Planning your trip to Byron Bay, Australia

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Jordan Lee sits at the base of a dry waterfall in Nightcap National Park, near Byron Bay. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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A sign warning travelers of kangaroo crossings along a back road near Byron Bay. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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Swimmers get some sun on the grass above Main Beach in Byron Bay. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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Beach-ready customers stroll through the Byron shopping area on Jonson Street, Byron Bay’s main drag. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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A variety of savory meat pies displayed at the casual takeout counter of Byron Hot Bread Kitchen. Eating a meat pie or two is a must in Australia. These savory offerings are about the size of a bread plate and consist of a crisp, golden crust stuffed with all manner of fillings, including rich lamb and mint, spicy curry chicken, tender steak and cheese and more. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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The Fresh Deli Board with prosciutto, sopressa, hummus, feta cheese, olives, eggplant and roasted red peppers is served at Byron Fresh Cafe. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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A room at the Byron Beach Resort, a laid-back hotel across the street from Byron Bay’s beach. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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A double room at the Byron Beachcomber Resort, which has a swimming pool, community grilling area and private path to the beach. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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A Thai beef salad served at the Nightcap Brasserie, inside the Channon Butterfactory Tavern in the Channon, a village in New South Wales. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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The hippie town of Nimbin, in New South Wales, offers all things hemp- and cannabis-related. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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Clouds break as the sun sets during a summer rainstorm near the town of Lismore, in New South Wales. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

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A sign in front of Lismore Presbyterian Church offers spiritual advice to passersby. (Jessica Gelt / Los Angeles Times)

May 26, 2013 12 AM PT

THE BEST WAY TO BYRON BAY, AUSTRALIAFrom LAX, connecting service (change of plane) to Gold Coast, about 60 minutes north of Byron Bay, is offered on Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand and Delta. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $910, including taxes and fees. Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Budget, Europcar and Redspot all have kiosks opposite the airport’s arrival area. Car rentals with unlimited miles are about $40 per day. An Electronic Travel Authority visa is mandatory for American visitors. The easiest way to apply is at https://www.immi.gov/au/visawizard. The cost is about $20

TELEPHONES

To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 61 (country code for Australia), 2 (the regional code) and the local number.

WHERE TO STAY

Byron Beach Resort, 25 Childe St., Byron Bay; 6685-7868, https://www.byronbeachresort.com.au. A lovely, affordable option across the street from the beach. Each spacious room has a distinctly bohemian vibe. Choose an eight-bed dorm room or opt for a private room with an ocean view and a balcony. Doubles from $69.

Byron Beachcomber Resort, 23-25 Shirley St., Byron Bay; 6639-6900, https://www.beachcomberbyron.com.au. Located off the main drag with a private walkway to the beach, this clean and modern hotel has a refreshing pool and a common area for grilling. Doubles from $114.

Byron Bay Arts Factory Backpackers Lodge, 1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay; 6685-7709, https://www.nomadsworld.com/arts-factory. Perhaps no accommodation best represents the whimsical nature of Byron Bay like this funky hostel on five acres of lush wilderness. With a pool, porches and hammocks for lounging, the Arts Factory offers camping, tepees, shared dorms and private rooms. Doubles from $59, dorms from $27.

WHERE TO EAT

The Top Shop, 65 Carlyle St., Byron Bay; 6685-6495, https://www.thetopshop.wordpress.com. The Top Shop is a casual, take-out place for breakfast and coffee. Get a delicious flat white, a free-range burger or a variety of fresh-baked muffins and pastries and nosh outside on the lawn. Most items $8-$12.

Belongil Bistro, 33 Childe St., Byron Bay; 6680-9007, https://www.belongilbistro.com.au. The ideal brunch, lunch or weekend dinner spot if you’re staying next door at Byron Beach Resort, but it’s also worth the trip from elsewhere in town. The locally sourced, veggie-heavy menu includes pan-fried house gnocchi with roasted beet root and Ezekiel bread and poached eggs with spinach, sprouts and relish. Entrees $10-$27.

Fish Heads, 1 Jonson St. at Main Beach, Byron Bay; 6680-7632, https://www.restaurantbyronbay.com.au. Delicious, fresh seafood and salads served on a breezy patio across from the main beach—so close to the ocean that you can taste the sea salt in the air. Entrees $15-$34.

TO LEARN MORE

Byron Bay Visitor Centre, https://www.visitbyronbay.com

Planning your trip to Byron Bay, Australia

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