The Adamo Family

  • Adventurer
  • Bohemians
  • Lovers of Life

In 2015, after having lived in London for twelve years, Courtney and Michael Adamo decided to go on a world trip, together with their four children Easton, Quin, Ivy and Marlow. The Australian coastal town of Byron Bay was the place they fell in love with the most and they made it their new home.

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My 24 Hours in Byron Bay

Byron Bay is widely recognised as one of the best surf towns in Australia. Surf aside, we found it to be one of the most enjoyable and relaxing towns we’ve visited in all of our travels. The locals are incredibly warm and welcoming. The beaches, lakes and surrounding hills are breathtaking and ripe for exploring. And there is a plethora of excellent restaurants, cafés and shops. In the end, we love this place so much that we hope to settle here for good.

When we visited Byron Bay six years ago on our first camper van journey, wet weather kept us from doing the usual beachy things. Instead we drove inland and discovered the gorgeous little town of Bangalow. With cute shops, great cafés and a friendly community of residents, we knew we wanted to base ourselves there if ever we returned. Luckily, we discovered the Granuaille Residence on the Kid & Coe site last year when we started planning our trip, and we immediately booked it. The house is cosy, kid-friendly and stylish. Other good places to stay when in the area are The Atlantic, which is a charming boutique hotel in the centre of Byron, or Elements of Byron, which is right on the beach in Belongil.

There is a wealth of fantastic restaurants and locales in the area, which should be to the delight of anyone with the slightest culinary inclination. The Top Shop is a Byron Bay institution, and rightfully so! Harvest Café in Newrybar is one of the best restaurants in the area and the perfect spot to kick off the weekend. The Roadhouse in Byron is apparently the hipster hangout, but they always welcome our boisterous gang of beach rats with open arms. The Woods café in Bangalow is one of our favourite local cafés. The staff is super friendly and the plant-based food is divine. The Treehouse is best for a beachy atmosphere and drinks, we enjoyed this relaxed place for a couple impromptu dinners with larger groups. Miss Margarita is a small Mexican restaurant in the centre of town with a happening vibe and good food; The Mez Club is another brand new, cool venue that belongs to them. Basiloco offers good wood-fired pizzas. The Farm is a place located just outside of Byron Bay. This working farm/restaurant/café/shop/play-space is a wonderful, family-friendly spot to hang out, meet friends, and enjoy a delicious meal. Then we have to mention the Doma Café in Federal. This Japanese-Australian restaurant is one of our favourites for their delicious food and pretty outside dining area. As well as the The Belle General in Lennox Head – really delicious food and coffee. Mullumbimby Farmers Market is an amazing market! There’s also a farmers’ market in Bangalow on Saturday mornings, and one in Byron on Thursday mornings. Punch & Daisy in Mullumbimby is owned by sweet friends of ours. This charming little café serves delicious, healthy foods, all made to order, and great coffee, too. Yami in Brunswick Heads is a little vegetarian restaurant which serves delicious Mediterranean food and has a nice outdoor seating area.

To work up a proper appetite, you’re going to want to get some exercise in – preferably outdoors, seeing as we’re in Australia. You can go for a surf at The Pass, the perfect place for surfers of all skill levels. Have a beach day at Wategos Beach, which is another one of Byron’s gorgeous beaches. The Crystal Castle are botanical gardens filled with extraordinary crystals, sub-tropical plant life and mystical statues. There are several creeks and waterfalls in the gorgeous hinterland surrounding Byron Bay. We loved swimming at the base of Killen Falls (though the large, jagged rocks make it slightly tricky to get into the water). There are a few different tea tree lakes scattered around the Byron Bay region. The lakes are warm thanks to their dark colour, and are believed to have healing properties due to the tea-tree oil infused waters.

