A fairytale day trip to bohemian Newrybar
Overview
The ultimate day trip in the Northern Rivers of NSW is undeniably to laid back but chic Newrybar: a one-street town founded in 1880 which has only a handful of boutique shops, cafes and a well awarded restaurant, Harvest. It is set in the fairytale hills of the hinterlands about 15 minutes drive from Byron Bay and has become an epic landmark for those in the know, however still remains largely under the radar. For some ideas in Byron Bay itself, see my write up here.
It’s possible to stay in limited accommodation in Newrybar, where you can spend longer soaking up the country living, fresh air and meander about to discover all this charming town has to offer: food, fashion, homewares, art, antiques and relaxation.
Itinerary
Driftlab clothing store
Harvest Restaurant
Luther & Co
Newrybar Merchants – collective of 10 shops
Macadamia Castle
Massage at Gaia Retreat & Spa
Driftlab Clothing
If you arrive early for your lunch reservation at Harvest, there is no better locally designed clothing store to find in this region than Driftlab. The garments are unique and you’ll definitely come away with a statement piece or two for your wardrobe. My friend purchased the most luxurious orange woollen trench coat from this store; albeit slightly controversial in opinion amongst our group, it’s something you’ll not find elsewhere for sure! As well as these one off pieces, you’ll find staple linens and knits, as well as various accessories to turn drab to fab.
Harvest Restaurant
Let’s be honest. Most people hear about Harvest Restaurant before they hear about Newrybar. Many of the shops here have capitalised on its success, as evidenced by its numerous Australian food awards, including a chef hat in 2018 and 2019.
I wish I could eat here weekly! The quality of dishes sourced from fresh, local produce, the airy, weatherboard cottage and its bull-nosed leafy verandah, its interior aesthetics and friendly knowledgable staff make this an out of this world food experience. With their own wood-fired oven and a wine list showcasing smaller, environmentally conscientious wine-makers and lesser-known varietals, all from Australia, you’ll feel so far removed from the daily grind.
On arrival we were taken into a gorgeous light space for a long lunch. The cascading floral centrepiece was crafted by a local artist. First on offer was the wine list and we indulged in a bottle of Vinden ‘Headcase’ from Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley region of NSW: a blend of gewürztraminer, semillon and verdelho. I’d never had these varietals in a blend before and it absolutely rocked my socks. More than that, we were made privy to the meaning of the label on the bottle: a picture of the winemaker immediately after harvest. His aim is to showcase his own ageing process by producing a bottle each year with his face post harvest. I’m such a sucker for a meaningful story!
My favourite way to enjoy any menu is to choose a multitude of share plates in order to sample as much as possible. We ended up (possibly over ordering) with:
- Harvest woodfired sourdough, churned butter
- Sydney rock oysters, citrus, succulents
- Pumpkin and parmesan soup, olive oil, sourdough
- Mussels steamed in chardonnay, smoked sour cream
- Pan roasted local fish, white bean cassoulet, roasted lettuce
- Slow cooked beef brisket, milk bun, harvest condiments
- Roast chat potatoes, salt and vinegar, sour cream
Harvest Newrybar is more of a complex than a single building. As well as the casual but intimate fine dining space, it’s home to a delicatessen, historic bakery and a farm. Here you can pick up local and international artisan products such as meats, cheese and coffee.
Luther & Co
This cute little store is home to vintage collectibles and antiques and will have you recalling moments and labels from your childhood and youth, whilst reveling in the modernity of its clothing garments and shoes. Think Vegemite-labelled tins meets vegan leather boots.
Newrybar Merchants
This sprawling retail space set in an old 1890s home with a plantation feel is a collaborative concept store that showcases works from local artisans. The collection features merchants selling unique homewares, luxe stationery, clothing, bed linen, Moroccan rugs, luxury leather goods and more.
Don’t miss this fabulous space where each nook is home to something different! The collective is worth a drive from Byron Bay in its own right.
Macadamia Castle
This very kitsch factory of fun is situated about 10 minutes drive from Newrybar and is an unusual mix of theme park versus macadamia based meals. Featuring an animal park and educational program for children, this is a great stop for families. It’s not at all the same vibe as floaty chic boutique Newrybar but a completely out of the ordinary experience that is not too far away.
Gaia Retreat & Spa
Part owned by Olivia Newton John, Gaia Retreat and Spa offers packages to suit everyone, ranging from a few hours to a few days, but who can go past a simple massage at the end of a long hard day of shopping and eating.
