We love a quickie to Byron Bay? Simon Webster gets the jump on the latest attractions.
Being doused with petrol and set alight isn't what most people would consider holiday fun. While some want nothing more exciting from a long weekend than trying a new cocktail every day, others just aren't satisfied unless they've been turned into a human fireball.
Fortunately, that is now a possibility, thanks to the Universal Peace Centre Retreat (upc.com.au) near the village of Uki in the Byron Bay hinterland.
Australia's very own Bollywood star Tania Zaetta will be the host for the first Face Your Fears Ultimate Extreme Retreat, for which only 20 spaces are available.
As well as abseiling down a 60-metre oceanside cliff, participants will try their hand at stunt driving at a performance driving centre, a high fall into a stunt airbag, skydiving and, of course, being turned into a human fireball.
Stuntman Colin Handley will be on hand with his years of experience in Hollywood and Bollywood to help participants look terrified as they run around engulfed in flames for 20 seconds.
Then again, maybe the fear will just come to you naturally.
The three-day extreme retreat will take place from May 22 to 24 and costs $8950 all-inclusive, with helicopter and limousine transfers from one death-defying event to another.
The five-star centre's more typical offerings include six-day executive relaxation spa retreats, 10-day silent meditation retreats, weekend relaxation spa retreats and romantic tantra getaways, at which teacher Oceana helps couples reconnect and discover the sacredness within sexuality.
Organic food and a rainforest setting with views of Mount Warning should help light your fire one way or the other.
The retreat also operates as a day spa, with treatments including butterfly dreaming, which comprises a Dead Sea salt scrub with grapefruit and lime, a clay body mask infused with ginger and a massage using aromatherapy.
As the undisputed capital of the Australian wellness industry, Byron Bay offers more varieties of massage, yoga and meditation than you can poke a Hopi ear candle at. Among the latest offerings is a seashell massage from Ripple (ripplemassage.com.au), "the day spa that comes to you".
Scented oils are heated in cowrie shells before being poured over the body. Other shells, such as ginger scallops, are used as massage tools. That should guarantee the sound of the ocean lapping in your ears.
For those who feel the urge to explore the outer world as well as the inner, a new artists' trail (www.byronartisttrail.com) provides a guide to the Byron Arts and Industry Park, home to 13 studios and galleries and a couple of cafes at which visitors can ponder which artist is worthy of their patronage.
Works on display include the sandblasted glass art of Clearlight Designs, the nudes and portraits of oil painter Byron Tik, the silk screens and block printing of Anne Leon and the mystical work of Ella Risebrow, who invites visitors to sit and be painted as a fairy, mermaid, hobbit or elf.
More help in exploring the Far North Coast comes from the Byron at Byron Resort and Spa (thebyronatbyron.com.au). It has introduced free tours of the Byron Bay organic farmers' market for guests every Thursday morning, conducted by the resort's chef, who should know a thing or two about heirloom tomatoes and prize marrows.
The resort encourages its guests to get out and about with a full-day hinterland drive itinerary (self-drive or chauffeur-driven) and a series of packages that include options for balloon flights over the hinterland and night-vision walks.
The resort also has girls' weekends away, babymoon and connoisseurs' packages.
Fine diners might want to try Byron Bay's recently opened homage to traditional French cuisine, the Petit Snail (thepetitsnail.com.au), which offers dishes such as canard aux peches (duck with peaches), filet de sandre farci a l'oseille sur beurre blanc (freshwater perch fillet with French sorrel stuffing on lemon butter) and, of course, escargots de bourgogne (snails in garlic butter).
Long-established seafood restaurant Fishheads (fishheadsbyron.com.au), overlooking Byron's Main Beach, is giving back to the community next month by raising funds for Uncle, a mentoring program for boys who would benefit from positive male role models.
Adventurous visitors to Byron who can't or won't cough up for the extreme stuntman extravaganza might want to consider getting their adrenalin fix from Byron Landings Tandem Skydive, a new skydive business that lands in Byron Bay itself. Not, unfortunately, in the courtyard of the Beach Hotel, as post-jump punters might well be in need of a drink.
Freefalls last up to a minute, depending on how high jumpers want to go. Prices start at $249. Phone 1300 887 037.
An alternative to jumping out of a small plane is being strapped into a tiny one.
Another new company, Byron Bay Microlights (byronbaymicrolights.com.au), can help, offering coastal and hinterland flights from $170.
Finally, anyone disconcerted by how slowly the traffic moves in Byron Bay on a busy weekend might want to consider visiting from September 3-6.
This is when cars will be moving very quickly indeed as the World Rally Championship (rallyaustralia.com) comes to the hinterland town of Kyogle. (Credit: The West Australian)
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Universal Peace Centre Retreat
Colin Handley
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