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Byron Bay is a quintessential Australian beach town renowned for its awesome surfing opportunities, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere.
Let’s jump straight in and take a look at the town’s most popular sights. Here, we’ll highlight some of the best things to do in this scenic region of New South Wales.
1. Broken Head Nature Reserve
Photo Credit: Camila Se
- Address: Broken Head Reserve Rd, Broken Head NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 24/7
Broken Head Nature Reserve offers the opportunity to discover Aboriginal culture while relaxing in nature. To see incredible views of a series of rocky outcrops that are the subject of a popular Aboriginal tale, walk through the rainforest to the “Three Sisters Lookout”. You can also try your hand at fishing on the beach at Broken Head, and you might be lucky enough to spot whales swimming out at sea.
2. Arakwal National Park
- Address: Tallow Beach Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 24/7
Arakwal National Park is home to rainforests, dunes, beaches, and rugged hills, and its variety of habitats allows it to nurture a wide range of wildlife. There are scenic trails to explore and opportunities for swimming and surfing in the waters, particularly on Tallow Beach. Go kayaking and scuba diving in nearby Cape Byron Marine Park to see coral reefs, starfish, rays, and turtles.
3. Cape Byron Lighthouse
Photo Credit: Luis Cristofori
- Address: Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily
Byron Bay Lighthouse is positioned at Cape Bryon Headland, which is Australia’s most easterly point. It can be seen easily from the town center, but a visit to this popular landmark gives you the opportunity to spot marine life from its viewing platform.
4. Byron Bay Markets
One of the best ways to get to know Byron Bay is to experience the friendly atmosphere of its markets. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to sample tasty local produce and pick up some interesting souvenirs.
Byron Bay Community Market
- Website: www.byroncentre.com.au/bcm/byron-community-market
- Address: Johnson Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 8 am – 2 pm on the first Sunday of the month
Since 1987, this popular market has been hosting an eclectic mix of vendors selling food, art, crafts, music, and more. If you want to support local businesses and talent, the Community Market is the perfect place to do so. The market is always busy with locals and tourists, so this is the perfect place to drop by for a taste of Byron Bay’s friendly, hippy atmosphere.
Byron Farmers Market
- Address: Butler Street Reserve, Butler St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 7 am – 11 am Thursday
Byron Bay Farmers Market is the perfect place for foodies to taste delicious local meat, seafood, fruits and veggies, cheese, baked goods, wine, spirits, and much more. If you can’t make it to Byron Farmers Market, head to nearby Bangalow Farmers Market instead, where many of the same vendors operate on Saturday mornings between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
5. The Farm
- Address: 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 7 am – 4 pm daily
The Farm is an 80-acre working cooperative farm that aims to feed the local community while educating visitors about health, wellness, and environmental protection. Take a guided tour of the property to meet some of the workers and animals, then enjoy a delicious farm-to-table meal in the renowned Three Blue Ducks restaurant.
6. Whale Watching
Photo Credit: Alan Dunn
The NSW coastline has a diverse range of wildlife to be discovered on its land and in its oceans, and whale watching is one of the best animal experiences on offer. Half-day and full-day experiences are available, with the latter giving visitors the best chances of spotting whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. The best time to see humpback whales is during migration season, which lasts from June until September.
7. Main Beach
Photo Credit: puyalroyo
- Address: Main Beach, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 24/7
Byron Bay is a hugely popular destination for hippies, backpackers, and surfers looking for laid-back beach vibes, and Main Beach is a hub for this crowd. This is the main stretch of sand that lies alongside the town center. There are great amenities here, including public toilets and parking, and there are several surf schools if you’re interested in taking surf lessons.
If Main Beach is too busy for your tastes, check out some of Byron’s Bay’s other beaches:
- Belongil Beach – a quieter beach with a dog-friendly section
- The Wreck – a short stretch of popular surf break named after a shipwreck that can be seen protruding from the water
- Clarkes Beach – a family-friendly beach with a waterfront campground and waters that are perfect for snorkeling
- The Pass – a renowned point break loved by surfers and dolphins and the departure point for boats taking divers to Julian Rocks
- Wategos Beach – a pretty white sand cove with gorgeous turquoise waters and a leafy backdrop
- Tallow Beach – a peaceful beach with minimal development that’s perfect for spotting wildlife
8. Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens
Photo Credit: Sarawut Konganantdech
- Address: 81 Monet Dr, Montecollum NSW 2482
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
Drive out into the scenic Byron hinterlands to visit this fascinating site where you can wander through tranquil gardens and rainforests, sit inside an ancient amethyst cave, and see the world’s tallest geodes. Some of the crystals at the Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens are likely to be in the region of 500 million years old.
