While hanging out in Byron Bay we were lucky enough to get a few tips from a mate of the Bonds family and local Byron resident Jules, who’s connection to the area spans back to a teeny tiny kid. We thought it only fair to share with you. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Jules and his kelpie best mate at Belongil - photo credit (header also) Peter Abbott: www./filmrulz.tumblr.com / www.instagram.com/filmrulz[/caption] Byron Bay has been a popular holiday destination with Australian and international travellers for a very long time. It has changed a lot over the years but we reckon it’s the hippy charm and the glorious surroundings of rainforest and beach that keeps ‘em coming back for more. First thing’s first, when you get to Byron it’s important to feel like you belong, so a visit to The Rainbow Shop is priority.  Perfect for gifts and to add a very important splash of colour to your get up. You can’t miss it, located on the main drag at 71 Johnson Street. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The Rainbow Shop on the main drag is a fun and colourful local attraction.[/caption] And while we are on the topic of clothes it’s pretty much a holiday tradition (if it’s not, what a great time to start) to get your own customised tees made.  And these local dudes have been doing it pretty well for a while: Dr Moose also on the main drag at 48 Johnson Street. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Check out the 23 hour (actually open for 24 hours) bakery - great for a seriously tasty late night pie and right beside Dr Moose. :)[/caption] So we’ve hit the shops and now it’s time for a bit of substance. And while at the beach you can’t pass up an ice cream. There are a few places you can pick up a cone but Jules recommends In The Pink. It’s Byron’s first gelato bar and has been running for 22 years. The ice creams and gelato are made on the premises in all your fave flavours, plus some local goodies not found anywhere else like finger line, Davidson plum and macadamia (it's at 20 Johnson Street). And just a hop skip and a jump down the same street is the best 23 (actually 24) hour bakery. Perfect for a seriously tasty late night pie - trust us (pictured above). [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] In The Pink ice cream bar with all its yummy flavours (the only problem is what to choose)[/caption] Another place to recharge is the new and uber cool café The Road House. This is a touch out of town, but has a great vibe with a mix of locals and holiday goers. Shoes are optional and dogs are welcome. Yummy food, good coffee, trendy dudes, dudettes and dogs – what’s not to love.  [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Local hang out - The Road House[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] We couldn't resist these pugs at The Road House[/caption] Ok now’s it time to walk off all the over indulging. It is absolutely compulsory to see the lighthouse (up close) while in Byron and experience Australia’s most Easterly point. Lucky for you there are a few options for how to get there: 1. The prettiest and most popular is to take the track from Wategos Beach. It might be a bit tough to find a park but once you do and walk up that track (make sure you keep an eye out for turtles and dolphins) it will be well worth it. It’s about a 15-25 minute walk, depending on whether you like to cane it up or to take a leisurely stroll. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Lush view of Little Wategos Beach and Julian's rocks on the lighthouse walk[/caption] 2. If you are really into bush walking and wanna go for it, why not try this option: There's a walking track right round Cape Byron, so you don't need to take your car from town.  Walk along Lawson Street towards the lighthouse until it becomes Lighthouse Road.  Opposite the Captain Cook carpark and lookout there's a laneway called Lee Lane.  Take this road, and enter the bush along a walking track.  Follow the track through the littoral rainforest, and you will emerge at the hang-gliders' launching platform and then can continue up to the lighthouse. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] View of Tallows beach on the lighthouse walk. Look out for whales, dolphins, turtles and the hang gliders[/caption] Spectacular views are to be had in all directions from the headland. You can walk back the same way or head down the path towards Wategos beach. There is also more track which you can follow up and over the headland to the Pass beach, back up to the road and into town (it’s very easy to follow). Also no trip to the Pass beach or visit to the lighthouse would be complete without a coffee or bite to eat at The Pass Café afterwards. Thanks to fierce campaigning by the community, this much-loved eatery has reopened after a two-year closure. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The Pass Café - you can't go past the milkshakes and smoothies[/caption]

3. And for those that don’t want to walk it, you can drive up too. Follow Lawson Street onto Lighthouse Road and follow the signs (and guess what you can get an In the Pink ice cream at the top too).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] You can drive up to the light house too, you can get pretty close for free but there is a fee to park at the top[/caption] And the coolest thing is during the season, May to October, Cape Byron is one of the best on-land vantage points for watching the annual migration of the humpback whale. There is heaps to see and do in Byron, but we hope this locals guide has given you that bit extra. Now it’s time for you to go and see and discover for yourself. And feel free to ask us any questions in the comments section below (we’re pretty much experts now). And a special thanks to photographer Peter Abbott for many of the awesome photos in this blog and others.