Last updated: April 4, 2024
The top 10 things to do in Byron Bay and the surrounding area, with the best attractions and activities that will keep you busy for a week.
Byron Bay is a popular beach-side town, tucked away in the northeastern corner of New South Wales, not too far from the Queensland border.
The town attracts a large number of travellers each year, but despite its growing popularity and the influx of tourists, Byron Bay has never lost its small-town laid-back atmosphere.
To help you plan your next trip to this beautiful part of New South Wales, we have shortlisted ten great attractions and activities in the Byron Bay area.
1. Spend a Day Beach Hopping
Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of beaches in and around Byron Bay.
The Main Beach, patrolled by surf lifesavers, is a scenic north-facing stretch of sand with a popular surfing break, and only a short stroll away from the cafes across the road. The beach extends to the east, flowing into Clarkes Beach.
Further east is Wategos Beach, a sheltered, family-friendly stretch of sand with excellent BBQ and toilet facilities. Next door is Little Wategos Beach, Australia’s easternmost beach, accessible via the Lighthouse walking track.
Located just south of Cape Byron in Arakwal National Park, Tallow Beach is a long stretch of sand connecting with Broken Head. The northern tip of this beach, also known as the Cosy Corner, is a popular surf spot with surf breaks protected from the northerly winds.
Also worth mentioning is Belongil Beach, located just west of the Byron Bay town centre. Great for dogs and families, Belongil is a much quieter alternative to Byron Bay’s main beach.
2. Hike to the Base of Minyon Falls
Located just moments away from Byron Bay in Nightcap National Park, Minyon Falls is a stunning plunge waterfall that drops more than 100 metres into a deep gorge.
A beautiful 7.5 km walking track through subtropical rainforests brings you to a magical swimming hole underneath the waterfall. Don’t forget to bring your swimmers on a warm day because taking a dip there is quite a unique experience.
There are also two lookout points from where you can have a closer look at this beautiful waterfall and its surroundings. The main lookout point, at the top of the waterfall at the Minyon Falls picnic area, offers the best views.
3. Walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse
Perhaps the most iconic landmark in the Byron Bay Shire is that pretty and unpretentious lighthouse, standing proud and tall on the tip of Cape Byron.
You can drive there, but the best way to make your way up the hill and explore the beauty of this area is by doing the Cape Byron Lighthouse walking track.
This easy 4 km return coastal trail starts at the main beach and follows the coastline past Byron Bay’s beaches and clifftop lookouts offering panoramic ocean views. The track also passes the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, the perfect place to spot dolphins and whales.
Once you reach the lighthouse, you can take a peek inside and learn more about its history. The cafe next door serves great cakes and coffee.
The return trip offers fantastic views of Tallow Beach, before heading back into Byron Bay through a scenic rainforest environment.
4. Visit the Local Shops and Markets
It’s often said that visiting markets is the best way to get to know a local culture. Luckily, the Byron Shire has lots of produce and craft markets on almost every day. This allows visitors to experience the colourful and unique culture and atmosphere of the Byron Bay area.
The Byron Bay Community Markets are held each Sunday at the Butler Street Reserve, offering a great variety of handcrafted wares, locally-grown produce and different types of artworks.
The Byron Bay Farmers Market, held every Thursday, is another popular local market supporting local producers that offer fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables.
5. Dine and Drink the Night Away
With its ever-increasing appeal to travellers from all over the world, it’s no surprise that Byron Bay has a great variety of cafes, pubs, and bars spread across town.
Byron Bay has always tried to keep the cheap fast-food chains out (there is still no McDonald’s to be found in Byron Bay), but you’ll find plenty of places in town that offer decent food at reasonable prices.
Byron Bay is also home to some great live music spots and nightclubs. And because it’s such a small town, everything is within walking distance, making it easy to walk around and find your favourite place for a bite and a drink.
Popular restaurants are the Beach Byron Bay Restaurant, Balcony Bar, and The Roadhouse, which is a bit further south out of town but worth a visit. The best place for live music and great pub food is The Rails, which has a relaxed and somewhat quirky atmosphere.
6. Go Surfing, Snorkelling or Scuba diving
With so many beaches at your doorstep, it’s no surprise that the Byron Bay area is the perfect destination for typical ocean-based activities, such as surfing, snorkelling, and scuba diving.
Popular surfing spots can be found at the Main Beach, the Pass, Wategos Beach and the Cosy Corner at Tallow Beach. Julian Rocks is a popular spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. Several operators organise day tours to these and other popular locations.
Other ocean-based activities you can try out in Byron Bay are stand-up paddling, kayaking, eco cruises, and whale watching.
7. Visit the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens
Discover Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens, the jewel of the Byron Bay Hinterland. It’s a well-hidden, magical place with giant crystals, sacred statues, stunning gardens in rainforest settings, unique jewellery, and fresh food.
The complex is also home to the Kalachakra World Peace Stupa, an 8m high sacred Buddhist shrine.
