com.au

Learn to Surf
The Northern NSW coastline is the traditional birthplace of the Aussie surfing legend and Australia’s current world champions, Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore. … so where better to learn to surf like a pro? Local surf schools offer group lessons for beginners, private lessons for experienced surfers, school programs and coaching. The village of Casuarina is also home to Surfing Australia and features their full training facility, which hosts Australia’s first university degree in surfing, Southern Cross University’s Diploma of Sports Management (Surfing Studies) recently voted the ‘sexiest university course in the world’ by FHM Magazine.
Cabarita Beach Surf School / Salty Girls Surf School – www.cabaritabeachsurfschool.com
Casuarina Surf School – www.surfingaustralia.com

Marine Environment Museum
This state-of-the-art facility comprises a visual, inter-active laboratory showcasing 200 preserved marine species. The centre also offers guided field trips to a range of nearby habitats, including coastal relic forests, mangroves, tidal rockpools, wallum healthland, sand dunes, beaches and estuaries.  Located in the North Star Holiday Resort at Hastings Point, the Marine Environment and Field Study Resource Centre represents more than 30 years work by its founders, marine biologist Ted Brambleby and Kerrie Trees.
Marine Environment & Field Study Resource Centre – www.adventureeducation.info

Tropical & Exotic Fruits
Tropical Fruit World and Research Park would have to be the world’s healthiest theme park – comprising the largest range of rare and tropical fruit in the world. More than 500 varieties are grown on the 65-hectare plantation, with some of the more quirky varieties including chocolate pudding fruit, lemon meringue pie fruit, chewing gum fruit, champagne fruit and ice-cream bean. It’s also a great place to introduce kids to tasty exotics such as jak fruit, babacos, papayas, longans and the giant avocadoes. You can also see and feed native Australian and farm animals here.
Tropical Fruit World – www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au

Native Australian Animals and Bird Feeding
Get up close and personal with one of the world’s largest collections of Australian fauna, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, emus and crocodiles. Here you can also learn more about the Mt Warning Wollumbin Caldera at the Australia’s Green Cauldron exhibit and see some of the world’s deadliest snakes in the daily Snakes Alive show. In the morning and late afternoon, feed thousands of colourful lorikeets that fly in.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au

All Creatures Great and Small
Crystal Creek Miniatures is home to an amazing collection of pint-sized animals, including horses, cows, donkeys and more. Even the family dogs are pocket-sized Chihuahuas. In addition to being a working animal stud, they have an entertaining hour-long tour on the valley tractor train and you can finish up by sampling local Down on the Farm beef at the Verandah Café.
Crystal Creek Miniatures & Palmdale Stud – www.minianimals.net

Cycle the Coast
One of the best ways to explore the Tweed Coast is on a bicycle – and the extended cycleway running almost right along the beaches from Kingscliff to Pottsville makes it easy and safe to do just that. Start with breakfast at one of the award-winning cafes lining Kingscliff’s Esplanade ‘eat street’; explore the multi-million dollar Salt and Casuarina developments, stopping for lunch or a snack at a beachfront watering hole; then enjoy the contrast of sleepy seaside villages like Hastings Point, Cabarita and Pottsville which still retain their old-fashioned family holiday charm.
Casuarina Beach Rec Club – www.casuarinabeachrecclub.com.au

Horses & Trail Riding
Saddle up for the adventure horse ride of a lifetime on a three-hour adventure trail ride the spectacular mountain, rainforest and river scenery on a 2500-acre working cattle property. Trail rides include billy tea and damper in a spectacular windblown cave.
Numinbah Valley Adventure Trails – www.numinbahtrails.com.au

Night Vision Wildlife Adventures
Imagine explore the rainforest at night, observing Australia’s native animals in their natural nocturnal habitat. Arguably one of the best uses for military technology found to date, Vision Walks uses night vision goggles to explore Nightcap National Park and the David Fleay Wildlife Park.
Vision Walks – www.visionwalks.com.au

Indigenous Culture
Learn more about the art, culture and lifestyle of our local indigenous community at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. In addition to a fine museum collection and small shop, the complex incorporates a mangrove boardwalk and walking track, taking you via an ancient ceremonial bora ring to the river bank. Open by appointment only.
Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre – www.bigvolcano.com.au

