Have Fun In The Sun In The Beachside Town Of Byron Bay

Byron Bay, located on the far north coast of NSW, is not a major metropolitan center by any stretch of the imagination. The entire Byron Shire area boasts a population of just over thirty thousand while the town of Byron Bay itself, Australia's easternmost town, has just about 5000 permanent residents. Their small population doesn't stop them from playing host to over one and a half million guests each year, though.

The massive popularity of Byron Bay is a fairly new phenomenon. Until the late 60s, it was merely a peaceful country town whose only claim to fame was as the biggest producer of dairy products within the Southern Hemisphere. Back then, the only tourists were the surfers who came there to ride the "secret spot" known only as The Pass. The Pass didn't remain a secret for very long, though and when the Flower Children heard about Byron Bay from the Soul Surfers who discovered it, it quickly developed into a haven for the seventies' alternative lifestyle community.

These enterprising new arrivals started a lot of Byron Bay's first vacation oriented businesses. They opened surf shops, gift shops, galleries, arts and crafts shops, cafes and, most significantly, backpackers' resorts. Word spread about Byron Bay mostly by word of mouth and by the early eighties, it was on every young globetrotter's "must see" list. Attracted by the laid-back way of life, the spectacular beaches as well as the wonderful surrounding countryside, they came in droves.

In 1990, the Arts Factory, a popular backpackers resort, hosted the first Byron Bay BluesFest. Even BluesFest organizers didn't realize that they were making history with that initial event. The crowd far exceeded expectations and the Blues Festival remains an annual event to this day, though it outgrew its original venue many years ago. More than any other single event, this first music festival led to an explosion of global interest in Byron Bay.

Byron Bay's new-found prosperity led to more development, but it has always been kept in check by the locals' fierce determination to keep it from becoming another highrise resort town like Surfers Paradise. Their efforts have largely paid off and to this day, Byron Bay somehow manages to hang on to its unique character and yet still cater to the millions of tourists who flock there each year.

There is a lot more to Byron Shire than what Lawson and Jonson Streets, the main streets of town, have to offer. You can get a better perspective from the Byron Bay Lighthouse. From high above the city on Australia's eastern tip, you command a sweeping view of the entire scenic panorama. Up there on the green hills behind Byron Bay are numerous other fascinating places to explore and you can easily do so by shuttlebus tour or by car.

Today, surfers and alternative lifestylers mix freely with families and jet-setting tourists in Byron Bay. There's something for everybody there. If you want a cheap but healthy vegetarian meal, it's as easy to find as is gourmet restaurant. Whether you are looking for a luxurious five star resort or an inexpensive backpackers lodge, you will find the perfect Byron Bay Accommodation for your needs. In particular, if you're looking for fun and relaxation, you will find it in abundance in Byron.