The paper presents preliminary findings of a doctoral study exploring the lived experiences of young people growing up in a popular Australian tourist destination, Byron Bay. Based on extensive ethnographic fieldwork in the area, we argue that the various migratory trends and ‘cultures of visiting’ have produced a layered and eclectic cultural scenario conducive to particular forms of entertainment among young people. Neo-tribal and socio-cultural theories are employed to explore the nature of youth affiliations in the area. In particular, the paper discusses how young people express their identity and exercise their agency by choosing a non-conformist leisure activity – rave or ‘doof’ parties. Findings suggest that doof neo-tribes function as important landscapes of a shared identity in the face of ever-changing transnational flows of tourists and temporary migrants. Young residents thus seek ‘local-only’ spaces in their community by attending doof parties held in remote and secluded places away from the crowds of tourists and the mainstream tourism club culture. The paper concludes by suggesting that affiliation with doof neo-tribes may hold important and unrecognised political meaning.