Byron Bay, a magical Aussie beach town, where you automatically feel at ease hearing its name. There is a special aura in the place that makes you pause and reminds you to take a deep breath, appreciate and enjoy the beauty around you at the moment. It is a place where, with no judgement, people are free to be who they want to be.
It is a beautiful little town renowned for its surf spots and is a magnet for hippies and backpackers, where you can spend your time walking barefoot on the golden sandy beaches or anywhere in town. You are also never far away from hearing live music or watching a fantastic street performance. There is abundant creative energy and is evident as you will find the art in every form as you wander this wonderland. You can easily spend a week, a month, or live permanently as its too good to leave.
Byron Bay, also known as Cavvanbah, which translates to ‘The Meeting Place’ is about 3 hours south of Brisbane and 10 hours north of Sydney. There is a wide variety of activities when you’re looking at what to do in Byron Bay. Sharing some of our favourite experiences and recommendation of 20 cool things to do in Byron Bay.
Byron Bay Spotlights
Watch the sunrise over the horizon from Cape Byron Lighthouse
Indulge in a Champion Breakfast in one of many Café’s
Go on a whale watching tour
Take a shot at sea kayaking with dolphins
Chillout and take a dip at Killen Falls
Hike to the bottom of Minyon Falls
Experience farm life and lunch at “The Farm”
Check out all the Byron Bay Markets
Skydive over the magnificent shoreline
Catch a surf or two in one of the many beaches
Try Yoga by the ocean
Groove to the music at the drumming circle
Take a ride on the world’s first solar train
Visit the arts and industry estate
Stone and Wood Brewery Tour
Explore the ‘70s nostalgia at Rainbow Shop
Visit the Castles in Byron Bay
Snorkel with the Turtles
Rejuvenate at Tea Tree Lake
Enjoy the different shades of sunset at The Pass
How to get here and where to stay
When is the best time to visit
Have you been to Byron Bay?
Watch the sunrise over the horizon from Cape Byron Lighthouse
There is no better way to start your day than to watch a sunrise majestically over the horizon. Doing this here would give you a front-row seat to a spectacular view. It also gives you a chance to catch the sunrise before the rest of Australia does as the Lighthouse stands stoically along the coastline on the most easterly point of the mainland.
There are two ways to get here. You can walk from the bottom of the Lighthouse, it is a hilly 3.7 km but a great way to see the town and picturesque Byron Bay lookout points. If catching the sunrise is the only thing you woke up early for, then you can drive up the road that takes you directly to the lighthouse car park. Either way, try to reach 15 to 20 minutes early to witness the sky change colours just before sunrise. As the sun rises, the warm colours start to reflect across the water & this would be a perfect time to attempt and capture nature’s beauty on your smartphone or camera.
Indulge in a Champion Breakfast in one of many Café’s
Now that you have woken up early and worked up an appetite walking up to the lighthouse to have the best start to the day, it is now time for brekkie. Byron Bay streets are lined with an endless array of hipster and Instagram-worthy Cafés. You will feel spoilt for choice with so many options and flavours. One of your main worries when in Byron Bay would be where to go for your daily caffeine fix and a fab meal. We have made a list of what we think are few of the best Café’s Byron bay has to offer.
Top Shop, an old 1950’s milk bar on a grassy knoll with a relaxed vibe but is super busy and serves some of the best acai bowls, burgers and of course great coffee.
Byron Bay General Store, this iconic café is very popular with locals and visitors alike. The café embraces and showcases Byron Bay’s soul with its warm décor and hanging plants.
Folk, this quaint café needs no introduction. They have a strong focus on local, organic and plant-based menu combined with a beautiful garden setting and a lovely coastal ambience.
Dip Café, a trendy open-plan kitchen café with colourful posters and records adorning the walls is an absolute favourite among few locals. Their menu is extensive and delicious.
Bayleaf Café, this is a quintessential beach town café with a rustic & casual ambience. The menu is filled with fresh and healthy options for breakfast with great coffee.
Go on a whale watching tour
While whale watching is an activity you can do from anywhere on the east coast, Byron Bay is one of the best places to do this. The annual migration of humpback whales occurs between May and November. They are practically guaranteed to make an appearance between June and September. This would be the best time to encounter astonishing creatures in their natural habitat.
