Author(s): Tricia Shantz (As told to, Compiled by)

Surfing

How Byron went from provincial abattoir town to hippie surfer underground enclave to a world-class culture and festival mecca with some of the priciest real estate in Australia. These are the stories of the young American and Australian surfers, who came to Byron in search of that different life. A surfing life (style) gave them a new outlook and another way of refreshing change. It offered the smell of a new way of freedom. They were the new pioneers of that era. One could still actually ride a horse into town. They built their own houses. The 'Yanks' started businesses because there were few alternatives to mining, the smelly, bloody abattoir and whaling or a nine to five lifestyle. Byron Bay was a small, working class town when they came. With few jobs to be had the Americans brought their business acumen and desire to stay and to make a living. They opened vegetarian café/restaurants, music venues, and surf shops. They created surf clothing, legropes music alternative newspapers and surf films. It became a hothouse of cultural activity. They were the catalyst for the change that came. They were the reason that Byron is what it is today.