Stop the World I want to get off Words and pictures by Roderick Eime. Additional photography courtesy the Byron at Byron.
THE POOL IN A BEAUTIFUL BUSH SETTING.
When Australia’s Baby Boomers want to get away from it all, they head to Byron Bay. But they don’t leave their hard-earned integrity, status and comforts behind. o one lives for the
delightful alternative seaside village that has
moment anymore,”
“N
John and Lyn were snared by ‘early boomer’ and entrepreneur, Gerry Harvey, to manage his $45
ferociously resisted the tide of development and
laments Lyn Parché,
million resort complex in the eclectic seaside town
commercialism.
manager of the once
of Byron Bay on the New South Wales North
controversial Byron at
Coast.
“people are just consumed with business and
offspring than any town in Australia, Byron Bay is a
businessmen bringing tens of millions of dollars into
materialism these days.”
whacky mix of spaced out surfer types, retirees,
this sleepy little hippy town. Folks were scared we
Byron Resort and Spa,
Lyn and husband John have spent thirty years
With a higher proportion of the post-war
“When we first opened in 2004, elements of the community were very suspicious,” confides Lyn, “here’s one of Australia’s most successful
holidaymakers, affluent mid-lifers and plain old
were bringing the Gold Coast to Byron. That was
in the hospitality business, but their youthful
bums. Despite this seemingly unmanageable
understandable.”
exuberance and enthusiasm belies their extensive
demographic concoction, Byron Bay has
international experience. Classic ‘Baby Boomers’,
developed a world famous reputation as a
Now, three years on, the dramas are all water under the bridge. Condé Naste and just about
APARTMENT-STYLE ACCOMMODATION.
every other magazine has been through the resort
for the region and makes a considerable positive
and declared it one of the country’s gems. Awards
impact through employment, care of the
and accolades have flowed like Bollinger and The
environment and contribution to community
Byron is the toast of the town.
organizations.”
“It wasn’t easy,” continues Lyn, “but we’ve
The Byron at Byron have now added a further
earned their trust and demonstrated our intentions
32 luxury, apartment-style suites, bringing their total
were honorable and responsible. We employ
inventory to 92.
almost 100 locals and bring a lot of business to
Lyn, a self-confessed tree-hugger, has been
Byron that is showing up down the street.
obsessive in maintaining the low impact of the
Hundreds and hundreds of residents signed a
resort on the environment. When Harvey bought
petition in support of us when we wanted to
the land in 2002, he could see the immense
expand our restaurant. That was a touching
potential. Undaunted by local negativity, he pursued
expression and really appreciated.”
his vision of an environmentally harmonious resort
Byron Shire Mayor, Councillor Jan Barham echoes the community’s sentiments, “The Byron at Byron provides a quality 5 star tourism opportunity
that offered a haven of relaxation and therapy to his time-poor and over-stressed generation. Following lavish praise in the world’s luxury
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THE RESTAURANT AT THE BYRON IS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
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Melbourne, the highly regarded Dame Edna
About The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa The Byron at Byron Resort was designed to blend effortlessly with the majestic rainforest which surrounds it. The open plan construction and the wide covered verandahs, furnished with oversized cane lounges and slow turning ceiling fans, evoke a feeling of instant serenity and harmony with the environment. Tranquil water features throughout the resort create ripples of peaceful sound, while lush gardens and rich timbers have the effect of nurturing the soul and delighting the senses. The apartment style rooms are a triumph of modern Australian architecture and include every luxury imaginable, from a king sized bed with choice of feather or foam pillows, to a free-standing bathtub big enough for two. Located five minutes from the heart of Byron Bay and a ten minute walk along the rainforest boardwalk to unspoiled Tallow Beach, The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa also features a 25m heated pool, a sumptuous restaurant operated by award winning chef, Matthew Wild, a lobby shop and tour desk and day spa. For further information on The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, telephone 1300 554 362, or visit www.thebyronatbyron.com.au
Everage from Moonee Ponds, who just adores The Byron. For the first time in history, we were in cordial agreement!” The latest news from the Byron is the successful extension of the award-winning restaurant’s trading license. Previously just servicing in-house guests, ‘The Restaurant at The Byron’ now serves the general public both lunch and dinner seven days a week. Head Chef Gavin Hughes has been with the Resort since the opening. Hughes’s impressive background includes the Aqua Luna (with Darren Simpson), The Bathers Pavilion (with Serge Dansereau) and Aqua Dining (with Jeff Turnbull) in Sydney. Prior to moving to Australia Hughes trained and worked in his homeland of Scotland’s finest restaurants. These include the Michelin starred and AA awarded Inverlochy Castle Hotel, 1 Devonshire Gardens and The Airds Hotel. “Our menu uses the freshest local ingredients and is lovingly planned and prepared,” says Gavin. “The food is light Mediterranean style and based around the best of what’s available locally. And we use Bangalow Sweet Pork, Alstonville chicken, Yamba prawns, Hervey Bay sea scallops and the fish we get is second to none. Right now I’m making a fresh local snapper, pan roasted with yellow zucchini, gazpatcho vinaigrette and vine ripened cherry tomatoes. My other little love is zucchini flowers filled with ricotta and spinach, served with a basil mayonnaise, rocket salad and lemon.” Clearly the resort has now melded successfully with the unusual community of Byron Bay. Lyn, John and Gerry’s lofty vision and expert execution was obviously grossly underestimated by the detractors. Instead of bleached concrete towers and painful glitz, the Byron is a shining, if somewhat camouflaged example of how modern architecture, big business and a loving vision can create a retreat from the pressures of the modern world in a delicate and protective community.
THE HEADLAND WALK.
travel media, the cavalcade of celebrities ultimately followed. Names such as Tara Reid, Barry Humphries, Fred Schepsi, Allan Lamb, Brian Wilson, Lavinia Nixon and Moby have all appeared in the register, some more than once! Clearly it’s not just the individual and free spirited, Baby Boomers who flock to the Byron. The independent and entrepreneurial Generation X seems to approve too. “The resort is a paradise for relaxation where I can recover my spirits with a variety of spa treatments, enjoy the warmth of not only the weather but of the fabulous staff and enjoy the food, comfort and ambience of this luxurious haven,” says Barry Humphries, “When I visited recently, I bumped into an old friend from JOHN AND LYN PARCHE.
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