Byron Bay is a cool coastal town on the New South Wales coast that, of course, you will have heard of. Perhaps not as bohemian as it once was, you’ll find stunning beaches, reliable surf spots, upmarket bars and restaurants as well as cool hangout spots. This is my guide to the best things to do in Byron Bay.
Welcome to Byron Bay.
Byron Bay’s reputation clearly precedes it but we found it really was a great place to chill out and find some peace during our failed attempt at the lap of Australia. It wasn’t however anywhere near as ‘hippy’ as I might have thought in advance though; it was far cooler than that. We filled our days with buying fresh produce (far too much passionfruit) at the Farmers Market, eating healthy and wholesome brunches, having a beer or two in afternoon before watching the surfer’s doing their thing as the sun slipped below the distant mountains. To be fair, by the end of our time in Byron Bay, I was walking barefoot. Doesn’t that tell you all you need to know?
This famous New South Wales beach town has far more going for it than for the bohemian outpost it perhaps once was. There’s still a lot of incense and crystals, but you’ll find that on the Gold Coast too, but I found Byron Bay to be relatively upmarket with natural homeware boutiques, high quality clothing stores and lovely bars and restaurants. There are of course lots of hostels, this is still a backpackers paradise, but Byron Bay certainly appeals to more these days.
We spent four days in Byron Bay which we found to be the perfect length of time to get in tune with Byron Bay’s unique vibes, relax on the beach and live as though we were local. Whilst you can, without doubt, see the best of Byron Bay in two days, if you get chance I’d highly recommend staying longer. So, whether you’re planning to stay for a while or want to see the highlights as quickly as possible, this guide to the best things to do in Byron Bay will certainly help make the most of your time here.
THINGS TO DO IN BYRON BAY
MOST EASTERLY POINT OF AUSTRALIA – CAPE BYRON LIGHTHOUSE
Probably the most popular thing to do in Byron Bay is to visit the most easterly point of mainland Australia at Cape Byron Lighthouse. There is a taxing 3.7km walk from Byron Bay up to the lighthouse or you can take your chances on a parking spot at the top. We were somehow incredibly lucky to fit our campervan in a little parking spot and didn’t have to pay the $10 for an hour fee either thanks to our National Park annual pass.
This entire headland offers beautiful views both back along Main Beach and south along Tallow Beach. Honestly, I could have stayed here for hours just soaking in the views, hoping for a glimpse of a dolphin or turtle in the shallows below. If you’re visiting between May and November, you might see Humpback Whales on their annual migration.
If you really want to take things up a notch, head to the Cape Byron Lighthouse at sunrise to be on of the first on the east coast to catch it!
BYRON BAY FARMERS’ MARKET
Every Thursday morning, on the Butler Street Reserve, you’ll find the Byron Bay Farmers’ Market and a delightful selection of stalls featuring tropical fruits, organic vegetables, coffee and freshly baked bread. We loved wandering around the stalls watching locals support local producers and daydreaming of what our life could be like if we uprooted everything to live here. If you’re here on a Thursday, you must visit the market; it’s so laid-back you’ll love it.
BRUNCH IN BYRON
Brunch and Byron are two words that go hand in hand. You can’t come to Byron Bay without experiencing its brunch scene. After later visiting Bali, it was clear to see where the Indonesians had taken their brunch inspiration from; Bryon Bay. If you’re looking for nourishing smoothies, vegan acai bowls, poached eggs or some latest superfood, Byron Bay has you covered. The best places in Byron Bay for brunch have to be Combi, Folk, The Top Shop & Three Blue Ducks at The Farm.
RELAX ON MAIN BEACH
Main Beach is well, you guessed it, the Main Beach in Byron Bay which means that it is certainly the busiest with the most ‘going on’. Sure, there are nicer beaches, quieter beaches, but if you’re looking for a quintessentially Byron Bay experience, hang out on Main Beach for a while, listen to the musicians as they deliver the soundtrack to your afternoon before cooling off in the ocean. Needless to say, we are in Australia after all, Main Beach is still absolutely beautiful.
