April Fools’ chaos hits Northern Rivers social feeds

Northern Rivers residents did double takes this morning as April Fools’ pranks spread across social media, with councils, police and local businesses joining in.

Cape Byron Distillery claimed its award-winning Brookies Gin was a viable “High octane alternative to unleaded 95″, inviting followers to attend a fictitious fuel station pumping gin into vehicles.

“With petrol prices officially crossing the $3.00/L mark, the Byron hinterland has just found a way to fight back, and it smells remarkably like award winning gin,” the Instagram post read.

“We are hosting LIVE demonstrations and a full Bio-Fuel Showcase at the distillery right now!”

“Come down to see the pumps in person, watch the tech behind the process, and witness the vehicles running on the spirit of Byron.”

April Fools or not too distant future: could a litre of award-winning Brookies Gin soon be cheaper than a litre of diesel?

Tweed Shire Council also stirred confusion, with a Facebook post suggesting surfers would need to pass competency tests and obtain licences to access local breaks.

“You must now hold a Surfing Licence to surf on all Tweed beaches,” the council post read.

“Competency tests apply.”

“Fines may apply.”

“Book in now to see if you’ve got what it takes.”

This Tweed Shire gag may have struck a little too close to home in Byron Shire, where surf school licences and high parking fees have been the subject of real controversy. — This Tweed Shire gag may have struck a little too close to home in Byron Shire, where surf school licences have been the subject of real controversy. Image: Supplied.

The Tweed-Byron Police District joined in with its own surf-themed fabrication, “confirming” the rollout of solar-powered surfboards for coastal patrols.

“We are in the testing phase for a board that can hit 80 knots, tow a rescue tube, and still carry a set of handcuffs,” the Facebook post read.

Richmond Police District also played along, announcing a supposed shift to bicycle patrols in response to rising fuel costs.

“Warrant Wednesday cancelled: operation pedal patrol underway,” the post read.

“Patrols will now be conducted exclusively using bicycles.”

“This decisive move delivers maximum visibility, lower emissions and a budget-friendly solution.”

“Leg day is now mandatory,” the post read.

Soul surfers are currently being targeted as part of an ongoing enforcement operation. Image: Supplied.

“We are in the testing phase for a board that can hit 80 knots, tow a rescue tube, and still carry a set of handcuffs,” the Facebook post read.

Richmond Police District also played along, announcing a supposed shift to bicycle patrols in response to rising fuel costs.

“Warrant Wednesday cancelled: operation pedal patrol underway,” the post read.

“Patrols will now be conducted exclusively using bicycles.”

“This decisive move delivers maximum visibility, lower emissions and a budget-friendly solution.”

“Leg day is now mandatory,” the post read.

We interrupt regular programming… whoops, this one is real. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver an address to the nation tonight, with many social media users unsure whether the announcement was genuine (it is!).

Social media users quickly joined in, with one local questioning the logistics of arrests.

“What you do when you arrest someone? ‘Alright buddy, in the basket’,” the comment read.

Others were equally sceptical.

“You better have good locks for your bikes in Ballina,” another wrote.

“Catch me if you can…” another added.

Elsewhere, Byron-based Instagram satire page Lords of Byron Bay claimed it had been permanently shut down following a civil case.

Known for skewering gentrification and alternative lifestyle stereotypes in the Byron Shire, the page regularly exposes the oddities of tourist behaviour and local spiritual trends.