Léa St. Arnault

Léa Like Leia

A Quick Note

I am not the best writer. This is a personal blog and collection of travel stories, personal quips, thoughts and ideas.

Most of what you are about to read is very informal, and some very raw (I’m not keen to proofread and edit my work). I’ve never been one for journalling as I don’t always have the patience to sit down and write, but I do often have a never ending thread of thoughts running through my mind. And at the very few times I remember to write anything down, I feel that it barely captures everything that I am thinking of even while typing.

Some items you can peruse may be personal ideas, inspirations, or even troubles that run through my mind that I try to type into my phone while sitting at the beach or walking through the park.

Please be patient and kind.
Hopefully you find something to enjoy :D

Byron Bay

Byron Bay. The first thing most Australians will tell you is that it is a tourist trap or too touristy now. But as a tourist and traveller I still had to check it out.

First off Byron is beautiful, regardless of how many tourists there are. Just don’t expect to meet a lot of Australians, especially if you are a backpacker. Lots of travellers on work holiday visas look for work in Byron if they want the warm weather, beaches, and surf. But that doesn’t mean you won’t meet great people! I met some fantastic people in Byron that were all fellow travellers.

Getting to Byron is fairly easy as you can take a bus in either direction, lots of people came from either Brisbane or Sydney. I stayed at the Arts Factory Hostel, but there are many good hostels! Even though I didn’t chose my hostel (Mojo Surf booked it for me, as I was doing a surf camp and starting in Byron) I still think I would’ve chosen the Arts Factory, or it would have at least been a high contender on places to stay. It matched my energy a bit more. Quite laid back, mostly uses the outdoor spaces and feels like you are in nature. The main downside was being a little further from town and the beaches then other hostels (10-15 min walk) but it was still easy enough to get to if you are someone like me who likes to walk anyways.

I feel like my experience in Byron was a little different compared to most people who just go to travel and chill. As mentioned, I was in a surf camp, but it didn’t stop me from getting to experience Byron. How I spent my time included surfing (can do this even without a surf camp, just go and hire a board near the beach!), hanging out at the beach, walk through the Main Street and chunk of town and go in and out of the shops, and went to Drag & Dine at the Balcony Bar. If you are in Byron on a Monday night, go check out the Talent Show at the Arts Factory, free for anyone who is staying there but $5 cover for anyone else that is in town. It’s an awesome show of anyone around Byron that wants to share and perform. There were many talented singers performing when I was there. It’s just a cool thing to do and experience with all the other travellers and locals in town.

One thing I didn’t get to do and wish I did, was the hike to the lighthouse. I believe this is the most easterly point in Australia. It has some beautiful views that i missed out on. It would also be a fantastic sunrise viewing location, so next time I swing by Byron Bay it will be on my list of things to do (maybe not the sunrise part, as I am more of a sunset girlie)

Overall I have fond memories of Byron, I will probably head back to spend some more time there once I make a bit more money and have my own car.

Heading to the beach to check the conditions before surfing.

day two, finally standing up!

TravelLea StArnaultTravel, Australia, Things to do, surfing, byron bay