The only guide you need to experience the best of Byron Bay

Where to eat, drink, stay and play in the NSW hotspot.

Byron Bay Hotel & Apartments: Located in the heart of Byron Bay - right in the middle of busy restaurants, bars and boutiques, and just three minutes' walk to Main Beach - this property is perfect for families, with King Rooms as well as one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Stock up at Aldi, located in the same complex as the hotel, then use your well-equipped kitchen to cook up a feast, or head to one of the hotel's own restaurants (such as Asian-fusion Bang Bang, see below). An outdoor swimming pool will keep the kids happy, while parents will love free onsite car parking. From $260 per room, per night; byronbayhotelapartments.com.au

The Atlantic: Swaying palms, a shimmering magnesium pool and timber decks that weave their way through lush tropical gardens ... the Atlantic - with a distinct coastal vibe - knows how to dial up the hipster factor. Check in to a Casual Room with a private verandah frequented by resident goannas, or ask for a Tropical Room on the first floor for a private balcony with views of the pool and gardens. From $295 per room, per night; atlanticbyronbay.com.au

Raes on Wategos: If money's no object then this august establishment, located right on Wategos Beach, has your name on it. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Spanish Mission-style hotel is the last word in luxury. There are no rooms here - just five suites and two penthouses, all with stunning period details - terracotta tiles, wrought-iron accents, stucco walls and arched doorways.

The lead rates are steep (from $780 per night in winter; usually from $1200 per night), and one great way to experience the hotel - even if you're not staying there - is to book a table at the onsite restaurant, Raes Dining Room, where mod-Oz fare comes with a side of sea views. raes.com.au

Three Blue Ducks: Set on a 32-hectare farm, this is a Byron Bay institution - a family-friendly haunt where you can grab a picnic hamper (packed with locally sourced cheeses, charcuterie, dips and bread) and find a spot in the sun, or nab a table at the alfresco restaurant.

Favourites range from parmesan scrambled eggs with charred-onion jam for breakfast and miso-glazed eggplant with chilli peanut for lunch to delightfully tender Massaman lamb shanks for dinner. threeblueducks.com/byron

Harvest Newrybar: No trip to Byron Bay is complete without at least one meal at this restaurant, deli and bakery, which was serving up fresh produce from its own backyard long before farm-to-fork and paddock-to-plate became buzzwords. Explore the onsite gardens then pick from the hard-to-decide menu. Lobster laced with spiced aioli, perhaps? Or how about Ballina prawns with koji salt?

Just don't forget to drop in at the "shop", where you can pick a piece of Harvest - from truffled hot sauce to house-made lavosh - and take it home with you. Perfect memento. harvest.com.au

Bang Bang: So good is the food and so upbeat is the atmosphere at this Asian-fusion joint that it's hard to believe it's part of a hotel (Byron Bay Hotel & Apartments). Nab a table in the dining room proper, with distressed walls and a show-stealing chandelier; grab a spot in the leafy garden; or simply pull up a stool at the bar. Irrespective of where you end up, friendly service and finger-licking food - think sticky pork belly and chilli-basil barramundi - are guaranteed. bangbangbyronbay.com

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Walk: They say you only need a couple of hours to experience the 3.7-kilometre Cape Byron walking track. But that's a lie. So gobsmacking are the ocean vistas here that if you're doing this for the first time, you should definitely set aside at least half a day.

The walk takes you to the utterly scenic Cape Byron Lighthouse, which sits on Australia's most easterly point, and at this time of the year (between May and November) even offers views of migrating whales.

Shop: Byron Bay has a vibe of its own and one of the best ways to really soak it up is by visiting some of its stylish boutiques.

Head to Spell (15 Browning Street, Byron Bay) for boho-chic dresses, bags, hats and jewellery; Nagnata (139 Jonson Lane, Byron Bay) for environmentally conscious men's and women's clothing in bold colours; and Tigmi (13 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay) for a huge selection of furniture and homewares - from vintage to cutting-edge.

Swim: Heavenly beaches is the reason why Byron Bay is so famous. Main Beach is the main event, fringed with family-friendly restaurants. South of it is Clarkes, and north of it is Belongil - both comparatively less crowded, but also often unpatrolled.

The Byron Bay magic does not stop in Byron Bay proper; towns, suburbs, hinterland nooks and coastal stretches near the NSW hotspot are dotted with some extraordinary places to stay. Here are our top four picks.

Halcyon House: Located on Cabarita Beach, about 30 minutes north of Byron Bay, this whitewashed hotel with striking blue accents is a destination in its own right. If the bright-coloured rooms with statement wallpapers don't leave you swooning, the delicious fare at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant will surely do the trick.

Gaia Retreat & Spa: About 20 minutes south-west of Byron Bay, this wellness haven is set on an eight-hectare property with sweeping hinterland views. Retreats range from two- to seven-night packages, with luxurious accommodation, and gourmet restaurant that serves clean, nutritious food.

Soma Byron Bay: If Gaia is a lush hinterland beauty, the architecturally stunning Soma is the Tom Ford of wellness retreats. Nicole Kidman-starrer Nine Perfect Strangers was filmed here, so you're guaranteed a memorable stay, just 15 minutes inland from Byron Bay.

Sun Ranch: This fairly new 22-hectare retreat - a 15-minute drive from Byron Bay - has just been ranked among Time magazine's World's Greatest Places to visit in 2024. To find out why, read our review of the property at exploretravel.com.au