No other town in Australia conjures more sense of idyllic holiday than Byron Bay.  The North Coast NSW town was a sleepy fishing village on the decline that soon shot to stardom as the place for 'fashionable alternatives' to hang out and that quicklylead to holidaymecca for low key wealthy types. Now Byron defies logic as it equally attracts hippies, backpackers, wealthy middle age Europeans and the IT crowds of Melbourne and Sydney in particular.
At 780kms from Sydney it is a rite of passage for most 20 something uni students to do the north coast 10 hour road trip from Sydney to Byron for a summer holiday. Byron is in fact very close to the southern tip of the Gold Coast, just 66kms from Coolangatta.
To orientate yourself think of Byron Bay in four areas. First is the town centre where it all pretty much happens; the three big pubs, the main beach, supermarkets, shopping and restaurants. The second area is Wategos, a very sedate small cove below the lighthouse. The third district is Tallows Beach on the southern side of the headland is more the up market family rental area. The final precinct is on the northern side Belongil Beach, an extension of Main Beach and is more affordable family apartments, schoolies accommodation and backpackers.

Where to Stay
There is every conceivable kind of accommodation in Byron, the only question is which style and where about. 
The Arts Factory is legendary amongst backpackers, but it is not the cleanest of experiences. 
In more recent times there have been a number of resorts and boutique hotels built. The Byron at Byron owned by retailing legend Gerry Harvey was a significant green development resort just outside town centre.
Rae's at Watego's is an institution amongst the well heeled Sydney set and dinner at the restaurant on the patio overlooking the pretty Watego's Beach is a fine way to enjoy summer al fresco dining. Just opposite Rae's is Vicotria's another option at Wategos. 
There are loads of apartments to choose from on the northern side of town. The house rentals around Tallows are great too. 
But out of town can be just the trick and with a large group you can often rent an amazing executive home (code for posh and amazing). Try Unique Estates in Byron Bay for some of these amazing rentals that are inexpensive when there is a larger group. 

What to Do
The Byron Bay effect is you wonder what all the fuss is about for the first two days and then by the third one you want to move. The experience is truly idyllic with cafes, beach, pubs galore. There is so much to do but most never do anything as they are seduced by the relaxing chilled out town. It’s a beach holiday to sit back and relax. That’s why the three major pubs in town require explanation. 
Top Pub is the Beach Hotel and famous for being once owned by Paul Hogan’s sidekick 'Strop', John Cornell. This is where the tourists down beers and watch the main beach and is great for sun set drinks. The middle pub, the Great Northern is rougher and where most bands on tour will stop off for a few nights. Late at night it is full and because of its live music. The bottom pub, the Rails is an old Pullman car and is often referred to as the local pub.  It’s not flash but mush less pretentious than the Beach Hotel. But it will be where the ferals and hippies drink.
The bar at Dish is well worth a more up market wine bar drink but the food and drinks are not for those on a budget. 
Other than eating and drinking a trip into the hinterland is well worth it and most 20 something’s will want to trek into Nimbin to score pot and gaze in admiration at the Big Joint. Learning to surf, scuba diving at Julian Rocks, walking up to the lighthouse are the activities of most visitors outside relaxing on the beach.

When to Travel
Almost any time of year is well worth a trip to Bryon. Byron is becoming increasingly attractive to schoolies in November but they are far less obnoxious and destructive to relaxing holidays than they are on the Gold Coast.

Transport
There are in fact two airports close by. Coolangatta Airport which services the Gold Coast as well has all the major airlines and competition leads to fairly priced fares. There are transfers available from Gold Coast, the cheapest way is get on one of the transfer buses from about $40 per person per way. The alternative is Ballina Airport just 33kms from Byron Bay. Rex, Virgin Blue and Jetstar all fly to Ballina and transfers on the bus are far cheaper at about $15 per person per way.