9. Minyon Falls Lookout
- Address: Minyon Platform Track, Whian Whian NSW 2480
- Opening hours: 24/7
Take in the impressive sight of the gorgeous waterfall and rugged valley at the Minyon Falls Lookout. If you have time for a hike, follow the walking track through the eucalyptus forest down to the pool at the base of the falls where you can take a dip.
10. Mullumbimby
Mullumbimby is one of Byron Shire’s most popular towns. It lies in the foothills of Mount Chincogan and serves as the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. Walk the banks of the Brunswick River, buy seasonal local fare from Mullum Farmers Market, and chat with friendly locals when you dine and drink in the town’s restaurants, cafes, and bars.
11. Nightcap National Park
- Address: Turntable Trail, Nightcap NSW 2480
- Opening hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily
Nightcap National Park lies within the Gondwana Rainforest World Heritage area, which is the world’s largest area of subtropical rainforest and a vital living link to the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. There’s a huge array of avian life here, including several threatened species, such as the red goshawk and the rufous scrub bird. Take a guided tour at night to see the incredible glow worm cave.
12. Day Trips from Byron Bay
Photo Credit: photoK-jp
Byron Bay has plenty of sights, but if you fancy a change of scenery and an opportunity to see more of this region of New South Wales, consider taking a day trip to one of these nearby destinations:
Brunswick Heads
This chilled beach town, a 20-minute drive south of Byron Bay, is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing. Take a wildlife cruise to spot dolphins, or wander around town to explore some cool vintage shops and independent boutiques.
The Gold Coast
The Gold Coast lies an hour north of Byron Bay, just over the Queensland state border. This cool city offers incredible beaches and plenty of fantastic restaurants, bars, and clubs. It also has several fun theme parks, including Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild, and GC Aqua Park.
Lennox Head
Lennox Head lies close to Ballina Byron Airport where visitors fly in from Sydney, Melbourne, and other major Australian cities. It offers awesome waves for experienced surfers and relaxed swimming at the nearby freshwater Lake Ainsworth.
13. Byron Bay Distilleries
Byron Bay and the wider Northern Rivers region are home to some of Australia’s best-known craft distilleries. Check out one of these popular spots to sample delicious artisanal spirits:
Lord Byron Distillery
- Website: lordbyrondistillery.com.au
- Address: 7/4 Banksia Dr, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday
This family-owned distillery produces several delicious spirits, including gin, rum, and whisky, using 100% renewable energy and zero-waste practices. It offers tours with tasting sessions, cocktail-making masterclasses, and even the opportunity to distill your own bespoke gin.
Cape Byron Distillery
- Website: capebyrondistillery.com
- Address: 80 St Helena Rd, McLeods Shoot NSW 2479
- Opening hours: 10.45 am – 6 pm Thursday to Sunday
Cape Bryon Distillery is set within the beautifully rugged hinterlands. It was established by a Byron local, Eddie Brook, who teamed up with a renowned Scottish master distiller, Jim McEwan. Together, they’ve created some award-winning spirits, including a single malt whisky called “The Original.”
Husk Farm Distillery
- Website: https://www.huskdistillers.com/
- Address: 1152 Dulguigan Rd, North Tumbulgum NSW 2490
- Opening hours: 11 am – 4 pm Monday & Tuesday / 11 am – 5 pm Wednesday / 11 am – 6 pm Saturday / 11 am – 5 pm Sunday
This farm-based distillery focuses on using locally sourced, sustainable ingredients — many of which are grown on its own land. A tour lets you learn about the entire farm-to-bottle distilling process. You can also taste the resulting gin and rum and enjoy a bite to eat at the farm’s on-site cafe.
14. Skydiving
- Address: Hangar 1, Tyagarah Airfield, Pacific Highway, Tyagarah NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 8 am – 7 pm daily
Skydiving has become an increasingly popular pastime in Byron Bay, and for good reason. The area is simply stunning, and there’s no better way to admire its sprawling rainforests, rugged hinterland, and pristine beaches than from the sky as you parachute down to Earth after jumping out of a plane.
Skydiving is not for the fainthearted, but it’s a fantastic way to get adrenaline pumping, and Byron Bay is one of the best places in the world to do it.
15. Spell’s Byron Bay Boutique
- Website: aus. spell.co/pages/byron-bay-store
- Address: 15 Browning St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
There are some fantastic independent fashion boutiques in Byron Bay, and Spell is one of them. This jewelry and clothing brand was founded by two sisters who started selling their wares at Byron Bay’s markets. Now, Spell’s flagship boutique is one of the town’s most popular stores. Be sure to drop in to admire the cool, bohemian space that perfectly blends old and new.
Explore the Sights of Beautiful Byron Bay
Byron Bay has attractions and activities to suit all paces and tastes. Which of these popular sights will you explore on your upcoming getaway to this relaxing beach town?
