The town itself is a very laid-back place, which encourages sustainable transport for moving around the area, and is a very popular location for backpackers travelling the eastern Australian coast. Like many parts of Australia, Byron Bay combines the more laid-back lifestyle with more extreme pursuits. The towns many beaches are great for whiling away a day or two, stretching back into lush areas of forest that are home to many different species of plant and animal life. Its marine wildlife is also a massive draw to tourists both international and Australian, with whale watching a popular activity which helps to conserve marine life and contributes significantly to the local economy.

The waters around the cape are very popular for scuba diving, particularly Julian Rocks, a pair of small islands 2.5km offshore from Byron Bay which is surrounded by a marine reserve. Above the waves, surfing is the predominant activity, followed by sky-diving, which is attractive because of the views gained of the beautiful surrounding area. In short, a much changed place from the wild and untamed place James Cook discovered in 1770.

Reaching Byron Bay from international destinations is easiest through Sydney, which lies 759km to the south. From there, a slow journey north along the coastal towns or a direct bus or train journey are a couple of the options available. Travel insurance is important for this area of the world, especially if taking part in any extreme sports. Make sure you use a reputable broker, and remember to make sure your travel insurance policy covers you for taking part in extreme sports- many standard policies don’t and you will need to arrange additional cover.