Mister Christopher
01-12-2005, 08:02 AM
Okay, i just got back from Schoolies a couple of days ago, thought i'd leave behind some of my massive wisdom for you guys to use. First, make sure you know you can stand the people you are going with. Chances are you'll be living together for a week or more. In ym group of 3, we managed, though a couple of times things got a little strained. In one of my mates groups, there were a couple of people who didn't get along too well, ended up with one getting punched in the nose and a glass table being broken. Alcohol only makes things worse in that kind of conflicting environment.
As far as places to go in Byron is concerned, my tips are thus.
Best pub: The Rails (i think thats the exact name). A little way down the road from the beach, near the railway station, this pub had live music from some talented acoustic guitarists every night. Some original stuff and some covered stuff, but it was great to chill and have a beer with some good music in the background. Beer isn't overpriced, Happy Hour saw pints cheaper than pots, but when it isnt happy hour it's not cheap. The outside area is mostly undercover, the inside area wasn't up to much, but as the outside part could seat well over 50, thats where you stay. Also they serve food and have a good selection of beer not on tap as well as the tapped stuff.
Best Restraunt: The Hog's Breath (i think thats right? the Hog's something) opposite the Beach Hotel serves awesome food at reasonable prices. You pay no more there than you would expect to at a restraunt in Melbourne, and for those who like steak, burgers, and so on, all the staples of Australian cuisine, this place was awesome. I am a big fan of calamari, and all i can say is that this place has the ebst calamari i have ever eaten. But the Macho Nachos with Chicken are completely amazing. Friendly staff and a nice atmosphere make this the best restraunt i visited.
Best Club: Cheeky Monkeys. Called a party bar, and thats what it is. The night starts off with doors open at 7, serving very cheap but pretty good meals. Then, there are pub games and stuff, usually the prize being a jug of beer. Music at this time is good, ACDC and Men At Work and Cold Chisel and so on. Then, at around 9 o'clock, they start up the music, the front 3 tables are cleared as well as the stage at the front of the place, and everyone gets up on tables to dance. While we were there they had a wet T shirt competition, and they have other events, but the nights to go are Friday and Saturday when the place is packed with backpackers and schoolies. Expensive drinks and entry fee, but the atmosphere is great, the music strategy is even better, playing a couple of rnb hip hop crap (my opinion) then just as you though about going home because the music sucked, you get Living on a Prayer or Land Down Under iun the middle of a nightclub rnb set... Cheeky Monkeys is more than a normal nightclub, it is a damn good night out if you go on the friday or saturday, when it gets pretty crowded. Only thing is, you need tomake sure you are over 18 and pretty sober or you will get turned away. Arrive early (like 9-10) or you will have a long wait to get inside. Once inside, stay there until you want to leave.
Best Beach: Byron main beach. The waves are not huge, but for swimming or elaxing, this place is watched by lifeguards, has lots of other people there, we found some people running a beach volleyball and soccer tournament. Nicely sheltered, when its sunny this beach has plenty fo sand for everyone, and is right next to the Beach Hotel and Fishheads, for food and refreshments after a hard day on the beach.
Also, the lighthouse walk, the most eastern point in Australia, has some awesome views, on a sunny day it would be amazing, even while cloudy it was well worth the trip there. The theme parks are just a 1 1/2 hour drive up the coast, if you have a car, and at night, the bit of grass between the Beach Hotel and the actual Beach gets filled with underage scholies loking to so******e. If you are uinderage, most places in Byron are pretty strict on ID, but people tend to hang out on that grassy area, its not bad for walking around meeting other schoolies, but still doesn't compare to ebing oevrage and going out on the town.
That's my tips on Schoolies at Byron Bay from 2005, things may have changed by 2006, but overall BYron was nice and relaxed, laid back, and thats what appealed to me. The parties in Surfers looked wilder, but for kicking back and enjoying yourself for schoolies, Byron was awesome.
As far as places to go in Byron is concerned, my tips are thus.
Best pub: The Rails (i think thats the exact name). A little way down the road from the beach, near the railway station, this pub had live music from some talented acoustic guitarists every night. Some original stuff and some covered stuff, but it was great to chill and have a beer with some good music in the background. Beer isn't overpriced, Happy Hour saw pints cheaper than pots, but when it isnt happy hour it's not cheap. The outside area is mostly undercover, the inside area wasn't up to much, but as the outside part could seat well over 50, thats where you stay. Also they serve food and have a good selection of beer not on tap as well as the tapped stuff.
Best Restraunt: The Hog's Breath (i think thats right? the Hog's something) opposite the Beach Hotel serves awesome food at reasonable prices. You pay no more there than you would expect to at a restraunt in Melbourne, and for those who like steak, burgers, and so on, all the staples of Australian cuisine, this place was awesome. I am a big fan of calamari, and all i can say is that this place has the ebst calamari i have ever eaten. But the Macho Nachos with Chicken are completely amazing. Friendly staff and a nice atmosphere make this the best restraunt i visited.
Best Club: Cheeky Monkeys. Called a party bar, and thats what it is. The night starts off with doors open at 7, serving very cheap but pretty good meals. Then, there are pub games and stuff, usually the prize being a jug of beer. Music at this time is good, ACDC and Men At Work and Cold Chisel and so on. Then, at around 9 o'clock, they start up the music, the front 3 tables are cleared as well as the stage at the front of the place, and everyone gets up on tables to dance. While we were there they had a wet T shirt competition, and they have other events, but the nights to go are Friday and Saturday when the place is packed with backpackers and schoolies. Expensive drinks and entry fee, but the atmosphere is great, the music strategy is even better, playing a couple of rnb hip hop crap (my opinion) then just as you though about going home because the music sucked, you get Living on a Prayer or Land Down Under iun the middle of a nightclub rnb set... Cheeky Monkeys is more than a normal nightclub, it is a damn good night out if you go on the friday or saturday, when it gets pretty crowded. Only thing is, you need tomake sure you are over 18 and pretty sober or you will get turned away. Arrive early (like 9-10) or you will have a long wait to get inside. Once inside, stay there until you want to leave.
Best Beach: Byron main beach. The waves are not huge, but for swimming or elaxing, this place is watched by lifeguards, has lots of other people there, we found some people running a beach volleyball and soccer tournament. Nicely sheltered, when its sunny this beach has plenty fo sand for everyone, and is right next to the Beach Hotel and Fishheads, for food and refreshments after a hard day on the beach.
Also, the lighthouse walk, the most eastern point in Australia, has some awesome views, on a sunny day it would be amazing, even while cloudy it was well worth the trip there. The theme parks are just a 1 1/2 hour drive up the coast, if you have a car, and at night, the bit of grass between the Beach Hotel and the actual Beach gets filled with underage scholies loking to so******e. If you are uinderage, most places in Byron are pretty strict on ID, but people tend to hang out on that grassy area, its not bad for walking around meeting other schoolies, but still doesn't compare to ebing oevrage and going out on the town.
That's my tips on Schoolies at Byron Bay from 2005, things may have changed by 2006, but overall BYron was nice and relaxed, laid back, and thats what appealed to me. The parties in Surfers looked wilder, but for kicking back and enjoying yourself for schoolies, Byron was awesome.