Book excerpt: Discover a land of roaring surf, towering rainforests and day after day of sunshine with The Rough Guide to East Coast Australia . Be inspired by the cosmopolitan cities, the countless wine regions, gorgeous Byron Bay,\ the Great Barrier Reef and all the fascinating, less-travelled places in between. With full-colour sections of Taking the Plunge, diving and surfing on the east coast and Ecotourism, the guide takes you way off the beaten track to discover the real Australia . Covering every region, from remote and unspoilt beaches where kangaroos hop along the shore, to alternative country towns with a character all their own, the guide also highlights unforgettable side-trips to the Torres Strait Islands and Uluru. Places to stay - the funkiest hostels, the glitziest resorts, the leafiest rainforest lodges - are covered in detail and with our hand-picked restaurant and nightlife recommendations you'll always know where to find the action. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to East Coast Australia.