Hidden away on the east coast of New South Wales, Australia is a little hippie town called Byron Bay. A place where hatred, resentment, tension, and anger is non-existent. Similar to Woodstock in America, this little town promotes peace and unity and emanates nothing but positive energy. This town is filled with free-spirits who inspire and share their wisdom with others.

When I was there, this was a place with no rules. Everywhere we went, people were barefoot or in their bathing suits. There was freedom and leeway to be as you want to be. Individuals were able to embrace anything that they wished to. There are no judgments towards anything or anyone, which was a very liberating thing to witness after coming from a judgmental hometown back in the United States.

With every conversation that I engaged in, I found myself in awe at the experiences that the locals had witnessed. I felt as if I wanted to keep meeting new locals in order to get their positive, peaceful approach to all aspects of life. The individuals of this town were artistic and creative. Everywhere I went, there were local jewelry makers, painters, or musicians who designed and created everything on their own. This is a place you must go to if you are searching for inspiration, positivity, and serenity.

Here are 5 reasons the little hippie town of Byron Bay will leave you inspired and renewed:

1. The Local Musicians and Performances

On a casual night out in Byron, you’ll find local bands performing on the side of the road, in parking lots, or on the beach. The performers of the local bands are very talented, undiscovered, and incredibly humble. By listening to their lyrics, I felt inspired and was often offered an entirely new perspective on things. One performer was singing one of his original songs about how he wouldn't succumb to the demands of society. Rather, he would live his life the way that he wished to by creating his own path and his own rules.

2. The Healthy, Fresh Food

The local cafes and restaurants in Byron all had fresh, creative dishes. Each meal was made with locally grown produce and promoted a sustainable way of life. Particularly, Folk Cafe in Byron Bay was plant-based and embraced their mission of providing ethical, organic meals to their customers.

3. Hidden Beaches

After a treacherous, short drive up a cliffy road my friend’s and I arrived at Whites Beach, hidden amongst the mountains and cliffs. The scary drive was definitely worth it in the end, and this beach was truly breathtaking. As you swam in the clear, blue waters, surrounded by caves, you felt as if you were dreaming.

4. Waterfalls

Just a short drive out of Byron Bay was Minyon Falls. These waterfalls were truly breathtaking and The lookout that my friend’s and I went to allowed us to see the waterfall from above and it was incredible. We sat there and listened to the sounds taking in the surroundings.

5. Local Markets

The local markets in Byron Bay are a chance for all the locals and tourists to come together and share each others cultures and talents. As I arrived at the markets, there were local bands performing while the locals and tourists gathered around them. All of the people were mingling as they are food from local food truck vendors and listened to the sounds and lyrics about the ocean. Also, all of the vendors at the market were from local stores and most of the products being sold were unique and handmade. This was inspiring because all of the vendors would guide you through the exact steps that they took in order to create each product. Also, most of the vendors promoted a sustainable way of life and created their products ethically.

Overall, don’t let the distance keep you from experiencing all that this little hippie town has to offer. After one weekend here, you’ll feel rejuvenated and inspired. All of your worries will disappear and you’ll feel positive.