Brunswick Heads: From sleepy fishing village to stealing Byron Bay's spotlight
There was a time when Brunswick Heads was little more than a sleepy NSW North Coast fishing village, marked simply as a pit stop along the old Pacific Highway during family road trips.
Much has changed over the years, which is evident in the town’s persistently strong property market, fuelled by those eager to join the 1700-odd residents in the peaceful community where beachside bliss is guaranteed.
The town has a trio of stunning natural attractions: Brunswick River, Torakina beach and Park, and Brunswick Heads main beach.
Proud local Todd Buckland of Byron Shire Real Estate confidently says, “If you’re not a nature lover before arriving in town, you soon will be.
“For me, it’s always been about how easy life in Bruns is. I can walk to everything, paddle on the river most days, and there’s just no better place to raise kids.”
Beyond its coastal charms, it hosts a growing number of retail and hospitality options, from the popular Hotel Brunswick and delightful Mexican restaurant La Casita to boutique shops such as Lazybones and retro home stores like Resould.
“The town’s accessibility is also one of Bruns’ biggest attractions,” Buckland says.
“The Gold Coast Airport is only a 30-minute drive in one direction, and the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is reachable in equal time in the other. It has also become a thing to be close to Byron Bay without actually being in Byron Bay, which, conveniently, is only ever a quick 15-minute drive away.”
Built in 1950, the Brunswick Picture House is a local landmark that sat derelict for 30 years before being given a new lease of life by partners and co-owners Brett Haylock and Chris Chen.
They opened the renewed venue at Easter 2016 with an eclectic program of shows including cabaret, comedy, circus, live music and films.
“Seeing the old building with a handwritten ‘for sale’ sign in the window prompted a life-changing epiphany that led us to drop anchor here,” recalls Haylock. “Over the past six years, our business has become a destination spot. People think nothing of driving a couple of hours for quality entertainment.”
While busy providing year-round entertainment to the local community and robust tourist trade, the couple still makes the time to revel in the town’s innate splendour and “simple pleasures”, according to the welcome sign.
“It’s certainly the sweet and simple things that bring us the most joy, like a swim at high tide in the spectacular Brunswick River or a bike ride around town during dusk,” Haylock says.
One to watch
After exploring the town and swimming in the river, return home to take one last dip in the courtyard pool of this resort-style retreat with a light-filled main residence and two studio spaces.