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28/06/2009: "MEMOIRS OF A TOURIST TOWN - BYRON BAY, AUSTRALIA"

There's a shallow reef one hundred meters offshore from the Byron Bay beach, east of The Beach hotel,where these B&W pictures were made. The large stingray is similar to the one Steve Irwin got too close to.

The Indo-pacific toadfish is also toxic. Many years ago people were dying like flies regularly each summer when toads were being caught and eaten in ignorance, mostly by migrants newly arrived in a strange land.

Elsewhere at Byron there is a wreck close to the beach at First Sun caravan park (and camping ground).

Best bet for a dive would be offshore to Julian Rocks with one of the local dive shop boats. Prices should be reasonable as compared with Great Barrier Reef day trips.

Best time to visit Byron Bay is a few weeks either side of Easter, each year, but avoid the Easter crowds. In late summer the sea breeze is weaker while the weather still warm.

(During winter, head for Cairns and Port Douglas in North Queensland).