You can watch whales with a decent pair of binoculars from anywhere on the beach or a lookout, but we recommend you get up close and personal with the whales. This gets you to enjoy the experience and coastal scenery from a new perspective. You also get to listen to Humpback whales amazing whale song via a hydrophone on board the vessel.
Take a shot at sea kayaking with dolphins
Right around Australia, Dolphin watching cruises are quite common. However, kayaking at sea and getting to meet these lovely intelligent creatures so close is something special. It is an incredible way to experience marine life and beautiful views of the landscape.
Going out into the sea can be little nerve-wracking at the start, especially if you have never kayaked in such an environment before. This is where booking the sea kayak tour helps as you are prepped and calmly talked-to by your guides before setting off.
During the tour, you will have the privilege of seeing friendly yet inquisitive Bottlenose Dolphins and spot Sea Turtles along the way. You are almost guaranteed to see them as Byron Bay is a protected marine park. On your way back, you get to catch and ride a wave, how fun is that.
Chillout and take a dip at Killen Falls
Killen Falls, once a town’s well-kept secret is not so secret anymore and is on every tourist’s itinerary. It’s a perfect little adventure as you get away from the bustling streets of Byron Bay, which is about 30 minutes away in Tintenbar, within the Ballina Shire. It is easy to get there if you have your own car. The roads lead you right to the car park & it’s a further 5-minute walk to the viewing platform above the falls.
To get to the bottom of the waterfall, walk another 10-15 minutes down a rocky trail surrounded by foliage. Once you reach, you will have a feeling as if you are in your own hidden paradise. Swim in the big natural brown pool or listen to the crashing waterfall munching on your snack. It can get crowded over the holiday period & one way to beat the congestion is to get there early.
Hike to the bottom of Minyon Falls
There is another impressive waterfall an hour’s drive from Byron Bay. You will find yourself in an entirely secluded world with water thundering down from over 100 meters.
You can see the magnificent Minyon Falls & rainforest that lies at the foot of the cliffs from a Lookout point. The lookout is a short walk from the car park. If you are looking for some adventure, hike the Minyon Falls Loop and get to the bottom of the waterfalls exploring its swimming hole. The loop is 13km return track, do carry plenty of snacks and water to last you throughout the day. Don’t forget to bring your camera gear to capture some epic shots.
Experience farm life and lunch at “The Farm”
The Farm is probably the most Instagram-famous farmland in NSW and in some ways comparable to “The Grounds” in Sydney in terms of popularity. The Farm offers visitors a chance to get involved and learn about farm life. They encourage participation in open flower field session or any of their special event workshops. Check out their website for updates on forthcoming events.
They also offer a guided tour on horseback around The Farm to educate about their sustainable agricultural operation. If you are not keen on the farm life, simply wander about visiting the farm animals, check out the tractors in action or even sit and relax out in the macadamia and pecan tree orchards.
The Farm is also home to Three Blue Ducks, the restaurant onsite serving brekkie, lunch and dinner with the most nutritious and delicious menu. Most of the ingredients are sourced from their own grounds. It’s not uncommon to see chickens roam freely near you trying to eat the food crumbs fallen off your table. There is no fee to enter the grounds of The Farm & if you are not planning to eat here, there are still plenty of little sections to see and explore.
Check out all the Byron Bay Markets
Almost all our road trips have visiting markets as a must-do activity. There is a good reason for that, to explore the place as a traveller and not just as a tourist. Markets are not just a place to buy and sell things but also a community. Here you get to meet the locals, listen to live music, try local delicacies and most importantly soak in the good vibes.
Byron Bay has markets almost every day & visiting each of them may be well worth your time.
The Byron Bay Market is open on the first Sunday of every month & is full of local businesses that sell everything from handcrafted artsy items through to crystals and clothing.
The Farmers’ Market has a variety of stalls that sell heaps of organic and local produce. Availability depends on the season but here are few products that are available all year round. The weekly market is open every Thursday until mid-day.
Byron Artisan Market is open only from mid-October through to the last Saturday before Easter & operate weekly on Saturday nights at Railway Park from 4 pm to 9 pm. This market is a great opportunity to see local arts and crafts that the region has to offer.
The Byron Bay Beachside Markets operate four times each year, in early January, Easter, mid-July & in late September. The market stalls stretching over half a kilometre exhibit an exciting array of artworks created by local designers and artists. There is also something for the whole family that include clothing, toys & memorabilia.