HAVE A BEER OR TWO
Ok, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a beer but there are so many great places in Byron Bay for an afternoon drink or two. We enjoyed a cold one at the Beach Hotel (the closest you’re going to get to Main Beach), The Balcony Bar (for proper coastal beach-house vibes) and the Treehouse on Belongil (for cocktails and wood-fired pizza). Stone & Wood Brewery was on my list of places to visit for a tour but we just didn’t get chance, even with it being walking distance from the Discovery Parks campsite we stayed at!
WATCH THE SURFERS AT SUNSET AT THE PASS
This might just be the best place to watch the sunset from in Byron Bay. The Pass, just under the Cape Byron Lighthouse, is a beach that faces back towards Main Beach; almost due west. The Pass is also extremely popular for surfers thanks to its apparently word famous right-hand point breaks. Combine the two and you’ve got an epic evening ahead of you. We chilled on the beach watching the sun turn the sky a cotton-candy pink with experienced surfers ending their day in style. As the sun slips below the distant mountains, head back into town for drinks and dinner.
DINE AT CRYSTALBROOK BYRON
Now for a bit of luxury, something with which my wife and I could not do without even on a strict budget. Crystalbrook Bryon is an exceptional five-star spa resort nestled in the south Byron Bay rainforest. Whilst I would love to say that we stayed here, we weren’t able to justify the expense, but dining at the Forest restaurant is the next best thing. The food served here is as local as you can get; 80% of the ingredients are sourced within a three-hour drive of the restaurant. Whether you’re looking to share a few small plates between you and your partner or prefer a larger main dish each, there’s something here for everyone. At the time, we shared the sirloin on the bone and paid $18 for nuts and olives but of course menus change and I must say that the food on offer now looks right up my street. There’s still the big hitter in the form of a 600g bone-in rib eye to share for $115 but you’ll also find Bangalow Sweet Pork schnitzel, Roast Cauliflower and the most incredible sounding seafood platter (considering I’m not a big seafood fan) which features oysters, wild-caught fish ceviche, scallops, grilled prawns, mussels, squid and more!
VISIT THE BIG PRAWN AT BELLINA
Around 30 minutes south of Byron Bay, outside a Bunnings store, is another example of Australia’s quirky obsession with big things. This is the Big Prawn at Bellina and just has to be photographed to add to your collection. There are many big things across Australia but this was actually one of my favourites; perhaps as we were in a great mood about to drive the coast road up to Byron Bay.
DAY TRIP TO THE HINTERLAND
The hills beyond Byron Bay are home to charming towns that each deserve a visit whether for a day trip or a weekend away. Byron Bay’s hinterland was the first place in Australia that, notwithstanding the weather, reminded me of England with its lush green fields and rolling hills. Whether you’re looking for stunning waterfalls (Minyon Falls), iconic Australian mountains (some to be in awe of but no longer climbed), market towns (Bangalow) or a hippie village where cannabis is openly smoked (Nimbin), there really is something for all types of traveller. A quick word of warning on Nimbin though. It does feature heavily on the backpacker route up the east coast of Australia and so we made a detour specifically to see the town but, to be honest, it wasn’t worth it. I was offered drugs much stronger than cannabis almost immediately upon entering the high street. I can see its appeal perhaps to some people but it just wasn’t for me!
Now that we’ve covered all that in my guide to the best things to do in Byron Bay, do you see why it’s classed as one of the best places to visit in Australia? Byron Bay is far more upmarket than perhaps I was led to believe and I’m hoping that it will surprise many more visitors for years to come!
WHERE NEXT?
Ok, let’s be honest, it’s taken me long enough to find the time to publish guides covering my time in Australia. Now though, the majority of them are linked below, so wherever you’re heading you’re likely to find what you need below!
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