The Insiders: Byron Bay with brewer Alastair Gillespie

South African-born Alastair Gillespie, head brewer at the Byron Bay Brewery, has got to know the best spots in town.

Alastair Gillespie, head brewer at the Byron Bay Brewery.

RELAX: I enjoy heading out to Suffolk Park Bakery; there’s often live music to listen to while you sip a coffee. The staff are friendly and can be seen and heard singing away as they bake in the background. It also helps that the location is en route to Lennox Head and Broken Head, which have great surf spots, so there’s generally a salt-crusted crowd descending on the almond croissants and haloumi-filled toasted sandwiches; 2 Clifford Street.

BUY: I don’t veer too far from the Byron Farmers’ Market, held every Thursday from 7am to 11am. It sets up in Butler Street Reserve, close to the Byron Bay Brewery, so it’s easy to grab a samosa and freshly made fruit juice on the way to work. Stalls sell a seasonal selection of fresh veg and fruit and there’s live music keeping the buzz festive; byronfarmersmarket.com.au.

UNWIND: Tallow Beach is a great summer spot as its northern end (appropriately called Cosy Corner) is protected from the prevailing winds. It has pretty consistent surf and the fishing off the rocks is good, too. As it faces east it’s also a phenomenal place to watch sun and moon rises; visitbyronbay.com.

EXPLORE: Broken Head Nature Reserve feels tucked away and secluded although it’s only about 15 minutes from town. A lovely forested drive on a somewhat bumpy dirt road takes you to Whites Beach, which is probably my favourite in this national park. It’s in a small cove and has lots of sea life.

ENJOY: I’m biased, but I like to show off our newly renovated brewery and let guests sample my latest brews while listening to live music. On Wednesday nights we host an open-mic event and have great artists giving it a crack, vying to win a gig the following week.

EAT: I enjoy letting the enticing aromas of Bay Lane guide me to one of the many food spots on this narrow, bustling street near Main Beach. After sampling a free falafel on the corner, many people head to Orgasmic Falafels, but there’re also amazing pizzas at Il Buco, authentic Japanese food at Izakaya Gallery Kura and spicy Thai food at Thai Lucy.

South African-born Alastair Gillespie developed a passion for craft beer while on a working holiday in California, following his study of fungi (mycology) in Cape Town. He is now head brewer at Byron Bay Brewery;

byronbaybrewery.com.au.

Insiders editor: Graham Erbacher