There are other markets nearby Byron, for a full list please refer here.
Skydive over the magnificent shoreline
Since you are in a place that boasts of stunning coastline, why not see it from a bird’s eye view. Skydiving in Byron Bay offers some insanely good scenery of idyllic beaches and hinterland below that stretch all the way to Brisbane, Queensland. Pump up your adrenaline and send your heart racing as you plummet from 15,000 feet with speeds of up to 200 km/hr. Skydiving is one of those bucket list items everyone needs to do in their life & there is no better place to do it other than Byron Bay.
We have both done our skydive in Wollongong, near Sydney. If you need to know the experience and what to expect before taking the leap of faith, check this out. The experience is absolutely surreal, skydiving with a professionally run company is now safer than it has ever been and is a surprisingly safe extreme sport.
Catch a surf or two in one of the many beaches
When in Byron, you are officially in surfers paradise. Surfing in Byron Bay has been a quintessential activity and defining feature since the 1960s. Surfing here is an annual pilgrimage for numerous wave riders. If you do not know how to surf, there are several surf schools that can help. Take up surf lessons to learn about the waves and score your first one.
The most popular and busiest surf spot in the whole of Byron has to be the pass, with gentle swells and beautiful waves rolling in, its best suited for beginners. Other popular and preferred locations by more experienced surfers include Clarkes Beach or Cosy Corner at Tallow Beach, Belongil Beach and Wategos Beach.
Try Yoga by the ocean
There is something about the beach, that makes you feel at ease immediately. Why not make it more relaxing by unwinding with some yoga. With the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the sight of nature, the beach is a perfectly tranquil environment for your yoga session.
Practising yoga on the beach can be very refreshing as you get to see different shades of the sky during a sunrise or sunset. With time on your side without having to rush to a yoga studio, you can take a deep breath of fresh air inhaling the sweet smell of the surf.
The Australian sun can be very harsh even during early mornings, so carry sunscreen along with your mat and water. While on the beach, don’t just limit yourself to yoga, it is also beneficial to take a mindful yet meditative walk along the beach later.
Groove to the music at the drumming circle
Imagine standing on a beachfront listening and grooving to the music of drums as the sun goes down and the colours of the lavender sky melt into saffron. There exist such a place and its right here in Byron Bay.
The famous drumming circle at the main beach attracts a great crowd and is impossible not to feel that magical vibe as people drum, dance and shake off the day. We have seen this happen between Friday – Sunday and sometimes on weekdays. The music is enthralling and pretty close to magic.
Take a ride on the world’s first solar train
The train ride is always nostalgic as it reminds us of a simpler time. Step back in time taking a fun ten-minute ride on two refurbished railway carriages from the 1940s complete with vintage lounge seats. This train runs between North Beach Station and the Byron Beach Platform. We explored this solar train ride from North Beach as we stayed closer to this location. Alternatively, if your journey is from Byron Beachside, you can explore the northern beach neighbourhood of artists, cafes and boutiques at Byron Arts Estate.
Kids would love this journey, as they can talk to the train conductor and learn how solar-powered train works. The 92 seated passenger train passes through the rainforest, endangered coastal wetlands and over the stunning Belongil Creek. Prices are nominal at $10 return for adults ($5 one way) and $6 return for kids from age 6 to 13 (smaller children ride for free). For updated daily time-table, please check their website.
Visit the arts and industry estate
If you have been on a short trip to Byron before, you might have seen this but ignored it anyways and driven on to other touristy locations. Arts and Industry estate is a rich cultural hub, home to a diverse community of innovative, creative businesses.
Travellers who fail to visit this space actually miss out on the complete Byron Experience. The centre boasts boutique stores, wellness area, cafes and art galleries including stores like Yoli and Otis, Haveli Byron Bay, 100 Mile Table and a local brewery Stone and Wood. It is a place to discover the latest artisan fashions and stunning artworks.
Stone and Wood Brewery Tour
If you make it to arts and industrial estate, you can try the guided tour of Stone and Wood brewery. Witness the brewing process in their brand-new state-of-the-art brewing facility. Head downstairs to their tasting room but go light on the samples, they can leave you a little tiddly by the end of the tour.
