megano5678

Hi - I am planning my honeymoon and got some help from several people on that, but we are now considering spending the first 4 days somewhere other than Palm Cove (my initial thought). We saw a few places that looked amazing and wondered about going there first - we really want to unwind after the wedding craziness. So the places in question are Palm Beach (rental property called Rock Ridge) or Rae's on Watego in Byron Bay? The first would be easy to get to while the latter would require a flight plus drive (from Sydney where we arrive early morning on Day 1).

Just to give the entire picture of our 15 day visit, we are planning to:

Days 1-4 ??
Days 5-8 Lizard Island (or maybe Orpheus - not much info on that though)
Days 9-10 Hunter Valley
Days 11-12 Blue Mountains
Days 13-15 Sydney

Thanks so much in advance.

pat_woolford

What time of year megan? Assume you mean Palm Beach, Sydney - its a lovely summer spot and quite similar to Watego's near Byron but with more people. Not as warm though out of summer, and Byron can be nippy in winter. If you're coming in winter I'd re-consider Palm Cove which has easy access to Lizard Island through Cairns airport.

megano5678

Sorry - should have specified - around October 11-14.

Thanks!

lizF

Which Palm Beach?

lorikeet

Yes, there is a Palm Beach in Sydney and I think also one on the Gold Coast in Queensland. I think you mean Sydney? I live on the Northern Beaches of which Palm Beach is the most northern, but Wategos Beach Byron Bay would have to be tops.

pat_woolford

I used to live on Sydney's northern beaches too, near Palm Beach. Its lovely in summer but October might still be a bit chilly, at least it would be for me. Watego's would be warmer, fortunately its away from the township of Byron and is a beautiful beach. October is an ideal month for Far North Queensland (Lizard, Palm Cove, Orpheus), after the winter south easterlies and before the onset of humidity associated with wet season.

megano5678

Ok, back to Palm Cove...

Thanks for the input. We are thinking Palm Cove or Silky Oaks instead of Byron Bay.

etonbeach

I live in Byron Bay, very over rated and expensive for what you get. That is for both accomodation and most else. Byron has lost it's real soul. The real hippies have gone and been replaced with wanna be yuppies etc. Even the shops have gone all touristy. Byron is now only hanging on to the name. A town of lost souls and so fragmented. Anyway, I could think of many other places to visit.

pat_woolford

Couldn't agree with you more, etonbeach. My daughter lives there too and can't wait to leave. Such a shame because the beaches and hinterland are magnificent, but the town itself is horrible these days.