Byron Bay Travelers Recommend

The small town of Byron Bay offers plenty of ways to fill a long weekend. A range of amenities and sights—from hippie-style shops and surf schools to a stupa blessed by the Dalai Lama—have made Byron a popular stop for travelers heading down the Gold Coast from Brisbane. Here are a few ways to enjoy a 3-day stay in Byron Bay. 

Day 1: Explore the Sights

Start your trip by exploring Byron Bay’s many offerings. Visit shops, local art galleries, cafes, and restaurants in town, and enjoy seasonal farmers markets and festivals. Immerse yourself in the crafty, creative spirit of Byron at the Arts and Industry Estate, or check out the World Peace Stupa, which is housed inside the Crystal Castle at the nearby Shambhala Gardens. 

In the afternoon, meander through villages like Mullumbimby and Nimbin, or spend an entire day swimming under rain forest waterfalls. If the weather's right, take a dip down at the conveniently-located Main Beach. Most guided tours of the area combine several area highlights on half- or full-day itineraries. 

Day 2: Beach Adventures

Start the day off early with a surfing lesson on Byron Bay's Main Beach. Known for its nice breaks and overall gentle nature, the beach is popular with both beginners and experienced surfers. After your morning workout, pause for breakfast, then heading off for a late morning walk along the Cape Byron Walking Track. This trail takes visitors to the Captain Cook lookout, Wategos Beach (where you can stop for a swim), and the Cape Byron Lighthouse.

If you’d rather see these sights from above, try a tandem skydive. Not only is the freefall experience exhilarating, but it also offers a scenic overhead view of the area. (If you’re lucky, you might even spot whales, dolphins, rays, and more in the region's waters.) Before heading back to town for some late afternoon shopping and dinner, explore more beaches, including Wategos and Little Wategos. 

Day 3: Day Trips by Land or Sea

On your last day, enjoy the gorgeous landscapes outside of Byron Bay. Head to Wollumbin National Park (formerly known as Mount Warning National Park), about an hour from town, and hike through the UNESCO-listed subtropical rainforest to the mountain’s summit for panoramic views. You can also book an overnight adventure in the park that includes kayaking and a campfire dinner. Alternatively, opt for a hike in Nightcap National Park, another World Heritage site in the hinterlands where you can cool off from your hike with a refreshing swim at Minyon Falls.

If you prefer snorkeling or scuba diving to hiking, take a boat to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve. The unique area has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore and is home to a variety of animal species that enjoy the warm currents that come down from the north. Be sure to bring an underwater camera to capture the colorful fish, rays, turtles, and sharks.

With its small town charm, eclectic shops, art galleries, and lovely cafes, Byron Bay can be anything from relaxing to energizing. Visitors to this coastal enclave have easy access to beautiful beaches, a scenic headland, and lots of outdoor activities. Here’s how to get the best from Byron Bay in just one day. 

Morning: Cape Byron Marine Life

Head to the cape, Australia’s easternmost point, and search the Pacific Ocean for marine life, including dolphins and migrating humpback whales (which are in the area from June to October). You can take advantage of the vista from atop the Cape Byron lighthouse, or get out onto the water—a whale-watching cruise increases your chances of spotting the mammals, and you may even be able to hear whale songs with specialized devices. You can also go sea kayaking; the crystal-clear, warm waters of protected Byron Bay make for gentle, rolling waves. Go with a guide who knows the terrain and will point out any bottlenose dolphins in the area. 

Afternoon: Into the Water

Now that the sun is at its hottest, it’s time to dive in. Byron Bay is famous for its beaches, and the tranquil breaks are ideal for learning to surf. Novices (or anyone wanting to brush up on their technique) can take a private or small-group lesson to practice skills, ranging from popping up on the board to catching a wave, with other like-minded travelers. Alternatively, book a snorkeling or scuba diving tour of Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, which is teeming with manta rays, wobbegong sharks, and three species of sea turtles, not to mention hundreds of types of fish. 

Night: Shoreline Serenity

Before you head into town to enjoy Byron’s restaurants, consider an evening paddle. The nearby Brunswick River is a popular place to see the local wildlife, and the birds are especially active around the saltmarsh and wetlands before night falls. Opt for a stand-up paddleboard or kayak tour; guides usually take out small groups, demonstrate basic paddling skills, and point out wildlife that you might not spot on your own. Dip your paddle into the serene waterway, slip past sand dunes and tea tree-lined lakes (ideal for swimming), and be sure to linger at the beach to enjoy the sunset.

Spending two days in Byron Bay allows you lots of time to enjoy the area’s scenic beaches and head out on a variety of adventures. Get onto the water, or adopt a bird’s-eye view from the lookout point of a lighthouse or a hot air balloon. Here’s how to make the most of a 2-day stay in Byron Bay.  

Day 1: Make the Most of the Beaches

**Morning:**Start the day with a beachfront yoga session, or get into the Byron spirit with an overnight package that combines stretching with surfing. Whether you’re an aspiring or established yogi, you’ll find plenty of restorative options to strengthen and balance—a perfect way to prepare you for popping up on a surfboard to catch a wave.

**Afternoon:**Devote the afternoon to more fun in the sun. Shake out your sarong on the soft sands of Main Beach, or take a stroll over to the headland for a look at Cape Byron’s lighthouse, which overlooks Australia’s easternmost point. You can visit with a guide or rent a bike. 

**Night:**Soak up the evening sounds of wildlife on the waterways around Byron; the mangroves and marshlands are rich with native flora and fauna. You can toast the sunset on a cruise around Ballina Island and the Richmond River Nature Reserve, or paddle through on a kayak. 

