Byron Bay

Bringing hippie back

Beaches, unspoilt hinterland and a relaxed lifestyle have characterised Byron for years. Initially a well kept secret, Byron Bay is now a very popular tourist destination.

If all of the relaxation and free- spiritedness of the place is too much to handle, head back to school! Surf school! The Byron Bay Surf School can take you from learning how to stand on your first wave to riding the face.

Cape Byron is not all sand and surf, though. Byron is known for award winning mountain bike tours. Go kite- boarding, kayaking, sea turtle snorkeling.

Watch the migrating Humpback whales travel past Byron Bay in June/July (or September/October), Australia’s most easterly point, on their annual migration from Antarctica to their breeding grounds off the Great Barrier Reef. See pods of bottle- nose dolphins.

The region is also rich with Aboriginal heritage. The Indigenous people of the area call the area Walgun, which means The Shoulder. It gave views, sheltered and sandy beaches, seafood, wildlife, rain forest fruits, and continual spring water.

Eco Tours take you through the pristine mountain rain forest, pools and rugged escarpments in the area. Or you can go on a Bush Adventure along the Great Dividing Range - a 3 hours drive west of Byron Bay.

With average summer temperatures of 21C – 28 C and a winter ranging from 15C – 21 C – Byron is great to visit all year around.

Byron Bay is located just off the Pacific Highway, 800kms north of Sydney, 175kms south of Brisbane. Airports are located in Ballina (30mins south) or Coolangatta (60mins north) and buses and trains arrive regularly.

With good weather and beautiful surroundings, Byron makes for a great last minute car holiday.