Local and international celebrities make Byron the place to be
It’s normal to spot a Hemsworth or two at Byron Bay, on the NSW north coast — but the uber-cool beachside township is bursting at the seams with local and international celebs right now. SEE WHO’S IN TOWN.
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If you’re an avid celebrity stargazer, get ready to head north because Byron Bay is the place to be right now.
With borders closed and NSW residents looking to holiday closer to home, the uber-cool beachside township is bursting at the seams in what would usually be a comparatively quiet time of year.
A movie and two major television productions are providing the star power, too, with the likes of Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans and Samara Weaving all in Byron for US television series, Nine Perfect Strangers.
Zac Efron has been based in Byron for at least six months, secretly enjoying the laid-back offerings until paparazzi blew his cover.
And then there are the many celebrities popping up north for mini-breaks, including former Home And Away starlet Pia Miller, who enjoyed a romantic getaway with multi-millionaire Hollywood agent partner Patrick Whitesell this week following the completion of his compulsory 14-day quarantine after he flew in from the US.
The couple hired a driver and enjoyed a long lunch at The Top Shop in downtown Byron on Wednesday before retiring to their accommodation, Victoria’s At Wategos.
Delta Goodrem has been spending time in the area, working on new music.
She was spotted out for dinner with boyfriend Matthew Copley and former The Voice colleague Renee Bargh at trendy restaurant bar Byron Bay Treehouse on Tuesday night.
The full Hemsworth clan — Chris, wife Elsa Pataky, brothers Luke and Liam and their parents Leonie and Craig — were at a nearby table.
Just a few hours earlier, about 100m away on Belongil Beach, Luke was spotted shooting for Australian film Bosch & Rockit.
Former MasterChef contestant Mindy Woods this week opened a new eatery, Karkallah, specialising in native ingredients. As with many locals, Woods has felt the impact of international tourists not visiting because of COVID-19.
“So many Australians are coming here though,” she said. “The town is just pumping.”
Natalie Bassingthwaighte moved to Byron Bay with her partner and two kids from Melbourne just before coronavirus hit.
“We sold our house, we did everything in the right order without realising what was going to unfold,” she told the Telegraph last month.
“We are feeling very grateful and very blessed. It has been such a roller-coaster for so many people so we are feeling very lucky.”
Model Elyse Knowles, The Block host Shelley Craft and controversial chef Pete Evans are also based in Byron.
Also shooting in the area is new TV series, Eden, which will star Keiynan Lonsdale, Cody Fern and Samuel Johnson.
The Byron rumour mill went into overdrive this week with speculation of a few other international stars.
Some have suggested legendary Hollywood comedian Steve Martin has been holed up here, although there have been no confirmed sightings.
“The latest rumour is that Caitlyn Jenner is here,” a local said. “It is out of control the rumours around town.”
Jenner is not in Byron — she appeared on Seven’s The Morning Show via satellite from the US yesterday.
In the fashion stakes, sisters Isabella and Elizabeth Abegg have put Byron on the map internationally with their brand Spell, which has been worn by the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Margot Robbie, Katy Perry and Megan Fox.
A queue of more than 20 people lined up outside the flagship store on Wednesday to be among the first to wear the latest collection.
“We never sat in a mainstream or conventional place when it came to Australian fashion,” Elizabeth said. “We did things our own way. That developed a really rich community, which is still alive today.”
Originally published as Local and international celebrities make Byron the place to be
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