Things to do in Byron Bay

A hand-painted sign welcomes you to one of the country’s most famous beachside destinations: “Welcome to Byron Bay. Cheer up, slow down, chill out.” Located in northern NSW, 800km north of Sydney and 175km south of Brisbane, Byron has been a popular tourist destination since the 1960s, when hippies and surfers established the town’s now famous bohemian community.

Luxury hotels and fine dining restaurants have joined the fray, capturing Byron’s essence with their emphasis on creativity and sustainability. With a range of natural and cultural attractions to suit all travellers, it’s easy to see what all the fuss is about.

Read more: Sydney to Brisbane Roadtrip

Where to eat

There’s no shortage of good food to be found in Byron Bay – whether it’s kombucha and free range eggs at Bayleaf Cafe, burgers and milkshakes at Top Shop (join the locals and eat on the grass) or tacos and tequila at Miss Margarita. But some of the best food is found before you even arrive at the town centre.

Your first stop should be The Farm Byron Bay, home to Three Blue Ducks restaurant and produce store. Dine in for a lunch of pork rack, beetroot and stone fruit sauce (there’s a “Ducklings” menu for the kids), pick up picnic supplies and head for the fields or, at the weekend, head out to the BBQ area for an Argentinian-style spit roast. Children will love the many farm based activities on offer, too (check the website for school holiday workshops).

No trip for those looking for the quintessential Byron Bay experience is complete without an evening at the Treehouse at Belongil Beach. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, its eclectic, rustic vibes go perfectly with the bounty bowls and crusty pizzas on the menu. Check out their What’s On for live tunes.  

No Bones and Orgasmic Falafel are de rigueur for a meat-free feed, and Hotel Marvell’s rooftop bar is also worth a visit: though set back from the beach, it’s the perfect place to savour the chilled vibes and see the sunset colours. 

The new kid on the block is Restaurant Dorsia, which under the watchful eye of private chef Martyn Ridings offers guests the opportunity to sit at the chef’s bench to see their food being prepared.  

To taste the lauded local seafood, book a window table at the relaxed but refined Beach Byron Bay, or splurge on a fine dining experience at the recently renovated Raes on Wategos.

What to do

The 3.7km Cape Byron Walking Track is one of the best ways to appreciate the area’s natural beauty. The loop can be joined from numerous places, but make sure you don’t miss Wategos Beach. From there, it’s a steep climb (or a short car trip) up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, where the panoramic view is likely to reveal a frolicking pod of dolphins or a migrating whale. For a longer walk, start at Clarkes Beach and do the full Cape Byron loop through coastal scrub high above Tallow Beach.

Rather see the resident wildlife up close? Vision Walk Eco Tours can get you up close and personal with the local fauna. Join a Dolphin Kayak Tour with Go Sea Kayaks, owned and operated by local champion surf lifesaver Kurt Tutt. Or, get in amongst it with Wild Byron Sea Safaris out at Julian Rocks where you can dive with turtles, rays and wobbegongs.

Keen to just chill out and soak up the atmosphere? Drop a line at Tallow Beach in search of bluefin tuna, whiting or bream, head to Belongil for stunning bay views and kid-friendly waves, or simply lie back and watch the passing parade at Main Beach (or hit the waves with the local surfers in sight of the famous lighthouse!)

Where to explore

Visiting a market or four to get ahead on the Christmas shopping is a must do – but where to start? Byron Bay has its own monthly markets on the first Sunday of the month, as well as Twilight Markets on Saturday evenings by the Rails Hotel, and Beachside Markets in school holidays. 

There are so many other amazing destinations close to Byron that a regional day trip is a must do. A 20 minute drive north is the hinterland town of Mullumbimby. Visit on a Friday and join the locals at the Farmers’ Market, or time your trip for the third Saturday of the month to catch the Mullum Markets – both feature live entertainment a range of locally made products.

Federal is a tiny village 30 minutes’ drive west of Byron and is a lovely place for a wander. Locals make the trip to dine at Japanese inspired Doma Cafe – you won’t regret ordering the tempura.

Stop in at Newrybar Merchants after lunch to browse artisan gifts and homewares. Or, if you have kids in tow, detour to the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary - it's an animal park, mini golf course, playground, cafe and is also home to the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.

If it’s scenic exercise you’re after, Beyond Byron E-Bikes can sort you out for a chilled ride on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which runs along the now disused train tracks from Casino to Murwillumbah.

Further afield – about an hour’s drive west – is Nimbin, often cited as Australia’s alternative lifestyle capital. The main street is full of quirky cafes, and shops selling candles and hemp products, but there’s plenty for nature lovers, too. Admire the volcanic Nimbin Rocks, or wander the World Heritage-listed rainforest of Nightcap National Park.

Where to stay

If you want to be at the centre of the action, The Atlantic Byron Bay invites you to join them and “live like a local”. The stylish property consists of four restored houses with central, shared kitchens and ensuite rooms tastefully decorated with travel souvenirs. There’s a pool, photogenic palm shaded grounds and free bikes to explore town.

Elements of Byron offers something for couples and families, with villas just a stone’s throw from Belongil Beach. It features an adults-only pool area and on-site Azure Bar and Grill, and also has North Byron Hotel just a short walk down the road. 

If you’d rather wake up to the sound of native birds, book one of the nine budget-friendly self-contained cottages at Byron Bay Rainforest Resort. Three kilometres south of town, the simple one and two bedroom cottages are set in 16ha of coastal rainforest and within walking distance of Tallows Beach. The resort is pet friendly, wheelchair accessible and features a pool and communal games room.

Or there’s Crystalbrook Byron Bay which offers an immersive experience set amongst the subtropical forest, complete with restaurant, day spa and pool. Want to get away from the crowds? Book into Koonyum Range Retreat for a luxurious treat and take in the vistas from the infinity pool up in the hinterland. 

Frequently asked questions 

What is the best time of year to visit Byron Bay? 

Byron Bay is one of those rare places that you can visit any time of year! Relish the sunny vibes during the summer school holidays, or escape the drudgery of the cold in July to get some winter warmth. Just remember, it can get busy during holiday breaks but is just as welcoming in the shoulder seasons.  

How many days in Byron Bay is enough? 

Whether you have just a few days or a couple of weeks, Byron Bay has plenty of options for all types of holidays. A weekend is enough to sample the best Byron has to offer, while longer stays allow visitors to see more out of the way places. Book a camping site or go high-end and stay at a resort – whatever fits your budget.  

Is Byron Bay worth a day trip? 

Yes, Byron Bay is worth a day trip, even if just to say you've been to the most easterly point in Australia. Go for a dip at the iconic Belongil Beach, lunch at the Beachie (the Beach Hotel) and walk it off up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse.  

Do I need a car in Byron Bay? 

Yes, it’s a good idea to hire a car for your stay in Byron Bay. Many resorts offer bicycles for guests and the town is very easy to walk or cycle around, but to experience all that Byron has to offer, you’ll find it easier getting around with your own wheels. 

NRMA Rewards members can also save 15% on daily car hire rental rates SIXT Coolangatta.