Over the last decade Byron Bay has changed dramatically from "hippy" to "trendy chic".The new Noosa.
Kombi Vans have been replaced by BMWs and women in long hemp dresses have moved to Mullumbimby just down the road.
The new Byron is a centre of culture and art, the beach and shopping.
Byron Bay was named by Captain James Cook on 15 May 1770, after John Byron, a navigator and the grandfather of the poet Lord Byron.
Fletcher Street is the place to shop in Byron Bay, class meets beach culture.. In Sweet Papillou, local jewellery maker Nicole sits behind a curtain all day and churns out masterpieces fit for the classiest of hippies.

Try and walk past Emporio's explosion of colour without stepping in to marvel at lovingly laid-out homewares and eco-gems. Pompidou for denim and shoes.

For girly fashion bargains, go to Hunter. On your way out of Byron, hit the Arts and Industry Estate for good bargains, hidden local designers.

Most locals in Byron are all about quality of life and a popular form of exercise is yoga, try Byron Bay Yoga for wellbeing retreats and beach classes. Other forms of local exercise are pure entertainment, such as trapezing, belly dancing, fire-twirling and capoeira. And if you're feeling like a daredevil Down Under, why not give hang-gliding, scuba or surfing a go?

If you're passionate about food, Byron is definitely the destination for you. For the finest organic supermarket, hit the Green Garage on Tennyson Street.Try and resist the macadamia pearls and Murrumbooee's local tomato sauce.

For bizarre Australian fare, visit Wholly Smoked Organic Foods on Jonson Street. It looks just like a butcher but sells the craziest of meats, from ostrich to wallaby tail, local goat to wild rabbit.

Red Ginger Food Store on Jonson Street sells the best of teas, teapots and Asian snacks. Most people hit the regular Byron Bay market, but if you're into perfect produce, go to the farmers' market instead every Thursday from 8-11am in Butler Street Reserve.

For those with a sweet tooth, check out L'Ultimate a great patisserie visited by locals rather than tourists and boasting the best chocolate eclairs in NSW. For a classy romantic dinner, hit the restaurant at The Byron at Byron , set on a terrace overlooking the private rainforest, you'll get to sample local produce such as pork with pecorino culurzones (that's like ravioli) with saffron and sage sauce, organic leaves from the farmers' market and a local seafood tasting plate.

The Byron Bay Cookie Company produces exotic bush tucker biscuits with Aussie ingredients like lemon myrtle and wattle seed , perfect for a take-home pressie.

For the most beautiful dusk, hit Tallow Beach where the wild waves and pink sunset give the impression of the world being on fire. If you're into history, visit Belongil Beach, complete with the old wreck of the Wollongbar which was washed from Byron jetty in the 1920s. The Pass is the place for die-hard surfers and if you've got little nippers, hit Wategos family-friendly beach. Loads of nature-inspired treks and outings are on offer in Byron too, such as whale-watching and horse riding.

For a night out the place to be is the Beach Hotel in Bay Lane. It's got a great beer garden overlooking the beach and a very impressive line-up of bands.

But a good hidden spot for the old hippy Byron feel is still The Buddha Bar in the Arts Factory Village.

Byron Bay boasts a subtropical climate of warm summers and mild winters, perfect for an escape at any time. The likelihood of rain is higher during the warmer months, the majority falling as storms and showers in the late afternoon and evening. Winters are traditionally drier, most days clear and sunny.
Spring, September to November 14-25 C.
Summer, December to February 20-28 C.
Autumn, March to May 15-27 C.
Winter, June to August 12-20 C.