Welcome to the July issue of Byron Bytes. We look forward to welcoming you to the Resort over the winter months to experience a different side of Byron Bay.

Whale watching season, Byron Bay Writer's Festival and music festival Splendour in the Grass, all happen over winter along with the regular weekly craft markets and growers markets. See you soon.

Blue skies and good health to you.

NEW WINTER MENU

With the change of the season comes another fabulous new menu in The Resturant at The Byron at Byron (formerly Wild at Byron). With Gerry Harveys own Wagyu Beef featuring heavily on the dinner menu including Potato & rosemary gnocchi, slow braised wagyu beef shin w/ garden peas & parmesan or perhaps the Char-grilled Wagyu rump with roasted garlic mash and onion jus takes your fancy. Wagyu (meaning 'Japanese cattle') gains its high reputation from it's succulent texture and the unique marbling of fat that gives this beef a flood of flavour.   

To check out the new winter Dinner Menu please visit www.thebyronatbyron.com.au/dining

Restaurant Dining The Byron at Byron Restaurant

WHALE WATCHING SEASON HAS BEGUN

Each year, between May and November, the southern hemisphere Humpback whales migrate from their antarctic summer feeding grounds north to their breeding and birthing grounds in the tropics. Separate populations migrate up the east and west coasts of Africa, south America, Australia and towards the south Pacific islands. The population that migrates up the east coast of Australia is estimated to be between 4000 and 5000 individuals.

Humpback whales are believed to use landmarks to assist with navigation. This trait is what ties them so close to the coast. In the past this behaviour made them vulnerable to commercial whaling operations and a dramatic decrease in the population has been witnessed. Since commercial whaling ceased in the 1970s, the population has recovered significantly but is considerably short of what it was prior to whaling.

The fact that Humpback whales travel in close proximity to the shore line and that Cape Byron is Australia's most easterly point makes this region one of Australia's premier whale watching destinations. Here you can witness the Humpback whale migration, at close hand, without having to travel far. " I see whales nearly every day when I am out surfing" says Sam, Trainee Manager at The Byron at Byron Resort. "It is part of the beauty of surfing in winter. They are as close as 100 mtrs away some days, it is an awesome feeling to watch and surf with these animals."

Humpback Whale

WHALE OF A TIME

To celebrate the gloroius whale watching season, we invite you to come and experience the whales with this great whale watching package  which includes;

Three nights accommodation at The Byron at Byron in a 1 bedroom suite          Return airport transfers to Byron/Ballina Airport OR Free bike hire                 Enjoy a 2hr whale watching cruise including resort pick up and drop off    Scrumptious breakfast daily served in The Restaurant

This package is priced at $520* per person. Please call reservations on (02) 6639 2000 and quote 'whale watching package' or email info@thebyronatbyron.com.au.

The migration route of the Australian east coast Humpback whale brings them in such close proximity to Byron Bay it is likely you will encounter several whales during your tour. It is also likely that you will observe dolphins, sea turtles and many different species of sea bird. The whale watching guides will impart many interesting facts about the migrating whales as well as Cape Byron Marine Parks many other sea creatures. Each of Whale Watching Byron Bays vessels is equipped with a hydrophone so you can listen to the Humpback whales amazing whale song.

*Based on twin share. Direct bookings only. Conditions may apply. Subject to availability.                       Valid from 1 July - 31st Aug 2006.

Whale Watching Byron Bay

LAST MINUTE DEAL - JULY 2006
For your best last minute July special, please contact Bonnie our reservations manager direct and ask for a 'hot' last minute deal. All special rates are subject to availabilty.

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OUR CONFERENCE LOYALTY PROGRAM?

The Byron at Byron Resort, Spa and Conference Centre would like to reward our loyal PCO's and conference organizers and have introduced a conference loyalty program.

For each conference booked at the Resort you receive your own short break to The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa.** The program works as follows;

Book one conference and you and a friend receive 2 nights accommodation in a king suite.                                                                                                                                                          Book a second conference and receive three nights accommodation with breakfast daily.                                                                                                                                                           Book your third conference and receive four nights accommodation with breakfast daily and two one hour relaxation massages in our Spa & Wellness Centre.                                            Book your fourth conference and receive four nights accommodation with breakfast daily, two one hour hot stones massage in our Spa & Wellness Centre and our seven course degustation dinner in The Restaurant.

Thank you for your support over the past 18mths and we look forward to working with you into the future.

 ** Conference must be a minimum 2 night stay with a minimum 30 rooms contracted. This offer begins for all new bookings from 1st July 2006. Prize must be taken within 12mths of conference and cannot be taken consecutively. Prize is subject to availability. 

For more information on this program or for any conference enquires please contact the team on (02) 6639 2104 or email sales@thebyronatbyron.com.au or visit www.thebyronatbyron.com.au

Suncorp Conference at The Byron at Byron Resort

BYRON BAY WRITERS FESTIVAL

The 2006 Byron Bay Writers Festival will be held from 03- 06 August with workshops and feature events from Monday 31 July.  The Festival features more than one hundred writers with audiences travelling from all over Australia to take part in workshops and experience panel discussions, in conversations, theatre, poetry readings and much more.

This year's Festival program features some of Australia's best literary talents as well as a selection of the best international writers. Janette Turner Hospital, Henry Reynolds, Mem Fox, Andy Griffiths, Robert Drewe, Luke Davies, Helen Caldicott, Roger MacDonald and Kirsty Murray are just a few of the names taking part this year.
 
In 2006 the Festival celebrates its tenth year and will feature a selection of some of the popular Festival writers over the past ten years. Tickets are now on sale with three day passes selling at $160. You can view a full program and buy tickets on line by visiting www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au

Byron Bay Writers Festival