“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”
Always wondered if you could be an artist? Travelling to Byron Bay? Here is your chance!
Byron Bay Art Work Shop is offering many different 3 day workshops running for the next 6 months or so. They state All Levels of experience welcomed Art tuition with renowned artists and TAFE teachers Contemporary, Traditional, Technical and PLAYFUL “If you can pick up a brush you can paint !” The classes run 9-4 daily. For a bit of flexibility- several of the workshops can be attended for only one day.
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Doing the drive Sydney to Brisbane? There are several fun things worth seeing. One thing is Fredo Pies and ice creams. Home of the famous crocodile pies. Located in In Frederickton NSW, they are on the west side of the Pacific Highway. While the Aussies are famous for their savory/meat pies, Fredo had sweet ones too. We sampled the caramel one. Yum! In addition to the food offerings…a life size replica of our lady Marylin Monroe is just waiting for you to stop and take her picture! …
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What a beautiful spot. Totally quiet and picturesque- this hill top winery in the New England country side of NSW is a definite must do if you are in the region.
The property is a family legacy. Generations of the Reid family have lived on the land and added their mark to the house renovations. The tasting room is now in what was known as the nanny’s room. The wines- like the land are a living family tree. The white wines are named in honor of the historical matriarchs of the family, and reds after the literal forefathers.
Cool climate wines, they do tend to be a bit on the sweet side- but are completely enjoyable. The whites are absolutely perfect for the hot Aussie summers. I bought nearly a mixed case and took them to some unsuspecting friends of mine at a gathering in Byron. The Doctors Nose wines were all extremely well received.
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Going to be near Armidale Friday October 27-29th? Ready for some laughs? Armidale Ex-Services Memorial Club is hosting the Armidale Women’s Comedy Festival! www.womenscomedyaustralia.com
With titles like “What the Frock do we know…Now,” The festival features several local women along with national acts. The main events are Friday and Saturday with the Gala Comedy show Saturday at 8:00 pm. Sunday sees a few nippers (kids) give stand up comedy a go along with a Kids Comedy Circus. The evening shows look to be adult oriented but certainly Sunday looks to be a family friendly event. Tickets range from $12 each to $55 for a festival pass. Put on by Regional Arts and Regional Flagship events- it promises to be full of laughs!
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The Newport Arms is a Northern Beaches institution. A massive rambling “Hotel” or huge pub/bistro. ‘The Arms’ also has accommodation and overlooks Pittwater Bay on the west side of the Northern Beaches Penninsula. An ideal spot for Sunday Afternoon drinks, the outdoor area is enjoyable.
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Each year from mid September through January the Thursday Plantation hosts the East Coast Sculpture Show. This year for the 11th year running…around 70 recent works are displayed in a unique outdoor exhibition. The Exhibit is open 7 days a week 9-5. this is touted as “an exciting award winning exhibition of fine Australian contemporary sculpture set amongst a botanical and rainforest garden”. There are permanent installations and works on loan from regional artists.
Thursday Plantation is the worlds first Tea Tree Plantation and laboratory. …
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Glen Innes- disappointing- a decent mid size country town and the home of the Celtic Standing Stone Monument. Worth a stop but - drive the extra hour and stay in Tenterfield or Inverell.
Inverell- very cute- fossicking (essentially panning for gold or semi precious stones) and natural attractions dominate the tourist scene here. I spoke to lots of people and they all said it is an extremely vibrant place with lots of festivals, events, and plenty to do. I stayed at the Inverell Motel- right in the heart of town. Convenient and adequate accommodation- budget rooms were $56. Grocery stores, pubs, boutique shops, and a really cute book store/café kind of dominated the CBD. A good place to stock up and refresh before moving further afield.
Emmaville- a very small village. Scenic- a secluded community but the drive was nice, some dirt roads, a couple of pubs, a general store and a few other things to see. Definitely an off the beaten path country town.
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Byron Bay is great. But honestly- if you want a real Aussie north coast experience I would suggest the following.
Start in Byron for a day or two for the crazy backpacker party scene. Byron is a party mecca without being too plastic. You can take surf lessons and have your chakras worked on, eat organic food and buy designer frocks. Then- to unwind head 14 K’s south to Lennox Head. Barely more than a strip of houses and café’s- it is scenic and relaxed. The surf beach is great and the whales and dolphins are visible from land.
After a day or so in Lennox Head- for a real true country/coastal town experience- head to Maclean (on the mouth of the Clarence Valley River) and coastal Yamba.
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The Snowy Mountains are in the Southern part of New South Wales. They are the home of the highest peak in OZ, and are a region worth exploring during all seasons. A Brumby is a wild horse. A lot that see themselves and “battlers”, the Aussies love their highly independent bands of wild horses. If you’ve haven’t yet- you should watch the classic The Man From Snowy River an entertaining flick, it embodies the feelings of outback frontier Australia and also showcases the romantic view of the horses. ‘Mountain bred and mountain born’ I think the famous line from the movie (which is based on a poem) goes.
About 15 minutes down the Alpine Way heading west from Jindabyne (Jindy) is the Wildbrumby Schnappery. Amongst the barren rock strewn Snowy mountain foothills- this little oasis has free tastings, continental cafe, artists studio and a sculpture garden. There’s a saying if it holds still long enough- the Swiss will try to shnapp it. Well I’m pretty sure Monika was Austrian and Brad Australian- but you get the picture. Regardless of pedigree. They have formed a world class schnappery with many varieties to chose from.
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A trip up the Northern Beaches is not complete without a trip to Avalon. Famous for the worlds slowest pedestrians- Avalon works on its own sense of time. Unconcerned and unhurried pedestrians wreak havoc with the local traffic. A spectacular place to watch the ensuing pandemonium of overly polite drivers and unrushed pedestrians is from Café Ibiza.
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