Blessed by the Dalai Lama, this vibrant structure is the first Kalachakra Stupa in the Southern Hemisphere and only the seventh to be built in the world.
8. Visit Mullumbimby
An easy 20-minute drive north-west from Byron Bay, at the foot of Mount Chincogan, is Mullumbimby, also known as the biggest little town in Australia.
The friendly locals like to refer to their hometown as Mullum. Visiting Mullumbimby is like taking a step back in time, perhaps a bit like what Byron Bay used to be like before tourism took over.
Mullumbimby is full of character and has a pleasant atmosphere. The best way to appreciate the biggest little town in Australia is to wander around and discover the many shops, galleries, cafes, eateries, and other little treasures.
9. Visit Nimbin
A holiday break in Byron Bay is not complete without a visit to Nimbin in the Byron Bay Hinterland. Nimbin is a sleepy little town 60 km west of Byron Bay that looks like it’s still stuck in the 1970s.
After the collapse of the dairy industry in the area in the 1960s, Nimbin slowly turned into a haven for Australia’s counterculture movement, triggered by the Aquarius Festival held in Nimbin in 1973.
Since then, Nimbin has attracted writers, artists, musicians, environmentalists and permaculture enthusiasts to settle in the area.
10. Visit Point Danger at the Border With Queensland
Located at Tweed Heads and Coolangatta on the southern end of the Gold Coast, Point Danger is a headland that marks the border between New South Wales and Queensland.
Centrally located on the border, right next to the Captain Cook Memorial, is a gigantic, eye-catching concrete tower that is, in fact, a working lighthouse.
The lighthouse and memorial were erected in 1970 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the east coast of Australia. Captain Cook named the area Point Danger when he first sighted it in 1770.
Named after AHS Centaur, which was sunk by a Japanese submarine in May 1943, the Centaur Remembrance Walk along the coast commemorates ships lost to Japanese and German action during World War II. Memorial plaques are positioned along the walk to honour those lost at sea.
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About Byron Bay
Also known as “Cavvanbah” by the local Arakwal people, Byron Bay and Cape Byron were named after Naval officer John Byron, by Captain James Cook who arrived in the area in 1770.
In the first half of the 20th century, Byron Bay quickly developed itself as a busy industrial port town before slowly becoming a holiday destination and surfing hot spot from the 1960s onwards.
But there is so much more to Byron Bay than just beaches and cafes. With so many natural attractions and charming townships in the surrounding area, Byron Bay is the perfect place for a short holiday break when you most need it.
With its long-stretched beaches, a great variety of cafes and restaurants, spectacular coastal trails, stunning bushwalks, and pretty waterfalls in the hinterland, Byron Bay truly has something to do for everyone.
Where to Stay
Most people visiting Byron Bay will want to stay there for at least a few days, and luckily there are plenty of options available, catering to all budgets.
1. Best Luxury: Elements of Byron
Our recommended luxury hotel in Byron Bay is Elements of Byron, a popular resort & spa that offers unrivalled luxury in picturesque surroundings, situated west of the Byron Bay city centre.
The beach is right at your doorstep, and the lagoon-style heated pool with a swim-up bar is the perfect alternative.
2. Best Mid Range: The Cape Beach House
Our recommended mid-range hotel in Byron Bay is The Cape Beach House, a contemporary bed & breakfast located only a short stroll away from Byron Bay’s bars, restaurants and shops.
Each suite is individually styled with private ensuites, tea and coffee-making facilities, kitchenettes, flat-screen televisions and wifi. Outside, you will find a pool, a sun deck and a comfortable open lounge area.
3. Best Hostel: Wake Up! Byron Bay
Our recommended hostel in the Byron Bay area is Wake Up! Byron Bay, a nicely refurbished hostel located at the Belongil beachfront.
This fantastic hostel offers modern quality accommodation with a range of different room options. Visitors will have access to free activities such as yoga, fitness classes, sunrise lighthouse tours, surfboards, and bicycles.
Read our guide to the best places to stay in Byron Bay for more great ideas and options to consider.
How to Get to Byron Bay
Road trip!
Part of the fun of enjoying a holiday in Byron Bay is the road trip to get there, no matter which direction you’re coming from.
By Car
If you’re driving up from Sydney, expect to spend about 10-12 hours in the car, including stops. Yes, that is a long time, but we’re big fans of road trips, and the road trip to Byron Bay along the beautiful coast of New South Wales is one of the best. It’s a very easy drive, too; simply follow the Pacific Highway from Sydney all the way to Byron Bay.
A big advantage of taking your own car is that it allows you to do day trips out to some of the above-mentioned places, such as Nimbin, Minyon Falls, and Point Danger.
By Air
Flying is also a good option, with daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Newcastle to the following airports:
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport
- Gold Coast Airport
- Brisbane Airport
From Ballina, it’s only a 30-minute drive to the Byron Bay town centre, and a bit longer from Gold Coast and Brisbane airports. All these airports have car rental services available.
