On The Road: Alternative living at its best in Australia
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Prompted by a sign on the way to the beach, I decide to treat myself to a yoga lesson. There's nothing that strange about my yoga teacher having a partner who reads tarot cards – it's that kind of place. What is strange, though, is the fact that I'm sitting in front of said tarot reader 30 minutes after my first yoga lesson, despite my usual scorn for such things
My cynicism disappears amazingly quickly as parts of my character (and not the best parts at that) are laid bare. It is a strange and somewhat surreal experience and I leave on slightly shaky legs, desperately in need of one of the town's renowned organic coffees.
Byron Bay, 750km north of Sydney, is one of life's oddities. Here the rich live alongside earthy, back-to-nature types. Throw into the mix the backpackers and surfers who make regular pilgrimages to this effortlessly laid-back east coast town and you have a combination which just shouldn't work; and yet it does. No one here cares who you are or what you do – it's about the sort of person you are inside. (And if, like me, you still haven't figured that out, there are plenty of people who'll take your Australian dollars and tell you). There are no high-rise hotels nor fast food chains here – it's alternative, spiritual and organic living at its best.
I guess it shouldn't come as surprise, then, that as I sit watching the sun set over the beach, sipping my Byron Bay Ale (even the beer in this town is "naturally brewed using nature's finest ingredients"), I realise that I too have fallen under its spell. My good intentions of exploration and adventure (a tandem flight over the beach, or trying my hand at surfing perhaps) remain nothing more than good, but unfulfilled, intentions.
Disappointed? Far from it. I leave Byron refreshed and reinvigorated, and keeping my eye open for that tall, dark, handsome Kiwi I've been promised.
Footprint's East Coast Australia (£13.99) is available now
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments