Thursday morning I woke up at 8 to do a Whale watch tour with Byron Bay Dive Centre. I had to be there at 9 and when I went in at 8:45 it was already full of people. I filled in a form and waited till Rob told us what to do. He divided the group in two, 8 persons a boat. My boat captain was Rob and his assistant Louis and they prepared us for the whale watch tour. First they gave us a jacket for on the boat and after we had to sit down in the garden of the dive centre to get a briefing before leaving. They told us what we were going to see and some safety drills. After this we all went in jeeps to go to the beach.

On the beach they told us how to get in the boat and after everybody was set Rob drove us to open sea. After a couple of minutes he stops to explain a bit more about the Bay and about the whales we were searching for.

During the talk we saw a breath of a whale so we dropped the nous direction the whales and hoped they would show up again. This whole game repeated itself a couple of times before we saw a whale jumping a 100 meter away from us. The next two whales were coming to us and we waited a couple of minutes for them till they showed up 10 meters from the boat and scared us with their huge bodies. They went down under the boat which gave us a perfect view on how big these fishes are.

On the way back we went to Jullian Rock to spot some sea turtles and after that it was time to go back to the bay because they had to pick up a new group. I had seen some whales before but never so close, so it was definitely worth it and a great experience to me. If you feel like whale watching, just go to the MAD travel shop in the Arts Factory Backpackers lodge and book one of the whale watch tours in Byron Bay.

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Last week I went to Hervey Bay to do the Nomads Fraser Island tour. I went from the Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge in Byron Bay by car to Hervey Bay and stayed Tuesday night in Nomads Hervey Bay backpackers hostel. I arrived Tuesday around 3pm and after my check in and a free dinner I went to the tv room for the Fraser Briefing. They told us what to do and what to bring and that we were going to leave the hostel at 9 the next morning and that we had to be ready at 6:45 in the morning!!!

I was with a group of 7 friends from the Arts Factory and we all decided to go the bed early after we had done some chopping for the week. The next morning we all woke up on time and prepared our self for a great Fraser week. At 7 everybody was in the TV room again and here we met Captain Kirk, our Fraser Island tour guide. A great guy with a lot of travel experience and who knows a lot of the biggest sand Island in the world. After he divided us in groups of 8, we prepared the 4×4 jeeps to go to the boat.

The trip to the boat took us 30 min and after that a 45 min boat trip to the Island. On the Island we downed the wheel pressure and went to Central station. Here we had a time for a picnic before we went into the rain forest to see amazing trees and some wild life. After this we went back to the jeep to go to a fresh water river and after that it was time to go to our camp where we had to sleep that night. The camp was great with good facilities. We made our dinner and after the party was on around a nice and warm camp fire.

The next day we woke up at 7 and left the place around 8 to go to some lakes and to a great view point north of the island. During the trip we saw a lot of wild life which was great. Dolphins, whales, dingo’s, sea eagles and so on. The trips we made took us the whole day and we saw a lot of Fraser Island. In between we had a lot of fun with all the people we met and that was also the reason why the second night was even better then the first. The third day we went to three beautiful lakes with turtles, white sand and green/blue water. And after that it was time to go back to Hervey Bay.

Back in Hervey Bay we checked in again and got another free meal and after a small party in the pub next door we all went to bed, because we didn’t sleep that much on the Island. All together was this trip the best I have ever done in Australia. Met a lot of new people and saw a lot of wild life. Great experience and easy to book at the MAD travel desk in your Nomads hostel.

Find out more about Nomads Fraser Island Tours – http://frasermyway.com

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Australia’s number one national travel show Getaway is coming to The Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge on Monday 19th July and Tuesday 20th July with presenter Jules Lund.  Getaway airs weekly at 7.30pm Thursdays on NBN. Getaway is also shown on Foxtel’s ‘W’ Channel and internationally in New Zealand.

Getaway will be filming all aspects of The Arts Factory backpackers Lodge including Teepees, the Surf Shack, the nunnery, the campground and the various workshops that we have around the Arts Factory village (Reiki with Denise, Didgeridoo making etc) …so put on your best fishermans pants, you’re going to be on camera SMILE !

On the first day the Getaway Travel show team are at The Arts Factory filming (Monday 19th July) we’ll be holding a rehearsal for the fire twirling Guinness world record attempt, the rehearsal will be filmed by the Getaway team, so get involved, we need as many fire twirlers as possible.  Keep your eyes peeled for more information on the actual Guinness world record attempt to be held on Saturday August 14th at “The Arts Factory Open Day”

Here’s a video of how the news reported our World record making attempt of most people fire twirling at the same time from last year.

Filming will start Monday around 2.30pm. Fire twirling will take place around 4pm as the sun goes down, to the beats of Alberts drumming workshop. We will also be holding the talent show early on Monday evening so grab your guitars and of course your goon and entertain or be entertained !

Tuesday morning Cockatoo Paul will be lead us on his famous Bush Tucker walk around the property. So once again come along and join in it’s going to be a fun couple of days and you might even learn something new !

Your support would be greatly appreciated !

 

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Monday morning 4.30 Holland will play Spain in the World Cup Soccer final. We have some Dutchies working at the Arts Factory backpackers lodge, and they are planning to make a huge party of this event. Sunday 2.00pm the party will start with a soccer tournament. Meet at the reception at 2.00pm and play in teams of 3. There will be prizes to be won.

The whole hostel will be in the theme of both countries. Spanish and Dutch music, flags and balloons. There will be face painting and a lot of fun. Bring all your friends and your own drinks and make this grand final the best party you had in Australia!! Don’t forget the accommodation specials for this weekend. Stay two nights for only $30 or stay four nights and pay only three nights. See you all at The Arts Factory backpackers Lodge!!

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Last year the Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge Byron Bay attempted to break a Guinness World Record for the most people spinning fire at the same time, 102 people turned up and we got the record, this record has stood solid for 12 months with no contest.

But we think we can do better !!

So come  August 14th  The Arts Factory backpackers Lodge will once again open its doors and attempt to break its own Guinness world record!

The open day will start at mid-day and go till midnight. There will be a great farmers market, live music, food and drink stalls, drum and poi workshops and much much more. This is a child friendly event and we encourage you to bring along friends and family.

Because this is an official Guinness world record attempt you DO need to pre-register to be a part of the action! Pre-registration is as simple as sending an email with a few of your details to  angie@artsfactory.com.au

On the 14th of august at 8pm sharp we will make the attempt and fill the car park at The Arts Factory Village with the magical spectacle of spinning fire and we hope you can join us in breaking our previous record, relax in the Arts Factory Village and just enjoy a great day you will surely remember.

Check out the video below of all our fire-twirlers at the Arts Factory backpackers lodge Guiness World Record breaking attempt last year!

If you would like to stay in The Arts Factory backpackers Lodge over this weekend we highly recommend you book a few weeks in advance as it will be busy and full of fire-twirling fun-lovers.

Don’t miss your chance to be immortalised in Guinness world record and Arts Factory Village history!

See you in Byron Bay NSW Australia on August 14 2010

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Two Byron Bay hostels, two great Byron Bay accommodation specials during the semi-finals and finals of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The semi finals and the finals of the Soccer World Cup are getting closer and closer. The world cup will be more interesting with the best teams left for the last finals. Will it be Germany or Spain or does Holland make a change to win their first World Cup… I’m really looking forward to the last games of the world cup and I’m lucky because I live in the Arts Factory backpackers lodge and they show all games on a huge flat screen TV!!

I work in Nomads Byron Bay backpackers hostel and there they also have an impressive TV to watch all the games.

Now will it be that both properties of Nomads Hostels in Byron Bay have a special accommodation deal from the 6^th till the 11^th of July to make the finals a great party. You pay only $30 if you stay two nights OR, if you want to stay longer, you pay for three nights and you stay for four nights. Means one night for FREE!!

During the games there will be a big party going on with great prizes, for example a free trip to Fraser Island with Nomads Fraser Island Tours. The Soccer World Cup party will be for everybody who likes to party. Paint your face in the colors of your country, make your own team to play with and go for it!! Don’t even think about where to go to. Book your beds in now and have the best world cup of your live in Australia. Nomads Byron Bay backpackers hostel and the Arts factory backpackers Lodge are celebrating the World Soccer Cup!!

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Saturday the 14th of August the Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge will have an open day together with the other businesses of the Arts factory Village. The day will start at 12 Midday, with a local market, workshops, live music and you are free to walk in around the  Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge or the Byron Bay Brewery with its lounge cinema. You can buy food and drinks at the Arts Factory Surfers Café and at the Buddha Bar and Restaurant if you get hungry after you have done some great activities.

The whole day is family friendly and will be a great day out. At 8.00pm there will be a Guinness World Record Attempt for Most People Spinning Fire at the same time. This will be a great final of the day. Everyone who wants to participate must pre-register with angie@artsfactory.com.au

The sites where you can keep yourself up to date about this great event are: The Arts Factory Facebook fanpage, Nomads Byron Bay Backpackers facebook fanpage or on here! Or follow The Arts Factory on twitter

During this event it will be very busy in both Nomads hostels in Byron Bay, so we recommend you to book a bed soon to be sure you don’t miss this while you’re in Australia. We all hope to see you the 14^th of August 2010 at the Arts Factory Backpackers Village in Byron Bay.

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Saturday 26^th of June 2010 was a landmark for the Bay and Matty Alexander, who played his 100^th game for the club. The weather turned it on as well providing a beautiful winter’s day with clear skies and a slight but chilly north-west wind. Which was a good reason for The Arts Factory rugby clan to show up and support their Byron bay boys.

Murwillumbah won the toss and decided to run with the wind in the first half, things started off well for the visitors, with one of the biggest forward packs in the competition, they were pushing the Bay around the park and winning most of the rucks and mauls. Gaining two quick penalties inside Byron’s half, the visitors went out to a six-nil lead. The Bay quickly re-grouped and battled hard, deciding to run the big forwards around the park to wear them down, which proved fruitful, a great backline move from the Bay saw break away Paul slice through the visitors defence. With only the fullback to beat, he drew him in before passing to Mitchy to score under the sticks. Murwillumbah hit back with some great placement kicks using the wind, forced the Bay back onto their own try line, Defending their life. Holding out multiple attacking set phases before the visitors sent it wide to the backline which saw the first receiver running inside angle to score next to the posts.
With the score tight and emotions high it wasn’t long before things got a little feisty. With the forwards keeping it close, it wasn’t long before they out muscled the opposition and saw Paul being pushed over by a determined Byron pack just before half time.

In the second half, the boys were on a roll, seeing Murbah’s big boys were struggling and kept the pressure on. With their confidence up, the ball was being thrown around the backline looking for weaknesses in the Murbah defence which was proving to be very tight. The breakthrough came when it went to the wide winger Mitch, who beat a couple of “would be” tacklersand with only the fullback to beat, showed a classy inside step to score once again under the sticks, which left him with 19 points next to his name for the match. End score was 24-13. Next game will be at Bangalow, start at 2.30. Everybody from the Arts Factory Lodge is welcome again to support this winning team.

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Finally after two weeks break there was the time to play a game. We took the bus down to Evans Head with a good backline and a complete forward pack, with Fabien in the backline and Peter in the forwards, both players who live in the Arts factory Backpackers Lodge. Byron Bay started strong and held possession for the first ten minutes. Through good defense of Evans we didn’t made a try.

The first try came after some good lead up work by the forwards which seen Dan Ryan go over out wide. The backs were having a mixed day with Matt Alexander directing play down field and a bit of quick thinking saw Fabien our flying French winger score, the half time score was 10-0, which should have been a lot more for the amount of ball Byron had.

The second half started with 5 penalties against Byron which had them on the back foot for the first 15 minutes and in that period Evans scored a well deserved try to their halfback Les Huges. Byron bounced back straight away with a well constructed try after the forwards won good ball and released the backs seeing Mitch Loane again on the score sheet also converting his own try. For some reason the ref got confused with the time and called full time after that, the final score being 17-7.

Matt Alexander will be having his 100^th game for Byron this weekend the 26^th at Byron against Murwillumbah, the team  will be playing for next year as Matt has been living up in Murwillumbah for the past 8 months. Matt was President in 2006 & 2007 and has been in the club for 8 years, holding many other positions with the club in that time, the club hopes we can have good support, also from the Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge to see Matt run on for his 100^th game. Which starts at 2.30pm.

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Yesterday, Sunday the 20th of June, I woke up and after I had my rugby game on Saturday it is always good to have a short run up to the Byron Bay lighthouse to recover a bit and to enjoy the ocean view. I started running from the Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge with my mate around 11.00Am and we arrived on the top around 11.30. Lots of people were whale watching and they told us that one passed by the lighthouse a couple of minutes ago. We waited for I think three more minutes till we saw two whales really close to the rocks down the light house.

These were my first whales I have ever seen in wild. Two beautiful massive whales swimming right under the light house. They swim really slow so we had time enough to see them really good. After a couple of meters one of them started to slap his tail on the water. And this all for free and one of my best experiences i’ve had in Australia. I will book a whale watch tour soon at the MAD travel desk in the Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge to see these great animals as close as possible.

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