A gin distillery, set on a macadamia farm surrounded by rainforest, serving gin-based cocktails –what a perfect place to start. Cape Byron Distillery is less than a 20-minute drive from Byron and is producing some of the best-tasting gins in the world. Both their Brookie’s gins have taken out world gin awards at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirit Competition. Brookie’s Dry Gin has 26 botanicals, many sourced from the local rainforest, while the ‘Slow Gin’, made in the style of an English ‘sloe’ gin, has a distinctive pink colouring from the native Davidson’s plum used in its making.

You may not be staying at the Byron at Byron resort, but you can still visit this restful and stylish place for drinks, food, yoga, day spa and pool access. A drink on its poolside deck was not out of our reach, and the dinner menu looked very tempting. Wander off through the 18 hectares of rainforest while friendly staff mix up an aperol spritz, a whisky, or a craft beer, and come back to relax poolside on the cosy couches.

If you have the opportunity to be there on a Sunday, make the most of a pub with a huge beer garden and a solid list of gigs. Last time we were there, we danced in the rain with a heaving mob to a world music-style techno band who were just back from touring Japan. This place goes off!

It is home to cattle, chicken, fruit and veggie gardens, and a produce store and restaurant, Three Blue Ducks. The restaurant is open seven days, with dinner Fridays to Sundays, but also welcomes people setting up rugs or finding a table within the grounds and can supply hampers at $100 to suit two to four people. Stroll the farm grounds and check out the animals while you’re there.

Take dinner on the verandah, or have whiskies and cocktails by the fire. With its bakery/cafe next door, you can stock up on smoked meats, cheeses and fresh salads, or stop on the deck and enjoy good coffee or juices. Across the road, Newrybar Merchants has a cool collection of tenants ranging from bookstores to furniture-makers and artists. For those who like to search through collectables, and browse locally made jewellery and furniture, Luther & Co also has a fine range. For fashion, the dependable and inspiring driftlab has sorted me for many a summer.

Established in the 1880s, Bangalow was originally a camp for timber-cutters, and the pub has a lovely ambience. The town has a billy cart festival in May, a bluegrass festival in August and there is an annual agricultural show in November. Monthly markets are on the fourth Sunday of each month, and farmers’ markets are on every Saturday from 8am–11am.