EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

The weekly free community newspaper, The Byron Shire Echo , has a comprehensive gig guide. There's plenty of activity in summer: New Year's Eve is such a big event that the council has taken to closing the town off - so come early. The huge outdoor Annual Byron Bay Arts and Music Festival is normally held for three days in early January but may be moving to February; it takes over Belongil Fields with several stages, a rave field, an all-night cinema, a food fair, market stalls and workshops; to find out exact dates, call the tourist information centre (tel 02/6685 5980). Tickets can be bought in advance from independent record outlets around Australia.

Beach Hotel , cnr Jonson and Bay streets (tel 02/6685 6402). Owned by John Cornell, who played Paul Hogan's sidekick in a 1970s Australian comedy series, this big and smart pub is superbly sited right opposite Main Beach with a huge terrace beer garden, bistro and restaurant, and attracts a cross-section of locals. Live music (often free), including jazz sessions on Sunday afternoon.

The Car Park , The Plaza, Jonson St (tel 02/6685 6170). Late-night dance club which also hosts laser shows and comedy. Open until 3am.

Chincogan Tavern , Burringbar St, Mullumbimby (tel 02/6684 1550). Bands on Friday night.

Great Northern Hotel , Jonson St (tel 02/6685 6454). Something for everyone: a front room with pool tables, a typically blokish public bar and The Backroom , a large stylish space that doubles as an Italian restaurant and a music venue with big-name Australian bands playing three or four times a week. Open till 1am nightly.

La La Land , Lawson St. If the hair wraps and tie-dye brigade are making you ill, then try this Byron Bay branch of a Melbourne institution; a place for sipping cocktails and wearing black. Sushi, dips and pizza available for "grazing". Daily 7pm-1am.

Pighouse Flicks , Old Piggery, Skinners Shoot Rd (tel 02/6685 5828). "The Byron Cinema Experience" shows a hand-picked bill of latest-release films with the emphasis on the quirky and the first-rate, with two to three films nightly and deck chairs or sofas for seating. The price is $10.50 per film with a discount if you eat first at their great vegetarian restaurant.