BYRON BAY The popular holiday destination is turning into a meetings and events hotspot

Beautiful Byron Bay is more than a popular holiday destination. Its expanding range of venues is turning it into the place to go for meetings, events and conferences, writes Diana Plater.

I magine arriving to a field full of hippies wearing flower garlands in their hair, as the smell of local organic produce grilled on open fires wafts through the air. Rainforest foliage cascades from the peak of giant teepee structures. Gypsies read tarot cards and apply henna tattoos as buskers and jungle drummers entertain.

The Nouveau Byron Bohemian Festival could only have been in Byron Bay in northern NSW. It was created for a client by Ron Anderson, CEO of the Unicorn Group, who pronounces Byron Bay his favourite place in Australia.

The epicentre of all that is New Age chic and cool is also rapidly becoming known as one of the best venues in the country for events and conferences. Being such a creative hub, amazing local artisans routinely collaborate at venues and properties, and in the catering, unique entertainers, flowers and styling an event may need.

Anderson says: “To share with delegates that overwhelming energy and feeling I have for the place is really exciting and satisfying.”

Tom Lane, owner of The Farm Byron Bay, a venue, restaurant and collection of micro-farming businesses, agrees with Anderson, saying the town has one of the highest success rates of new businesses “all trying to give it a go and do it differently”.

The Byron Business Events Bureau has been formed to support this growing interest in the area as a conference and business events destination. The area has venues ranging from worldclass resorts at opposite ends of town – Elements of Byron Resort & Spa and The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa – to sophisticated, smaller options in the stunningly beautiful hinterland.

Eclectic mix

With two airports (Ballina and Gold Coast) nearby, not only is it easily accessible, but its natural beaches and forests provide the perfect conditions and backdrops for activities ranging from surfing lessons to hot air ballooning, kayaking, whale watching, circus arts and cooking to Indigenous tours and walks.

While barefoot hitchhikers in tie-dye clothes still hold up signs to Nimbin,

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02 01 The Byron at Byron can cater for groups of various sizes 02 Elements at Byron offers a host of breakout areas