There’s a particular kind of magic that lingers in old theatres. You can feel it in the old pull-down chairs, in the well-trodden carpet and in the hum of anticipation before the lights dim. In Murwillumbah, that magic lives inside The Regent, an Art Deco beauty that has stood proud for almost 80 years, surviving fire, flood and the slow fade of time. Now, under the care of new owner Troy Stanley, she’s shining once more, not just as a cinema but as the heart of a community.

There’s just something about old-school summer camping — packing the car to the hilt, hitching on the surfboards and bikes, and heading for a place where the wifi’s non-existent and the days are blissfully free of routine. It’s the kind of freedom that seeps in with the scent of salt air and sunscreen, when the biggest decision you’ll make all weekend is whether to swim before or after breakfast. Porque no los dos? By Kate Reynolds   It’s in the first sip of coffee fresh off

Just a short flight from the mainland, Lady Elliot Island offers a rare chance to experience the Great Barrier Reef as it once was — raw, thriving and remarkably untouched. Invited for a day and a night, LOCALE went for the adventure and found something truly otherworldly. By Karen Kinnersly Flying out from the Gold Coast with Seair, the anticipation of seeing the Great Barrier Reef never gets old. The scenic flight alone is spectacular, tracing the curve of the coastline bef

There’s something special about exploring the Northern Rivers on two wheels — the winding country lanes, the scent of eucalypt in the air, the sweeping ocean views one minute and lush hinterland trails the next. For those who love to ride — or simply want to see the region in a slower, more connected way —  Northern Rivers Cycles & Bike Hire  is the ultimate starting point. Founded by lifelong cyclist Jeff Harris, who’s been in the saddle since childhood and once held Austral

In a region defined by natural beauty, creative energy and entrepreneurial heart, Lauren — known locally as That PR Girl — has become a quiet force behind some of Byron’s most meaningful stories: the sustainable makers, the community trailblazers, the creatives and innovators, and the founders with vision and heart. A strategist, storyteller and connector, she has built a reputation for amplifying local voices and championing purpose-led brands. Her focus is on shaping storie

A new chapter in wellness has arrived in Byron Bay with the opening of CellRegen — a regenerative health centre designed to help you lift energy, accelerate recovery and nurture true cellular healing. The centre combines world-leading Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT) and Red-Light Bed Therapy in a purpose-built, restorative space in the heart of town. Grounded in Byron’s thriving wellness community, CellRegen reflects the region’s evolution toward sciencebacked recovery

Andrew McKinnon — or as most surfers know him, Andy Mac — has been a voice of the waves for over 50 years. From his early days competing as a shortboard champion in the 1970s to winning the World Longboard Championship in 1988, Andy has lived and breathed surf culture. He’s reported surf conditions on radio and TV for more than three decades, written countless articles, and stood at the heart of major surfing movements — from commentary to conservation. An advocate for the Go

Juraki Surf & Culture Inc. is an Indigenous not-for-profit born from a shared vision of connection — to culture, to community, and to the ocean. Founded in 2016 by Fingal Head locals Joel and Mary Slabb, Juraki began as a response to something the couple witnessed firsthand: young Indigenous surfers with enormous potential drifting away from the sport they loved. “After running the Banaam Indigenous Surf Invitational in 2015, we saw how many of our young people were being aff

There’s something deeply Australian about an old country pub — places where the beer is cold, the floorboards creak, and stories stretch longer than the verandas. From timber-getters’ bars to Art Deco beauties, the Northern Rivers’ oldest pubs have poured through war and depression, fire and flood, serving as gathering places for generations — and the ghosts of publicans past. Each one tells a story, so next time you’re cruising the backroads between the cane fields and the c

From chasing surf glory to confronting grief on screen, Byron Bay filmmaker Johnny Abegg has carved a raw, personal path through cinema and climate activism. By Chris Ashton Johnny Abegg was broke, burnt out, and chasing waves on borrowed time when he first picked up a Handycam. What started as a desperate attempt to document a dying dream became the beginning of something else entirely. After years chasing the World Surf League Qualifying Circuit, the self-described “mad-kee

