30 Dec 2020. What a year!

We’re almost at the finishing line of a year when “unprecedented” events just kept on coming. From horrific bushfires to a global pandemic, the speed and enormity of change has tested us all.

Hopes and plans might have been put on hold. But the government and the people of Australia have stepped up and taken it in their stride. Our local community is stronger and more supportive than ever. And we’ve seen just how innovative local businesses can be when we needed it most.

At home and at work, everything has changed. Working from home has become the new normal, and the effect of this shift on Byron has been staggering. The moment lockdown restrictions were lifted, there was a surge of people arriving from the cities, so the town is definitely busier than ever!

What’s more, holiday accommodation is booked out over the holidays, and the demand for real estate in Byron has skyrocketed. Something that doesn’t look like changing any time soon. On top of that, three of Byron’s high-profile businesses sold this year. The Beach Hotel back in February, followed by The Bower in August, and the new owners of The Farm moved in just a couple of weeks ago. I think it’s fair to say that Byron Bay is more popular than ever.

All in all, it’s been an eventful year. Here’s hoping that 2021 will bring a little more stability, but I’ve no doubt it won’t be smooth sailing. What I do know, is that whatever’s thrown at us, we have our community to support us. And we won’t stop appreciating just how lucky we are to live in this beautiful part of the world any time soon.

All the best
Ed