Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

AUSTRALIA’S HOLIDAY COAST 193
Sanctuary Motor Inn Resort If you like animals, you’ll love this animalsanctuary/guesthouse
complex 2km (1 1 ⁄4 miles) south of town. Wandering
around the grounds are wallabies, kangaroos, peacocks, and several species of
native birds. The rooms are comfortable, with the more expensive rooms being
larger and more recently renovated. The executive room comes with a spa.
Pacific Hwy., Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450. & 02/6652 2111. Fax 02/6652 4725. phciscato@hotmail.com.au.
38 units. A$88 (US$57) standard double; A$94 (US$60) superior double; A$150 (US$98) executive double.
Extra person A$15 (US$9.75). Holiday surcharges A$25 (US$16). Ask about lower rates through Aussie auto
clubs.AE, DC, MC,V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; large outdoor pool; tennis and squash courts; mini golf; spa;
sauna; room service 7–9am and 6–8pm; coin-op laundry. In room: A/C, TV with free satellite channels, kitchen
(4 units), fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer.
WHERE TO DINE
Seafood Mama’s ITALIAN/SEAFOOD This charming and informal
award-winning Italian restaurant packs a mean barbecue seafood dish of octopus,
prawns, fish, calamari, and mussels. Also on the menu in this rustic, bottles-hanging-from-the-ceiling
Italian joint are some well-regarded veal and steak
dishes, and plenty of pastas. Seafood Mama’s is right on the ocean, near the Pelican
Beach and the older Nautilus resorts, 7km (4 1 ⁄2 miles) north of Coffs Harbour.
The restaurant will do takeout and deliver to your hotel.
Pacific Hwy. & 02/6653 6733. Reservations recommended. Main courses A$13–A$25 (US$8.45–US$16).
AE, DC, MC, V. Tues–Sat 6–10pm.
BYRON BAY: A BEACH BOHEMIA
78km (48 miles) SE of Murwillumbah
As the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, the sun’s rays hit Byron
before anywhere else. This geographical position is good for two things: you can
spot whales migrating north in June and July, and it’s attractive to the town’s
“alternative” community. Painters, craftspeople, glass blowers, and poets are so
plentiful they almost fall from the macadamia nut trees. The place is loaded with
float tanks, “pure body products,” beauty therapists, and massage centers.
Though it attracts squadrons of backpackers each summer to its party scene and
dance clubs, many of the locals stay at home, sipping their herbal tea and preparing
for the healing light of the coming dawn. Families love Byron Bay for the
beautiful beaches, and surfers flock here for some of the best surfing in the
world.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE If you’re driving up the north coast, leave the Pacific
Highway at Ballina and take the scenic coast road via Lennox Head. It’s around
10 hours by car from Sydney (790km/490 miles) and 2 hours (200km/124
miles) south of Brisbane. Regional Express airline (www.regionalexpress.com.au)
flies from Sydney to Ballina. The round-trip costs about A$280 (US$182).
Byron Bus Transfers (& 02/6681 3354) meets all flights and transfers to
Byron Bay for A$20 (US$13) single and A$35 (US$23) return. Coolangatta
airport is 1 hour north of Byron Bay (112km/69 miles). Countrylink (& 13
22 32 in Australia) runs daily trains from Sydney to Byron Bay; the one-way fare
is A$98 (US$64) for adults and A$47 (US$31) for children, and the trip takes
12 3 ⁄4 hours. Greyhound-Pioneer (& 13 20 30 in Australia) buses from Sydney
take 13 1 ⁄2 hours; the one-way coach fare is A$69 (US$45).
ORGANIZED TOURS FROM SYDNEY An unusual way to get to Byron is
on a 5-day surf safari from Sydney with Surfaris (& 1800/634 941 in Australia;