Tours & Day Trips

Rainforest Way (self drive)
The Tweed Valley boasts six National Parks which form part of the World Heritage listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. These include Mt Warning, Border Ranges, Lamington, Springbrook, Nightcap and Mooball. The Rainforest Way is a series of loops and trails connecting the Tweed National Parks with other rainforest areas in Northern NSW and south-east Queensland, all of which feature excellent bushwalking trails, waterfalls, bush swimming holes, spectacular lookouts and barbeque/picnic facilities.
Rainforest Way – www.rainforestway.com.au

Seafood Discovery Trail (self drive)
The Seafood Discovery Trail extends along 35kms of coastline from Currumbin to Cabarita, offering a self-guide itinerary to exploring the rich abundance delivered by the oceans and rivers of the Southern Gold Coast and Tweed regions. Along the way, you’ll discover an unforgettable culinary and activity-based experience, incorporating everything from fine dining restaurants and specialty cafes through to our favourite fish and chip takeaways and fresh seafood co-ops. You can even catch your own ocean harvest on a deep-sea fishing charter or haul in the crab-pots for a feast of local muddies.
Seafood Discovery Trail – www.seafooddiscoverytrail.com.au

Historic Pub Crawl (self drive)
The Tweed Valley is home to some of Australia’s oldest – and quirkiest – country pubs. Here you can drink in stunning views of Mt Warning from the old verandah of the Mt Warning Hotel, soak up the sun at the Bruns, prop up the bar once presided over by Australia’s oldest publican and toast the sun set over the river at the legendary Tumby Pub. Download our self-guided day tour, with maps and full driving directions from the Tweed Tourism website.
Historic Pubs of the Tweed – www.tweedtourism.com.au

Village Day Drive (self drive)
Take a break from the beaches and explore the rural villages and communities of the Tweed Valley. Taking the Murwillumbah turn-off from the Pacific Motorway, stop at Murwillumbah to pick up your maps at the World Heritage Rainforest Centre and to browse the shops and art galleries. You can then head out on a loop circuit to: Crystal Creek (Crystal Creek Miniatures and the Parrot Garden Café), Chillingham (Buck Buchanan’s bush tucker garden tour), Tyalgum (lunch or a coffee stop at Flutterbies), Mt Warning National Park (Lyrebird Track through the rainforest), Mavis’ Kitchen (if you missed lunch at Tyalgum), and back through Murwillumbah to Tumbulgum to finish with a cool drink and great river views at the Tumby Pub.

Tweed Art Trail (self drive)
Introduce your family to the Tweed’s artworks and artists on the Tweed Art Trail, which incorporates a rich tapestry of galleries, artist studios, artist co-ops, workshops and public art displays starting at Point Danger on the NSW/Queensland border and travelling to every corner of the valley.
Brochures available at Tweed Tourism’s Visitor Information Centres in Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, as well as at the Tweed River Regional Gallery

Tweed Valley (escorted)
Award-winning eco tour operator, Australian Wild Escapes, offers full day tours of Australia’s Green Cauldron – named by Tourism Australia as a ‘National Landscape’ and a must-see destinations. These tours take visitors around in and around the remnants of the world’s second largest shield volcano, stopping at quaint river towns, valley villages, national parks and spectacular lookouts.
Australian Wild Escapes – www.australianwildescapes.com

Border Ranges National Park (escorted)
Environmental educator and activist, Lee Scarlett, shares one of the Tweed Valley’s most spectacular hidden secrets taking you off the beaten track to explore the Border Ranges National Park via 4WD, mountain bike and bushwalking tracks through ancient Antarctic beech forests to breathtaking lookouts and stunning land formations on the rim of the Mt Warning Wollumbin Caldera.
The Border Ranges Experience – www.borderrangescentre.com.au

Historic Tweed & Coolangatta Walking Tour (escorted)
Join local resident, Geoff Davis on a scenic & historical fully guided walking tour around the headlands, beaches and streets of the twin towns. Highlights include Greenmount Hill, Point Danger, Duranbah and the Tweed River, Rainbow Bay, Marine Rescue Headquarters at Point Danger with a full description of all the historical events right up to the present day. Geoff also shares the indigenous history of our local Aboriginal tribes and their lifestyles, as well as the beach and surfing culture which makes Tweed Heads the surfing capital of the world and the rock and roll capital of Australia.
Coolangatta Tweed Heads Walking Tour – www.tweedtourism.com.au

Accommodation

Visit our Tweed Heads Accommodation here

A new co-operative marketing website www.riversoflife.com.au launches the Rivers of Life campaign and is being supported by extensive television, print and online  advertising and destination publicity.