Shopping around here is also surprisingly good; here are some of our recommendations: The Newrybar Merchants is a gorgeous shop and a collective of creative local artisans and shops. Our Corner Store in Bangalow has a beautiful selection of homeware and fashion. Tiny People in Byron Bay is a great children’s shop with lots of my favourite brands from all over the world. Mary Ryan’s Bookstore in Byron Bay is a charming bookstore with a good children’s section. Afends is a local surfwear brand for men. Onboard Store is a notch above the rest when it comes to style and sophistication in surf products. Yoli & Otis in Byron Bay is a local children’s brand that recently set up a gorgeous shop in the Byron industrial estate and everything about it is inspiring and beautiful. Sunshine Trader in Brunswick Heads is a small but well curated little boutique has a great selection of books, gifts and home accessories. The Finders Club in Bangalow is a great shop for trendy menswear and accessories.

You just have to love Byron Bay!

Locations



The AtlanticBeachcomber S Track, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia

Boutique hotel with stylish, individually decorated guest houses. Unfortunately, kids are not allowed here – so it’s one for an adults-only holiday.
Elements of Byron144 Bayshore Dr, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

We’ve had friends stay here who were very happy with the customer service. What this hotel lacks in charm and character, it makes up for in amenities and the location right on the beach in Belongil.
The Top Shop65 Carlyle Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

The coffee and food is delicious, and its location makes it the perfect place to drop in before or after a surf.
Harvest Café8-22 Old Pacific Hwy, Newrybar, New South Wales, Australien

Harvest opens up their gorgeous bakery every Saturday and sells delicious treats from a big farmhouse table. We meet friends every weekend we are in town and enjoy great coffee, croissants and pastries in their pretty garden. The perfect way to kick off the weekend!
The Roadhouse6/142 Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

Great food and amazing coffee are on offer in a lovely patio space. Dinner is great too but be warned, kids aren’t allowed in the evenings.
Woods10 Station Street, Bangalow, New South Wales, Australien

There’s also a pretty courtyard where kids can run around while you wait for your food or enjoy a second coffee.
The Treehouse25 Childe Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

You can come straight from the beach as you won’t feel a bit out of place here with sandy feet or wet clothes.
Miss Margarita2 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

Be prepared to queue, it’s that good!
Basiloco30 Lawson Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

A relaxed, family friendly vibe can be found in this Sardinian-owned Italian restaurant just minutes from The Pass.
The Farm92 Woodford Ln, Ewingsdale, New South Wales, Australien

The motto they live on the farm is ‘Grow, Feed, Educate’. We love it!
Doma Café59 Federal Dr, Federal NSW 2480, Australien

Definitely worth the drive to Federal just for the restaurant!
The Belle General12 Shelly Beach Rd, East Ballina, New South Wales, Australien

We discovered this café/restaurant when we camped in Lennox Head during our camper van journey, before arriving at Byron Bay, and loved it so much, we went back a few times over the course of the next month.
Mullumbimby Farmers Market51 Main Arm Road, Mullumbimby, New South Wales, Australien

We love this market so much for the great organic food stalls, friendly people and laid-back vibe.
Punch & Daisy105 Stuart St, Mullumbimby, New South Wales, Australien

Perfect for lunch with the kids, with plenty of casual seating both inside and out in their courtyard.
Yami2/1 Park St, Brunswick Heads, New South Wales, Australien

We love to stop here for falafel before or after a swim in the Brunswick area.
The PassThe Pass, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

The point break and gentle waves are ideal for every surfer in our family and it’s a gorgeous place to watch the sunset. We usually arrive at The Pass in the afternoon. We set up our camp on the small beach, lay out our big, stripy towel and kick off our shoes.
Wategos BeachWategos Beach, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

Good surf, lots of sand, and public BBQs for evening dinners with friends. Walk up to the lighthouse for stunning views up and down the coast.
Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens13 Monet Dr, Montecollum NSW 2482, Australien

It’s hard to define the appeal of this place – something to see and experience for yourself.
Killen FallsKillen Falls Drive, Tintenbar, New South Wales, Australien

We saw baby turtles swimming next to us when we came here!
Newrybar Merchants19 Old Pacific Hwy, Newrybar, New South Wales, Australien

This amazing shop offers a variety of beautiful homeware, gifts, clothes and accessories.
Our Corner Store1/36 Byron St, Bangalow, New South Wales, Australien

