Going wild – bush schools boom in Northern Rivers
BUSH schools are booming in the Northern Rivers, with survivalist TV shows like Alone fuelling a trend towards outdoor nature-based learning. Programs range from weekday...
Koala chlamydia vax on track
NEARLY 100 koalas have been vaccinated against chlamydia in the past year as part of a trial Friends of the Koala is undertaking with...
Mental health help for small business owners
SMALL business owners who are struggling with their mental health are being urged to sign up to a free Beyond Blue program that offers...
Turning up the heat
LUXURY Byron Bay guesthouse 28 Degrees has added five new villas to cater to growing demand. Owner Deb Garske bought the neighbouring property in Marvell...
Bollywood beats
GROWING up in Australia, Zerina Millard didn't feel a strong connection to her Indian heritage. It wasn't until she went to the subcontinent to study...
From Byron Bay to Bollywood
Byron Bay filmmaker Devendra Parmar is set to release Barber of Baadarpur, a film capturing authentic Indian village life, in Australia next year. Parmar wrote,...
From devastation to determination – resilience groups plan for future
RESILIENCE groups that formed throughout the Byron Shire in the wake of the 2022 floods are looking for volunteers to help prepare for future...
A new chapter in beauty
LOCAL beauty expert Mukti has relaunched her book Truth in Beauty, which lifts the lid on the dark side of the beauty industry. Mukti, who...
Beacon of hope
SOCIAL enterprise Beacon Laundry has introduced a scholarship fund to help staff advance their careers when they transition to other jobs. The money will go...
Countdown to New Year’s Eve markets
A SPECIAL twilight market will be held on New Year's Eve in Byron Bay for the first time, with country, rock and blues artist...
Funding the fight for addiction recovery
THE Buttery is appealing to the state government to increase funding for drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs in the wake of the recent NSW...
Rising together – floods doco uncovers camaraderie
A DOCUMENTARY celebrating the unsung heroes of the 2022 floods is raising much-needed funds to help survivors of the natural disaster get back into...
Garage grooves on Soul Street
GARAGE rock duo Wild Rocket is getting ready to rock Byron Bay as part of its Soul Street New Year's Eve celebrations. Fifteen-year-olds Zephyr Breeze...
A soulful New Year’s Eve celebration
SOUL singer Lisa Hunt is excited to ring in the New Year at Cherry Street Sports Club in Ballina on Tuesday night. The US-born artist,...
New eatery spices up Ballina
MEXICAN-inspired eatery 187 Cantina has opened in the space previously occupied by Hola Bonita in Ballina. Owner Dylan Clifford, who operates another 187 Cantina outlet...
From farm to fork to farewell
NORTHERN Rivers foodies have been left shocked by the news that pioneering paddock-to-plate restaurant Harvest Newrybar has closed its doors. Owners of the acclaimed restaurant...
Ethics classes gaining ground
PRIMARY Ethics is seeking more volunteer teachers to meet a growing demand for ethics classes in schools throughout the region. Around 20 primary schools in...
Santa, stilt walkers and stunts at family-friendly Christmas Eve carnival
SANTA is set to take a break from delivering presents to pop into Bangalow Showground for the town's annual Christmas Eve Carnival on Tuesday...
Fishheads’ Christmas feast for the homeless
BYRON Bay's homeless population won't be forgotten on Christmas Day, with Fishheads restaurant offering a buffet seafood lunch for those who have fallen on...
The Voice star leads Ballina Christmas carols
THE Voice star Chang Po Chin led the crowd in song at the Ballina Christmas Carnival & Carols on the Sunday afternoon. Matt Tanttari, who...
Volunteers to the rescue
AUSTRALIAN Seabird & Turtle Rescue is looking for volunteers to help save and care for sick and injured wildlife in 2025. The organisation's general manager...
Major makeover for historic hotel
BANGALOW Hotel is set to undergo a major revamp, with plans for $13 million in improvements to the venue. Central Coast-based Fabric Architecture Studio lodged...
Navigate new horizons on Indigenous tour
INDIGENOUS guide Delta Kay has introduced a new tour of the iconic lighthouse trail in Byron Bay. The two-hour Walgun Lighthouse Aboriginal Tour begins at...
A Santa’s eye view
Families can see the world from Santa's sleigh in a 360-degree film showing at OTHERWORLD Byron Bay in the lead-up to Christmas. Screening in the...