The Byron Shire, covering an area of 566 square kilometres, is located at Australia's easternmost point, 180km south of Brisbane, 800km north of Sydney, on the northern stretch of coastline of the state of New South Wales.

There are a number of towns and villages in the shire, which in 2004 had an official population of just over 30,000, with nearly one third living in rural areas. The region has a healthy annual economic growth rate of 2%. Thriving home-based businesses focus on alternative, cultural and knowledge industries, with a growing population of artists, writers and filmmakers. All around Byron Bay are picturesque towns, villages and hamlets with galleries, shops and weekend markets offering local arts and crafts, much of which is of a well-renowned high standard.

The hinterland of the Byron Bay township is a rich patchwork of sugar cane, tropical fruit and macadamia farms. The area thrives not only on agricultural prodution but on its tourism, as it is famed for its beaches and its rural beauty. An estimated 1.7 million tourists visit each year. In the region are many national parks, state forests, national parks and world heritage-listed rainforests.

The traditional people of the region are the Bundjalung. At the iconic Byron Bay Lighthouse there is an Aboriginal information room and a ‘Dolphin Dreaming’ tour.

A highlight of the Byron calendar is the Annual East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, known as the BluesFest.