Mark “Mono” Stewart is a name that commands respect in the surf world. At 63, this six-time world adaptive surfing champion, Byron Bay local, and recent inductee into the NSW Sports Hall of Champions, is still competing — and still winning — against surfers half his age. But these days, his focus isn’t just on trophies. It’s on building a future for adaptive surfing in Australia. By Donna Rishton-Potter When bone cancer took his leg at fifteen, Mono found the ocean — and a ne

For renowned artist, Otis Hope Carey, everything begins and ends with water. The ocean —  Gaagal  — has always been both his totem and his teacher, shaping his identity, his art, and the rhythm of his life. By Donna Rishton-Potter Carey grew up on Gumbaynggirr Country on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, where his earliest memories are of rock pools and headlands — memories that taught him how deeply water is woven through life, as cleanser, healer, and keeper of storie

There’s a certain charm in finding a place that feels like a getaway, even when your journey begins or ends just steps from an airport terminal. Rydges Gold Coast Airport has mastered this balance, offering the rare combination of effortless convenience and genuine holiday comfort. Located directly adjacent to the airport, it’s the ideal choice for travellers who value speed and simplicity — but don’t want to compromise on atmosphere or experience. Just steps from the domesti

From surfers to weekend athletes, spinal surgeon and Assistant Professor Mario Zotti is redefining recovery — one vertebra at a time. It often starts with something small — a twinge after paddling out, a stiff twist pulling on a wetsuit, or, more dramatically, a dump onto sandbanks. On the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers, where movement is woven into daily life, back or neck pain can feel like the end of freedom. Few understand that better than orthopaedic and spinal surgeon D

Tucked beneath the old Regent Cinema in the heart of Murwillumbah, M|Arts Precinct is one of those places that instantly pulls you in. It’s more than a creative hub; it’s a space where art, food and community come together under one beautifully reimagined industrial roof. Once a mechanic’s workshop, the building still wears its history proudly. The concrete floors, roller doors and recycled shipping containers have been transformed into light-filled studios where creativity h

Byron Bay Beach Life When you live in the subtropics, sun safety isn’t just a health precaution — it’s a way of life. From ocean dips to hinterland hikes, our days revolve around the outdoors, so smart sun protection is non-negotiable. Thankfully, a new wave of local brands are blending science, style, and sustainability to keep us covered — literally — with products made for life under the southern sun. Whether it’s glowing skin, shady beach days, or a sunscreen that finally

Isola Wine Shop The Northern Rivers is renowned for its colour palette – the brilliant blues of the Pacific Ocean, ribbons of green and gold farmland, leading through to the deep, emerald hues of rainforest. But there are other colours equally deserving of attention: luscious burgundy cabernet, cool coppery pinot gris, and soft rosé pinks that shimmer prettily in your glass. Yes, we’re talking about wines – all produced right here in this region.    By Chris Ashton   Surprise

If the mark of a great restaurant lies in equal parts atmosphere, execution and flavour — then Ember Byron Bay has hit the trifecta. Byron Bay may be known for its laid-back coastal energy, but step inside Ember and the scene shifts — to something moodier, sexier, more sophisticated. Recently refurbished and reimagined, this elevated steakhouse perched above Jonson Street blends the spirit of New York dining with Byron’s trademark ease. Soft lighting, dark timber accents and

Sure, beaches get all the summer glory, but there’s something irresistibly chic about swapping the surf for a sun-lounger and a pool that practically begs for a midday dip. No sandy towels, no crowded shores, just sparkling water, shady palms and a cocktail that always tastes better poolside. From jaw-dropping five-star resorts to chic boutique hideaways, we’ve hunted down the crème de la crème of Australian hotel pools — perfect for grown-ups craving sunlit luxury, shimmerin

Zesty, bright, and impossibly fresh — ceviche is pure sunshine on a plate. Bursting with citrus, spice, and coastal energy, this Peruvian classic is having a serious moment across the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast, where ocean-fresh produce meets creative local flair. Born on the Pacific coast of Peru more than 2,000 years ago, ceviche is a celebration of sea, simplicity, and soul. The process is as beautiful as it is ingenious — raw fish ‘cooked’ in citrus juice, the acid g