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With powder-white sand that stretches for kilometres and clean, clear waters lapping its shores, the beaches of far northern New South Wales are some of the best in the world. Hang 10 For die-hard surfers the best breaks can be found at The Pass in Byron Bay and The Point at Lennox Head. Both attract considerable crowds, though, with The Pass a magnet for longboard riders and The Point legendary for its long, peeling right-hand break. For the surfer's stamp of approval head the kombi south and catch a wave at Angourie Beach. Located on the outskirts of Yamba, this is Australia's queen of the waves, Layne Beachley's, favourite surfing spot. The waves do tend to be a little fickle, but when they're running, Angourie is surfing nirvana. Bring the kids Families will love Byron Bay's picture-perfect Wategos Beach, just below the town's iconic lighthouse, which is one of the few northerly facing beaches on the east coast. There are free electric barbecu...

Visas None required. Electricity Standard voltage is 240V (50Hz). Power outlets only accept flat three- or two-pin plugs with angled pins. Although most hotels provide 110V AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors. Time zone The North Coast of NSW is on Australian Eastern Standard Time (UCT/GMT +10 hours). NSW adopts Daylight-saving Time during the summer months. Clocks are advanced one hour on the first Sunday in October and go back one hour in March. Currency Australian dollar. Cultural/social conventions In a region as relaxed and chilled out as the North Coast of NSW, swimmers, thongs and sarongs are the standard attire for almost any occasion. If you really want to fit in, though, dig out your old tie-dye T-shirt. Best time to visit Boasting warm summers and mild winters, the North Coast of NSW is a great year-round destination. The best time of year to visit, though, is spring, when the temperatures are mild and it's not too crowded. Got a...

Byron Bay Food This tasty blog explores all the flavours of Byron offering up-to-date advice on the best eateries in the area. Byron-Bay-Beaches.com Started by a couple of blow-ins-come-locals with a peculiar fetish for Ben Harper, this website offers top tips on where the locals hang out in the Byron area. Bay Web Forum A community noticeboard for Byron Bay attracting posts by both long-time locals and curious visitors. Rusty's Byron Guide Compiled by former USA surfing champion and California native, Rusty Miller, this free online guide, which was first published in 1984, is chock-a-block with great local information. The Echo The online portal for the local, free community newspaper. Good classified section, especially if you're looking for somewhere to stay. The Village Journal The online newspaper for the hinterland that lists local events and happenings. In Byron Today A great website for grommets, surfies and wannabe waxheads offering a daily...

If you've just got a day at the coast, follow this Byron itinerary to make the absolute most of it. Morning glory Kick start your day at with a brisk walk (or run) to the Cape Byron Headland Reserve. This 92-hectare reserve straddles the most easterly point in Australia and is home to one of the country's most iconic lighthouses. The 5km walk from Wategos Beach up to the lighthouse and back is a "must do" at any time of the day, but even more so at sunrise. You can turn it into an hour's workout, finishing at The Pass, where you can strip off your exercise gear and go bodysurfing in crystal-clear waters to cool those aching muscles. Breakfast beckons After your work-out, head straight back into town for a well-deserved big breakfast at the Bayleaf Café (phone (02) 6685 8900). Just off Byron's busy main drag in Marvel Street, the Bayleaf buzzes from dawn with hordes of local caffeine connoisseurs lingering over large cups of Byron's best coffee w...

Travel writer and guidebook author Kim Wildman has been haunting the North Coast of New South Wales for more than 30 years now. From her first long trek down the Pacific Highway with the family in the old station wagon to Byron when she was eight years old, she was hooked for life. Having spent the better part of the last 10 years continent hopping for the likes of Lonely Planet and Bradt Travel Guides, after returning home in 2006 to rediscover her roots, Kim finally decided it was time to turn her holiday hideaway into her permanent base. She has since contributed regularly to ninemsn and updated the latest Australia Eyewitness Travel guide. Her feature articles have appeared in Travel Africa, abouTime, Stamford Life, Australian Women's Health, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Melbourne Age, MSN New Zealand and Voyageur. When she's not scouring the earth for her adventure, you'll find her hanging out with her family and friends in the hills near Bangalow. What's ...

The city on a Friday and Saturday night Yikes! If you want to disappear into a sea of suits or be swept away by suburban kids who've escaped from Mum and Dad for the night — and have imbibed in all that goes with that — then feel free to head into the heart of the city on a Friday or Saturday night. If you can't avoid it, try the mismatched retro furniture of Grasshopper on the ironically-named Temperance Lane, where drinks come in olive jars, because, well, why not?. You know, it’s probably easier just to head to Surry Hills or Darlinghurst, whether you're looking for dinner, a low-key pub or a bit of a glamorous night out.. Darling Harbour It's an absolute monstrosity that was built for tourists, which just about tells you all you need to know. The restaurants are expensive and the shops not at all cool. If you want to sit waterside in the city, head about 10 minutes away to Walsh Bay on Hickson Road, where there are some great little spots to eat lunch or di...