They even have a small corner with a well curated selection of children’s products. Great for gifts!
Tiny People7/11 Marvell Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

Wonderful fashion for kids!
Mary Ryan's Books, Music & Coffee27 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australien

They offer a great selection of books!
Afends1/17 Brigantine Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

Afends has mastered simple and understated designs with a great eye for colour and texture.
Onboard Store3 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

Beautiful boards, stylish board bags and a great selection of clothes.
Yoli & Otis2/97 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australien

They have a collection of clothing for babies, children and women as well as a small but well curated collection of homeware and accessories.
Sunshine Trader 1/16 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads, New South Wales, Australien

They also have a small selection of mens- and womenswear, stocking many of Byron’s best local designers.
The Finders Club6-10 Station St, Bangalow NSW 2479, Australien

Trendy menswear and accessories.
The Mez Club85-87 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australien

The Mez Club has the same owners as Miss Margarita does so it’s equally great. The look is Mediterranean, the food is inspired by Morocco, Greece and Turkey. Yum!
‘Byron Bay is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing towns we’ve visited in all of our travels.’
  • We love to shop beautiful homeware, gifts, clothes and accessories at Newrybar Merchants.© Newrybar Merchant
  • Let’s go to the beach – we love spending sunny afternoons at The Pass.
  • The boys are surfing, the girls playing in the sand.
  • The Mullumbimby Farmers Market offers great organic food stalls and the most beautiful flowers.
  • The boys became passionate surfers while travelling.
  • We fell in love with Byron Bay, that's why we decided to move here!
  • There is a very cool and laid-back vibe at Miss Margarita! © Cinzia Gaia Photography
  • Beach day at The Pass.
  • Travelling the world made our family bond even stronger.
  • The Mez Club just opened last September and is a perfect addition to Byron’s colourful restaurant scene. © The Mez Club
  • Wave watching from the lighthouse in Byron Bay!
  • The Woods café in Bangalow is one of our must-visit spots: great coffee and very kid-friendly.
  • Get your hands on the cutest toys at the Newrybar Merchant store! © Newrybar Merchant
  • Grabbing some tacos after a long beach day at Miss Margaritas is just great! © Miss Margarita

My thoughts about Byron Bay

What do you love about your destination?

Within one month of exploring beautiful Byron Bay and the towns dotted throughout its hinterlands, we all agreed that this could be our spot. We had quickly and easily made dear friends and found a rhythm and routine that was incredibly natural for our family. We felt an undeniable connection to the natural beauty of the area and were drawn to its infectiously happy residents. Of course there was also the surfing, the sunshine, the good food, the creative community and the bohemian lifestyle that’s always appealed to me. We had fallen in love and could not deny our deep attraction to this place. We quizzed the kids – could you live here? Their answers were always, and unambiguously, ‘yes!’ At the end of our month-long stay, we couldn’t wait to return.

Take a vacation into My life

What’s your background?

I grew up on a tulip farm in a small town about an hour north of Seattle. We had the ocean on one side, mountains on the other, and our house was surrounded by farmland. Michael and I met in LA, but three months later Michael was offered a job in London. We moved all the way to London together after only two months of dating! This is where I co-founded Babyccino Kids and Michael started working for Fieldtrip, a company specialising in a mix of animation and live-action film production.
Twelve years and four kids later we decided to push pause on our busy lives in London and take a year out to spend time with our children. We spent the first couple months with friends and family in the US, followed by a road trip through California in September. We then spent the next few months in beautiful South America: in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. We flew from Santiago, Chile to Auckland, NZ just before Christmas and then spent nearly two months driving around New Zealand, exploring both the south and north islands in a camper van. We then spent two months in Australia, with a month in beautiful Byron Bay. Our journey took us to Japan, then over to Sri Lanka and then back to Europe, where we spent the summer with friends in Italy, France and Portugal. A family trip around the world: a dream I’ve had since I was a young child.

Photos on childhome farm © Sara Welch

Photos at The Pass © Raegan Glazner

Photos for partnership with Audible © Amelia Fullarton

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