For die-hard surfers the best breaks can be found at The Pass in Byron Bay and The Point at Lennox Head. Both attract considerable crowds, though, with The Pass a magnet for longboard riders and The Point legendary for its long, peeling right-hand break. For the surfer's stamp of approval head the kombi south and catch a wave at Angourie Beach. Located on the outskirts of Yamba, this is Australia's queen of the waves, Layne Beachley's, favourite surfing spot. The waves do tend to be a little fickle, but when they're running, Angourie is surfing nirvana.

Families will love Byron Bay's picture-perfect Wategos Beach, just below the town's iconic lighthouse, which is one of the few northerly facing beaches on the east coast. There are free electric barbecues and picnic tables overlooking the beach. It's also a great spot to spy marine life with migrating whales and dolphins often passing close off shore. Evans Head, just south of Ballina, boasts a fabulous estuary river reserve which, when the tide is out, is an ideal sandy playground for toddlers. Otherwise, good swim-between-the-flags options include Byron's Main and Clarkes beaches, and Cabarita Beach at Bogangar.

The northern coast of New South Wales provides loads of opportunities for anyone keen to catch and cook their own supper. Located next to Wategos Beach, Little Wategos Beach is one of the region's best rock fishing spots. The tiny stretch of beach, which often almost disappears, is inaccessible by car and reached via a walking track from Wategos or the lighthouse. For the best beach fishing head to Wooyung Beach near Brunswick Heads. Black Rock, near Pottsville, is also pretty popular.

To escape the crowds on Byron's busy Main Beach, join the locals at Tallow Beach. This magnificent 7km strip of sand on the southern side of the headland stretches all the way to Broken Head Reserve. Otherwise, take a drive north along the Pacific Highway past the eyesore that is Ocean Shores, to Hastings Point, Cabarita, and Kingscliff beaches which are all much quieter — especially week days when the weekend wanderers haven't blown in.

If you'd rather let everything hang out than hang 10, the north coast has a number of great clothing-optional beaches. The best and most secluded is Tyagarah Beach. It's located just west of Belongil Creek and can be accessed via Grays Lane at Tyagarah. The northern area of Belongil, just before you reach Belongil Creek, is also an unofficial clothing-optional beach where you'll often find a naturalist or two lurking between the dunes. South of Byron set amongst the rocky headlands of Broken Head is a string of nudist beaches including Kings, Brays and Whites beaches.