Far North Coast NSW Insider: Kim Wildman

Travel writer and guidebook author Kim Wildman has been haunting the North Coast of New South Wales for more than 30 years now. From her first long trek down the Pacific Highway with the family in the old station wagon to Byron when she was eight years old, she was hooked for life. Having spent the better part of the last 10 years continent hopping for the likes of Lonely Planet and Bradt Travel Guides, after returning home in 2006 to rediscover her roots, Kim finally decided it was time to turn her holiday hideaway into her permanent base.

She has since contributed regularly to ninemsn and updated the latest Australia Eyewitness Travel guide. Her feature articles have appeared in Travel Africa, abouTime, Stamford Life, Australian Women's Health, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Melbourne Age, MSN New Zealand and Voyageur. When she's not scouring the earth for her adventure, you'll find her hanging out with her family and friends in the hills near Bangalow.

What's your favourite thing to do on a Sunday?

The first thing I do on a Sunday is check out where the markets are on and head there (Byron, The Channon, Bangalow) to pick up some fresh fruit and vegies and any unique treasures I can find. Then afterwards it's off to meet friends for a pub lunch at the Bangalow Hotel.

How would you spend a long weekend?

Personally, if I could find the time to have a long weekend I'd simply spend it in the hammock with a good book. The only time I'd get up would be to wander to the beach for a walk or swim and to the fridge for drink or a snack. Then I'd repeat the whole process all over again for the next couple of days ... bliss! But if I'm feeling a little more energetic and sociable, I'd gather a few friends and go camping and hiking in either Nightcap or Mount Warning national parks.

What's your idea of a good night out?

My idea of the perfect night out would start with afternoon session at the Beach Hotel with friends to drink a few G&Ts; as the sun sets. Then move on to dinner at Orient Express, before checking out a gig at the the Great Northern and finishing up with dinks at The Balcony to watch the passing parade of people as they wander down Byron's main drag.

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