Three Blue Ducks Chef Darren Robertson’s Guide to Byron Bay and Surrounds

The Pass
Minyon Falls
The Farm
The Farm
Bar Heather
Bar Heather
Bar Heather
The Pass
The Farm

Photo: Ella Dice

Byron Bay and its hinterland make a great road trip for food-lovers and outdoor types alike. In partnership with Lexus, we sit down with local legend Darren Robertson for the inside word on where to eat and what to do when you visit.

Darren Robertson’s path to Byron Bay wasn’t a straight line, but the coastal Northern Rivers town is definitely home now. After moving to Australia in 2001, the British-born chef made his name in Sydney with sustainably minded diner Three Blue Ducks before an opportunity came up to head north.

“We were given the chance to open another Ducks on a working farm outside of Byron, in Ewingsdale, and that was it,” he says. The 86-acre property is “quite stunning”, he says, “and that became home”.

Simply called The Farm, the multi-purpose spot is symbolic of Byron Bay and its surrounds: a vibrant community of small businesses championing the region’s great produce. Right now, for instance, The Farm and its neighbours are buzzing with the cooler-season harvest. “We’ve got a whole bunch of leafy greens and herbs, fennel fronds, fennel pollen,” he says. “But the thing that’s really exciting me at the moment … is we’re getting a lot more pigs, and they’re delicious.”

Never miss a moment. Make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter today.
SUBSCRIBE NOW

For a food-loving chef like Robertson, the Byron Bay area is a natural fit, and he’s happy to share his findings. A Northern Rivers road trip is a mix of luxury and adventure best suited to a “wildly refined” four-wheel drive like the All-New Lexus GX, which has an Overtrail model to handle mud, rock, deep snow and sand (you can see Robertson take it on a Byron beach in this cooking demo – and Luxury and Sports Luxury models that fit up to seven people for a group adventure. Here’s Robertson’s advice for what to eat, drink and do on the road.

Coffee, cocktails and spanner crab

In Byron for breakfast, Robertson recommends a bite at High Life cafe, which is home to his favourite morning meal. “They do proper thick-cut smoky bacon on braised white beans and greens,” he says. “That’s my go-to dish. They also do little plates of pickles and ferments … and boiled eggs.”

Come sundown, Robertson has a few suggestions in close proximity on Jonson Street. “There’s a little precinct that’s got Bar Heather, Light Years and Pixie – three places within a stone’s throw,” he says. “[Light Years] is Asian-style with fun cocktails and fit-out, so you can go there for snacks and a few drinks. Next door is Bar Heather, which is a bit more grown up and sophisticated with a French influence.”

If you’ve got the time, you could look for one of Robertson’s favourites in Murwillumbah, a 40-minute drive up the highway. “I reckon the best restaurant in the Northern Rivers right now is Bistro Livi,” he says. “Everything is delicious. I had really good ox tongue last time, but my favourite dish is the spanner crab – it’s basically loads of garlic on a crumpet.”

Hike, surf and fly

While you could easily spend your Byron time indoors, stuffing yourself with spanner crab crumpets, the region is also a playground of outdoor adventures (and the Lexus GX is a great way to navigate them, with its sophisticated and user-friendly multimedia system, and high-tech suspension for comfort and stability – not to mention front-seat massagers in the Sports Luxury model). For Robertson, a few activities are particularly exciting.

On Ewingsdale Road, right next to Three Blue Ducks, hot-air balloon company Balloon Aloft does “really cool” dawn rides. The view once you’re up there, Robertson says, is worth the early rise. “You can see the contours of the land. You can just see how interesting it is, the hinterland and the ocean … It’s lovely.”

For more physical activity, Robertson heads to Minyon Falls in the hinterland. “It’s a bit off-piste, up a little track, but it’s really well worth the drive,” he says. “You can either do the easy 10-minute venture and see an impressive waterfall, or you can do the one-hour, not-so-kid-friendly hiking track.”

And, Robertson says, there’s a premier local break for surfers of all abilities. “If you’ve never been to Byron, you have to go to The Pass. It’s world-class – absolutely stunning.”

Watch: Smoked Oysters & Wild Seagreens | Foraging with Darren Robertson in Byron Bay

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Lexus.

Multi-Terrain Monitor available on Overtrail models only. Driver assists feature. Only operates under certain conditions. Check your Owner’s Manual for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely. Wash the exterior and underside of the vehicle with fresh water immediately after driving through seawater to prevent damage. GX550 Overtrail model shown in photography.

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Lexus

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Lexus
Learn more about partner content on Broadsheet.

Broadsheet promotional banner