The brewery has won several awards for a series of delicious and locally-sourced flavours especially with their well-known and local favourite Pacific Ale. The tours are run two/three times every day of the week except Tuesday and last between 60 to 90 minutes. It can get quite busy during school holidays & long weekends, we recommend booking in advance to secure a spot.
Explore the ‘70s nostalgia at Rainbow Shop
The store is a one-stop-shop for all things tie-dyed, it will seem as if you have time-travelled back to the ’70s. You can pick some souvenirs that remind you of Byron, or junk jewellery like shell anklets and bracelets, or even pick up a dream catcher.
We visited this place on the last day of our trip and bought a wall hanging that reflected our feeling at the moment, “I left my heart in Byron Bay”.
Visit the Castles in Byron Bay
A short drive from the town centre lies Crystal Castle, home to the world’s largest and beautiful natural crystals. Get insta-worthy shots standing between two of the tallest crystals on earth or immerse yourself in the magic of the largest amethyst cave in the world. The tranquil garden is serene even on busy weekends. Purify yourself spiritually at the Kalachakra or peace stupa and explore the famous Buddha Walk.
If you are travelling with kids, you might want to consider going the opposite direction to a different castle. Macadamia Castle is an animal park and nut-themed place to feed native and farm animals. Explore family-friendly activities like a train ride or take a crack at a fun game of miniature golf.
Snorkel with the Turtles
Get to meet the locals at Julian Rocks Marine Park, Byron Bay arguably one of Australia’s best dive and snorkelling sites due to the vast diversity and abundance of its marine life.
Under the supervision of qualified divers, take a short boat trip to reserve and snorkel to experience a different environment. It is home to three different species of sea turtles and over four hundred species of fish including mantas &and grey nurse sharks. The experience is truly unique and worth your time and money.
Rejuvenate at Tea Tree Lake
Tea Tree Lake, also known as Lake Ainsworth, is not in Byron Bay, but in Lennox Head, about a 25-minute drive away. As the surface has an oily film, it may not look very inviting to take a dip.
The oil seen on the surface is actually the from the Tea Tree plants that grow beside the lake. Yes, the same tea tree oil for which we pay big bucks at the cosmetic stores. The oil that drips into the lake infuses the water body with antiseptic and medicinal properties. We saw many people taking a dip in it who claimed it works wonders on your skin.
Enjoy the different shades of sunset at The Pass
There is something about the beach that brings a smile on your face but combine that with golden hour & you have yourself contentment.
You get to see the pastel sunset colours of lavender melting into saffron here at The Pass and every single sunset is different from the other. The best way to end your day would be to lie down on the beach, watch and admire the different shades painted by nature.
How to get here and where to stay
If you are taking the aerial route, you have three airports within a couple of hours drive of Byron Bay. Gold Coast, Brisbane and Ballina, with Ballina Byron Gateway Airport being the closest. We have seen many people opt for Gold Coast and drive down in their rental car themselves or take a shuttle bus from the airport.
For other modes of transportation, there are choices between comfortable Train ride or a relaxing bus drive. We chose the fourth option of road-trip from Sydney, which is more or less 8 hour-long drive. You can also do a road-trip from Brisbane or Gold Coast, which is considerably less time if you fly here and opt for a hire car.
As with the choices of getting here, there are several options when it comes to accommodation. Depending on your budget, some places range from backpacker lodges to luxury stay.
Backpackers have myriad of choices, the most popular one’s being arts factory lodge and wake up! Byron Bay. There are several campgrounds in Byron Bay itself but are expensive. The cheapest options are from $30 to 40$ a night just outside the town. Airbnb is our pick when we travel as we get to stay with locals and have enough privacy and comfort.
If something a little more upscale is your preference, you can try the mid-range accommodation Atlantic and if absolute luxury is something you cannot do without, check out Elements.
When is the best time to visit
Byron is a year-round tourist destination, with hot summers and cool, dry winters. The days are warm and sunny almost throughout the year, making this place, a perfect beach holiday destination.
Best time to visit would be September to November where temperatures are comfortable with little chance of rain. December would be ideal but can get really crowded because of school holidays. The cheapest time to visit would be June to August with less than usual tourist activity.
Have you been to Byron Bay?
What were your favourite spots? We’d love to know!
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Very good post. Highly informative for travellers who want to visit Byron Bay in NSW, Australia. Keep up the good work.