Byron Bay is a town in the state of New South Wales on the eastern most point of the mainland of Australia. The town is the nucleus of Byron Shire, which has in excess of 30,000 people (ABS est. 2003).

Captain James Cook named the area Byron after John Byron.

Byron Bay is located 20kms north of Ballina, about 800 km north of Sydney and 200 km south of Brisbane. Cape Byron, a headland adjacent to the town, is the eastern-most point of the continent of Australia, and is part of a giant volcanic crater.

However if low water mark is counted, then Flat Rock to the south near Ballina is just slightly further east.

The Cape Byron lighthouse was opened in 1901, and has the most powerful beacon in Australia. The town has several beautiful beaches and it is a resort popular with both domestic and international tourists, including backpackers, who travel along the Australian coast.

The town is popular with residents from all socio-economic backgrounds and walks of life. It is famous for its laid back and alternative lifestyle, but also has a higher proportion of Baby Boomers (27%) than any other town in Australia.

Events such as yoga retreats, pagan gatherings, raves and music festivals, including the East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival and Splendour in the Grass, are based in Byron Bay. The area is also noted for its wildlife, with the whale watching industry a significant contributor to the local economy.

Byron Bay Cape is popular with surfers, who come for the famous breaks at The wreck, The Pass and Wategoes. Hang-gliders too are drawn to the headland to launch from its 65m cliff.

The Cape is also a great spot to watch the dolphins surfing and the annual whale migration.

Byron is a popular spot with great swimming, fishing, snorkeling, sailing and just about everything else you can do in a coastal town.But best of all, you can relax here.

Probably the easiest way to get to Byron, is to land at the airport in Ballina which has many daily flights from Sydney as well as several flights from Melbourne during the week.

You then travel through picturesque Ballina, along the majestic coastline to Lennox Head and then through the cane fields to finally arrive in byron Bay.

Many drive up the long coastal eastern highway which is undergoing many upgrades to improve its safety.

Unless you are after backpacker style lodging then accommodation can be rather expensive here and it is recommended staying in Lennox Head or Ballina can offer many more benefits, and as well you get the added extras that this rich enjoyable region has to offer.

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