Ask someone where the best weekender is right now, and you’ll likely be told Byron Bay. The beachside suburb, once known for its hippie community, is experiencing a mass migration of Australian’s looking to get away from the big smoke without actually having to leave the country. Strapped into our new Lexus RXL, we hit the highway ready to discover just how much of Byron you can fit into a weekend.

Stay: Elements of Byron Set amongst 20 acres of lush surrounds, the resort features 99 recently-added villas, an impressive 850k litre lagoon (need we say more) and an adults-only swimming pool. The village-like resort offers direct access to Byron’s Belongil Beach and over 2km of walking tracks, giving you plenty of space to enjoy some screen-free time. Afternoons are best spent either at the resort’s beach club or the adults-only pool. Spend the afternoon lazing under a private cabana, making full use of the swim-up bar, or indulge your hedonistic nature with a luxe spa treatment at the resort’s Osprey Spa.

Stay: Elements of Byron Rooms feature luxe outdoor bathhouses, spacious living rooms and ample parking, making short trips to Byron’s city centre and back a breeze. Kick off breakfast at the resort’s produce-focused Graze Restaurant overlooking the lagoon pool. As expected, there’s plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options (this is Byron, after all) as well as the usual staples. Lunch takes on a day-club vibe with cocktails and poolside service available at the lagoon pool, while dinner is a relaxed affair featuring a five-course tasting menu of seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers. Elements of Byron, Byron Bay, elementsofbyron.com.au

Exploring Byron No trip to Byron is complete without a visit to Wategos Beach, especially at sunrise. The 15-minute drive from Elements of Byron takes you through the city centre and along the scenic Lighthouse Road drive. Weave around the stunning rainforest stopping along the way at The Pass for views of the bay, before reaching Wategos Beach. Walk along the beach’s golden shores and join the early morning runners on the Cape Byron Walking Track which offers the best way to explore the area, eventually leading to the most easterly point of mainland Australia – the Cape Byron lighthouse.

Byron’s Best Eats Make the trip for beachside views at Beach Byron Bay but stay for David Lovett’s magic in the kitchen. Building on his time at Uccello, Lovett serves up stunningly simple yet elegant dishes with some of the best views in town. For those looking to get the full Byron experience, take the five-minute drive to Darren Robertson’s Three Blue Ducks at The Farm, and spend a morning exploring the cafe, restaurant, florist, grocer and functional farm – complete with a child-entertaining service. Beach Byron Bay, Byron Bay, beachbyronbay.com.au Three Blue Ducks at The Farm, Ewingsdale, threeblueducks.com/byron

Byron’s Best Coffee Get your daily fix at Folk, Byron’s original organic, plant-based cafe on the outskirts of the city centre. Due to its popularity, there are often long wait times, so leave your name and soak up the prime people watching opportunity. Those looking to get their daily cup in-town need look no further than Bayleaf Cafe. Again, expect long wait times at this popular favourite visited by locals and tourists alike waiting for their green breakfast bowls. Folk, Byron Bay, folkbyronbay.com Bayleaf Cafe, Byron Bay, facebook.com/bayleafcoffee

Byron Surrounds You’ll have to hit the road to reach one of Byron’s best restaurants. Located in the nearby town of Newrybar, Harvest is a short 20-minute drive along the Hinterland way, offering a chance to explore the idyllic countryside of the Byron area. Housed in an old historic Newrybar cottage, the restaurant’s latest evolution has seen the addition of an extending outdoor dining space overlooking the vegetable garden. Making the most of local seafood (think Ballina prawns), vegetables and native ingredients, the restaurant pushes the envelope on countryside fine-dining, with aplomb. Make it an afternoon affair and explore the local township before driving back to Bryon at sunset. Harvest, Newrybar, harvestnewrybar.com.au

The Ride: With its sleek interiors and ability to seat up to seven passengers, the Lexus RXL offers a true functionality with a luxurious ride. There’s plenty of leg room for cruising the motorway, ample storage space for all the essentials and the car’s super-quiet petrol and hybrid motor means you’re covered no matter if you’re driving around town or needing that extra power on the road. For more, see lexus.com.au. Other essential Byron visits: Fleet, Brunswick Heads, fleet-restaurant.com.au Newrybar Merchants, Newrybar, newrybarmerchants.com Cyrstal Castle, Montecollum, crystalcastle.com.au Barrio Eatery and Bar, Byron Bay, barriocellar.com.au For more on Byron Bay, see here.