Byron Bay (pop. 10,538) is an Australian town located on the north coast of New South Wales. The town is situated less than 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Cape Byron, the easternmost point of Australia. Byron Bay is a popular tourist destination, hosting over 1 million visitors each year.
Byron Bay covers about 15 square miles (40 square kilometers) of land. It has a temperate subtropical climate.
Byron Bay has many natural attractions. The Pass is a famed surfing spot. The Julian Rocks, part of Cape Byron Marine Park, are a popular site for scuba diving, snorkeling, and whale watching. Other landmarks include the dormant volcano Wollumbin (formerly Mount Warning) and Belongil Beach. One of Byron Bay’s most famous historical sites is the Cape Byron Lighthouse, which looks out over the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse was completed in 1901. However, its construction destroyed an Aboriginal ceremonial site. 
Byron Bay is the traditional land of the Arakwal people, who are part of the Bundjalung Aboriginal peoples of New South Wales. The Arakwal people called the land around the bay Cavanbah, which is the group’s term for meeting place. European settlers began moving to the area in the 1830’s. In 1894, the settlement was renamed Byron Bay after the nearby Cape Byron. In 1770, the British explorer Captain James Cook named Cape Byron after the British sailor Vice-Admiral John Byron. In 2001, the New South Wales government signed a historic land use agreement with the Arakwal people, acknowledging their claim to the land.
Byron Bay is nationally known as a cultural center. In 1973, the nearby town of Nimbin hosted the Aquarius Festival, which attracted many believers in astrology. Astrology is based on the belief that the stars and planets in the sky influence events on Earth through their mathematical relationships to one another and to Earth. The Aquarius Festival cemented the region’s reputation for welcoming people interested in spiritualism and healthy lifestyles. Byron Bay hosts creative gatherings throughout the year, including the Byron Writers Festival and the Byron Bluesfest music festival. Many Australian celebrities have lived in Byron Bay, including the entertainers Olivia Newton-John, Chris Hemsworth, and Paul Hogan.