It is the biggest marketing initiative in 2009 for Northern Rivers Tourism.

The campaign budget is over $170,000 made up of industry, local government and other stakeholder contributions matched by Northern Rivers Tourism.

It is being supported by Tourism NSW and the NSW Department of Industry and Investment through its Regional Tourism Partnership Funding Program.

The CEO of Northern Rivers Tourism, Russell Mills, said the campaign is targeting experience-seeking travellers.

“We have great experiences to offer in the Northern Rivers. The natural amenity of our World Heritage rainforests, and beaches are enriched by our organic fresh food, regular markets and events, innovative arts scene, and health and wellness experiences. These are the themes we are highlighting in the Rivers of Life campaign,” Mr Mills said.

Over 60 operators from across the region have already come on board to benefit from the joint promotional opportunity.

“riversoflife.com.au features great editorial on regional destinations and experiences, a postcards section encouraging user-generated content and is being supported by the advertising campaign, as well as targeted media releases and media visits,”Mr Mills said.

“The site is designed to take consumers to tactical deals provided by industry partners with one click from the home page and we will track results right from the start.

“It is all about building business for our tourism operators and related business like restaurants, cafes, food producers, day spas and events which all benefit from tourism to our region.

“I am particularly pleased that the website and the campaign has been conceived and executed in this region and what has been achieved is outstanding.” 

The other major activity for Northern Rivers Tourism is the Tourism Symposium coming up on 19 and 20 October, at which over 100 delegates will be attending to network, develop new skills and hear from experts on a range of topics relevant to tourism.

The new arrangements follow Australia’s recent ratification of the Montreal Convention. This multilateral agreement includes new, tougher liability regimes for:

• The death or injury of a passenger;
• The loss or damage to a passenger’s baggage;
• The loss or damage to a freight shipment; and
• Delays to the scheduled arrival of a passenger, baggage or freight.

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Every year almost six million Australians travel overseas.

“Now each of them can do so confident that in the unlikely event that the unthinkable happens, they or their families will be financially compensated.

“Under the Convention, airlines can be required to compensate passengers for all proven damages. This compares to the old system where compensation was commonly capped at an amount set in the 1920s in a currency that no longer exists.

“The compensation cap has been removed entirely in the case of death or injury.

“Some 86 countries have already ratified the Convention, including most major destinations for Australian travellers. The US, Japan, China and New Zealand did so in 2003, while the UK and most European Union countries signed on in 2004.

“The fact Australia has only now signed up to the stronger protections afforded under the Montreal Convention – a decade after it was negotiated – is yet another example of the previous government turning its back on the international community to the detriment of Australians.

“The Convention was negotiated in 1999, is administered by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and applies to flights between signatory countries.”

For more information: www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/international/liability.aspx

The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa

Other winners in the prestigious awards included the Bay of Fires Walk in Tasmania for ‘Best Eco Wilderness Experience’ and Vibe Savoy Hotel in Melbourne for ‘Best Value Accommodation’.

This is the fourth major award The Byron at Byron has received in 2009.

The resort featured in the ‘Top 10’ in both the Best Australian Resort and Best Australian Spa categories in Luxury Travel and Style Magazine’s Gold List for 2009.

Now in its fifth year, the Gold List is one of the most comprehensive luxury travel surveys ever undertaken by an Australian magazine and is widely accepted as Australia’s premier travel awards.

If that was not enough, the resort has also just won Leading Hotel/Resort (International) in the Travel Digest Industry awards.

Nominated by readers of the celebrated monthly industry magazine, they were voted for by over 6000 readers. 

Whilst 40 per cent of the resort’s business is repeat business, the majority of the remaining 60 per cent are first-time visitors to Byron Bay.

“These people are only just now discovering what makes the region so special,” said The Byron at Byron’s General Manager Lyn Parche.

“They usually spend a good deal of their visit discovering villages like Bangalow, Mullumbimby and Lennox Head.”

The Byron at Byron’s investment in international marketing has had spin-off effects for the region, according to Northern Rivers Tourism CEO Russell Mills.

“Lyn Parche and her team have put Byron Bay on the map as a holiday destination for discerning travellers around the world,” he said.

“Their commitment to client satisfaction goes well beyond their own property, as they actively promote the town, the surrounding attractions and the wider region. These accolades are well-deserved.”

PICTURE: Lyn Parche and resort marketing manager Holly Galbraith.