By Amber Jesson
Oh, Byron Bay! How you have my heart. There’s a calmness here, a gentle peace that settled in my soul as I watched the sun rise above the horizon line on my first morning. Shades of pink, lilacs, and the lightest hues of baby blue. Sounds like a dream, right? Byron Bay has always been recognised for its serenity. A small coastal town that embraces mindfulness, reflected in its friendly locals, thriving yoga and wellness culture, healthy-eating spots, and laid-back surfer lifestyle.
I was staying at Wake Up! Byron, a gorgeous beachside hostel with a swimming pool, outdoor
bar, free surfboards to rent and an atmosphere that gave me no choice but to simply…
relax.
Sitting only a 15-minute walk from the town centre (or a 5 minute free shuttle bus), the location of the hostel provided a calming presence away from the main hustle and bustle of Byron town. It was easy enough to travel in for the boujee clothes shops, markets, cute jewellery making shops and of course – a smoothie stop – but also far away enough that it was peaceful, with plenty of good spots to set up and sunbathe on the beach.
In the last few years, self-care and mindful practices have been something I’ve tried to integrate into my daily life, but I didn’t realise how ESSENTIAL they were to my wellbeing until I began travelling. The backpacker life is one of such excitement. Days are filled with new people and places, and you’re constantly on the move. The daily routine you’re used to at home is far from your mind as you focus on this new and exciting lifestyle.
And as important as it is to embrace travelling with open arms, it’s also good to slow down, think and process. To take the time for yourself to reconnect. Byron was without a doubt that place for me. And it looked a little something like this…
6AM Cape Byron Sunrise
Mornings in Byron always start early! With the birds as my alarm clock, most coffee shops
opening their doors at 6am and the local surfers catching those early morning waves, I
adopted a similar routine to make the most of my time in this gorgeous little beach town.
Without a doubt, my favourite early morning activity was watching the sunrise at Cape
Byron lighthouse. Iconic for being situated on the most easterly point of mainland
Australia, it is a truly special way to begin your day.
Visiting with a group of girls I was travelling with, we found it such a beautiful spot to just sit and reflect on our Australia journeys so far. We’d each travelled from all over the world from different backgrounds, cultures and with our own stories to tell. Yet, we were all here together, sharing the sunrise in Byron Bay. It felt like a really special moment – one we shared hugging each other as we watched the sunrise one morning. There were definitely a few tears in there too!
We even saw a pod of dolphins and a group of humpback whales swim by, making the long migration back to the colder waters of Victoria. I honestly couldn’t believe that this was now real life.
7AM Lighthouse Walk & Wategos
From the lighthouse, there is a walking trail that takes you back through the rainforest and
across the cliff tops to return back to town – just in time for breakfast.
The walk only takes around one and a half hours and is considered moderately challenging, but well worth it! One of my favourite sections of the walk is the cut through to ‘Wategos Beach’, a tiny residential area separated from the main town. It’s one of my favourite beaches in Australia – so picturesque and calm and the perfect way to spend a wholesome morning in Byron Bay.
8AM Breakfast at Treehouse
After the walk back to the hostel, It was time to refuel with a healthy, nourishing breakfast. My favourite place to go was Treehouse Byron – easily the cutest cafe and restaurant in Byron, in my opinion – which conveniently sits right next door to the WakeUp! Byron Bay.
I would typically take my journal or a good book, sit in their comfy lounge sofas and enjoy some ‘me’ time, whilst I ate a good breakfast. Trust me, during the fun and chaos of travelling, finding those small moments of quiet for yourself is so beneficial. I enjoyed Treehouse’s relaxed and welcoming vibe and all the nourishing brekkie options on the menu – I tried a few! My go-to was their granola bowl and freshly squeezed orange juice – SO yummy and refreshing.
9AM Yoga
There is just something about Byron that gives you the ability to feel so relaxed and so
energised at the same time. You’d think after an early morning and a long walk, I’d be
tired – but no! I always felt like I had even more energy to give. So, I would make the most of the hostel’s free, daily 1-hour morning yoga sessions inside their yoga tent, fully equipped with yoga mats, blocks and straps. Each morning our instructor addressed the group before the session, to check in with how our bodies and minds were feeling. Her approach was to tailor the practice to the group’s needs, mindful of what would make the session most beneficial to us.
I’ve always enjoyed yoga, as a way to get my body moving and my mind to quieten. In Byron it was a great way to reconnect with myself, with purposeful movement and reflective meditation, as well as an opportunity to make friends and meet the other hostel guests in the classes.
11AM Refresh and Relax
After a mindful and wholesome morning, I enjoyed nothing more than spending my afternoon relaxing by the hostel pool and enjoying the cocktails served in the outdoor bar area! A good book, a game of volleyball, catching up with new friends or simply trying to do handstands in the pool, seemed to be a typical sunny Byron Bay afternoon.
7PM Sunset Swim
There simply is no better feeling than going for a sunset swim. Walking down the small
sandy pathway in front of our hostel directly to the beach, I loved nothing more than the
urge to run and dive into the waves! It became my daily physical and mental reset. Jump
into the waves, go for a swim and watch as the colours in the sky turn from red to purple
to the deepest blue. I felt so relaxed, like the earth was giving me the biggest embrace.
Some evenings, we’d bring down blankets to sit on, order takeaway pizza and just enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with the end of the day.
In the fast paced nature of travelling, it’s essential to find these little moments to slow
down and recharge. Wake Up! created the perfect environment for me to do just that
with its vibrant, yet peaceful atmosphere. Whether you are enjoying a morning yoga
session, a walk down to the beach or relaxing by the pool, waking up here is an invitation
to embrace true relaxation.
Book your stay at Wake Up! Byron Bay direct for the best rates & flexible bookings.
About Amber Jesson
Amber is a 27 year old creative from Warwickshire, England. Arriving in Australia in January 2024, Amber has spent the past year travelling the East Coast on a Working Holiday Visa. During her time in Australia, she has lived in Noosa and Sydney and taken groups of travellers up the East Coast hitting all the best spots through her work as a tour guide. She is passionate about art, photography and travel and loves sharing her travel stories with other fellow travellers!