Day 2: To the Hinterland

**Morning:**Rise early for a hot air balloon flight and see the sunrise from above. Cast your gaze over the coastline and the forested slopes Mount Warning (Wollumbin), which towers over Byron Bay’s hinterland. Rather stay grounded? Consider a guided tour of nearby towns like Bangalow, which is located in the Northern Rivers region. 

**Afternoon:**Most travelers are drawn to Byron Bay for its shoreline, but not far from the coast you’ll also find plunging waterfalls. Volcanic rocks create swimming holes around the rain forest just outside Nimbin, while Minyon Falls has a lookout that boasts views that stretch over the treetops all the way to the sea.

**Night:**By day it’s quite possible to find Australian wildlife, from kangaroos and wallabies to koalas feeding on eucalyptus. But you’ll want to set off after dark with a guide and a pair of special goggles to aid your night vision if you want to spot nocturnal marsupials like pademelon and bandicoot.

With miles of white sand stretching from Cape Byron up into Queensland and the Gold Coast, Byron Bay spoils sun-seekers for choice. Whether you want to learn to surf, enjoy water sports, or party at a beach bar, here are our picks of the best Byron Bay beaches.  

Main Beach

Byron’s most frequented beach is the aptly named Main Beach, located a short stroll from the shops and restaurants of the town. With a view of the Cape Byron headland and stunning sunsets, it's one of the region’s most beautiful beaches and a popular choice for families.

Clarkes Beach

Just down the strip from Main Beach, Clarkes Beach is a perfect destination for outdoor activities, with ample opportunities to enjoy water sports, take a surf class, or play a game of beach volleyball. The rocky coastline also harbors some great snorkeling spots. 

The Pass

East of Main Beach, The Pass is renowned for its world-class surf and and is a great place to spot dolphins and whales in winter. It’s also the starting point for snorkeling and scuba diving expeditions to Julian Rocks and hikes along the Cape Byron Walking Track.

Wategos Beach

On the northern coast of Cape Byron, the beaches of Wategos and Little Wategos offer sheltered waters ideal for swimming in a more secluded location, one set a good distance away from the crowds of the town beaches. From here, it’s an easy to visit the Cape Byron Lighthouse or the Most Easterly Point of the Australian Mainland.

The beaches of Byron Bay are divine, and the area’s underwater world is especially rich with life, since it is bathed in the warm currents drifting down from the Great Barrier Reef. When you’re ready to get off the sand and into the water, here’s a rundown of the best scuba diving sites and snorkeling spots.

Julian Rocks Marine Reserve

Just a 5-minute boat ride from Byron Bay, Julian Rocks Marine Reserve is one of the few sites where you can swim with tropical species found on the Great Barrier Reef and mammals from Australia’s Southern Ocean, including three species of sea turtle, wobbegong sharks, and manta rays. Snorkel and scuba dive tours departing from Byron Bay typically include equipment and transportation. Some snorkeling tours are specifically targeted at swimming with sea turtles and include instruction if required.

Cod Hole

About 100 feet (30 meters) from the northeastern tip of Julian Rocks, the Cod Hole is one of the most popular dive sites around the rocks. A spacious swim-through that opens up at about 50 feet (15 meters), it is home to big moray eels, blue groupers, wobbegongs, and tropical fish of all sizes.

Cray Cave

At the southeast end of Julian Rocks, the Cray Cave is a small swim-through where, amongst the black coral, you can spot marine life such as grey nurse sharks, loggerhead turtles, and big bullrays. Divers can reach depths of up to 82 feet (25 meters).

Tassie III Wreck

Believed to have been sunk at the end of World War II while supplying American forces with ammunition, the wreck of the Tassie III (believed to be the Tassie II until 2008) remains off the shore of Main Beach and is especially shallow, making it ideal for snorkelers to explore. Just remember to do so with caution and while the ocean is calm—and watch out for surfers using the wreck as a break.

From fresh breads and juices to antiques and locally made artwork, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for—and much more—at Byron Bay’s best markets. Typically you can make a market stop as part of a guided tour of the Byron Bay region. Read on for some recommendations for where and when to go, and what to buy.

Byron Bay Community Market

On the first Sunday of the month, the Butler Street Reserve hosts the Byron Bay Community Market. Colorfully dressed vendors preside over stalls full of handcrafted wares, locally grown produce, artwork, and freshly prepared food. Imported goods from Africa and Asia add to the visual vibrancy of the market. Families with children are encouraged to make a day of it and enjoy the market’s hands-on activities.

Byron Bay Farmers Market

At the Butler Street Reserve on Thursday mornings, area farmers bring their fresh produce—including many organic products—to the Byron Bay Farmers Market, which guided tours of the area typically include in their itineraries. Available produce changes from season to season, but reliable staples include freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, macadamia nuts, fresh bread, coffee, and honey.

New Brighton Farmers Market

Byron tours running on Tuesdays often stop at the New Brighton Farmers Market, 14 miles (22 kilometers) north of Byron Bay. Set riverside, just a short stroll from the beach, the market’s 30+ vendors offer the best of local produce and prepared goods, from olives and spices to cheese and sourdough bread.

Byron Artisan Market

This small night market, showcasing local art and handicrafts, pops up in Railway Park on Saturday evenings. This market closes for winter and operates from the first Saturday in October to the Saturday before Easter.

Byron Beachside Market

Held just four times a year on the foreshore of Main Beach, Byron Beachside Market is a sprawling, 200-stall web of artwork, crafts, toys, and gifts designed by local artists. As well as supporting the local arts, you’ll likely pick up some great, one-of-a-kind souvenirs.