Our favourite Byron Bay attractions…
We’re blessed to have beautiful Byron Bay situated a short distance from the Gold Coast International Airport in the Northern Rivers of NSW. We’ve been transferring delighted clients to Byron for years, so we know a thing or two about the best things to do in Byron!
Let’s get to it, look no further for the ultimate guide of attractions and amazing locations to experience while you’re visiting.
The Beaches
There’s a good reason we’ve put Byron’s world-class beaches in position 1, they are without a doubt some of the most pristine, beautiful beaches you’ll find anywhere. We’ve put together a little info on the best of Byron’s best beaches below.
MAIN BEACH
After some action? Then look no further, Main Beach as you’d expect sits in front of the main strip of Byron and is closest to most shops and restaurants. Perfect to get a take-away and watch the sunset, there’s also a great view of the lighthouse and main bay. The beach is patrolled and there are some decent waves to be found in the right conditions. The Wreck is situated a little to the North and often provides peaking a-frame barrels, best enjoyed early with a light offshore breeze.
CLARKES BEACH
Clarkes can be found between Main Beach and The Pass. There’s a nice cafe on the water and the beach is often less crowded than Main Beach. Mount Warning towers into the Sky when you look north, at the right time of year you will see picturesque sunsets as the sun dips behind the hills. Take the kids, buckets and spades and enjoy a lazy afternoon soaking it all in.
THE PASS
The Pass is located at the Southern end of Byron’s main beach. Larger swells and southerly winds produce an amazing right-hand point break that peels along the white sand beach. This is a favourite with locals and tourists so it can get crowded when conditions are good. You’ll also find stairs up to a great lookout at the point, which is the perfect location for watching surfers and humpback whales moving past during migration season.
WATEGOS
Wategos beach sits nestled under the Byron lighthouse between The Pass and Tallows Beach. You’ll find crystal clear water and a nice wave that is often less crowded than The Pass, perfect for the longboard. Wategos has great views across to the popular dive site, Julian Rocks and gives a different perspective of the bay. Make use of the free BBQs and take the snorkel, once you visit Wategos you’ll always have to drop in for a visit when you’re at Byron. You’ll also see a mix of 5 star resorts and multi-million dollar mansions dotting the hills above the beach.
TALLOWS BEACH
When the wind is blowing from the North, locals know that Tallows is the place to be. Cape Byron headland provides a natural wind block, and the Northerly also blows offshore compared to other Byron beaches. When you walk to the Lighthouse, many people see Tallows for the first time – a great long beautiful white sand beach stretching to the South. Take care, the rips can be strong and the surf is often quite powerful compared to the other Byron beaches.
Byron Bay Lighthouse
Cape Byron is the most Easterly point in Australia, so it’s a great place to welcome the day if you like getting up early. It’s possible to drive to the top, although parking can be crowded. Another popular option is to walk up and cool off in the ocean breeze once you get to the top. From the top of the headland, there are inspiring 360-degree views that really let you take in Byron and get a good understanding of the layout. The lighthouse is a popular location for photography, there are some jaw-dropping photos of the full moon rising behind the lighthouse that appear on Instagram and other channels when the conditions line up.
Kayak, Scuba and Snorkel
Dive boats often launch at The Pass, which can be interesting to watch when the surf is crowded! Local operators such as sundive.com.au and byronbaydivecentre.com.au offer expeditions to local world-class dive sites. Julian rocks is known as one of Australia’s top 10 dive sites, it is a marine reserve where you’ll find an awesome selection of marine life such as turtles and manta rays.
If you like to get out on the water, check our goseakayakbyronbay.com.au or capebyronkayaks.com. The area is well known for Dolphins and Whales, which can be seen close-up from a Kayak. It’s also a nice way to see Byron from a different perspective which most people don’t normally get to experience. Make sure to take a good hat and apply plenty of sun protection!
Stone & Wood Breweries
When it comes to iconic Australian craft beer, Stone & Wood has taken it to the next level. Starting out in Byron, the beer was so popular that they had to open another brewery up the road in Murwillumbah to keep up with demand. The Byron brewery is well worth a visit to taste their range of delightful beers and also a bite to eat.
To get to the brewery, you might be able to snag an Uber, or the train if you really want to enjoy the experience and taste the beers on offer. There’s plenty more info on the Stone & Wood website, jump on and take a look and enjoy an iconic Byron beer.
For any inquiries you can email them at tours@stoneandwood.com.au or call 0429 060 262.
The Farm
The Farm, Byron Bay was opened a few years back by 3 chefs known as The 3 Blue Ducks. There is an amazing restaurant with and an impressive kitchen where you can watch all of the action going on. The food and drink is amazing, whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. It can be as simple as a coffee and pastry for breakfast as you drive by, or a long memorable meal with friends and family. There’s a wall completely covered in beer taps, showcasing numerous tasty offerings. If you’re going for a long lunch or dinner, you’ll wish you’d booked a driver once you get there.
They have a great philosophy around farm to plate, education and giving back to humanity. There are workshops available and you can also have a walk around, enjoy the sunflowers, crack some macadamias and say g’day to the chickens and cows. The farm is somewhere that should definitely be on the list if you’re visiting Byron.
Arts & Industrial Estate
The Byron Bay arts and industrial estate is easy to pass by if you don’t know it’s there. Over the years, it has morphed and become a melting pot of hidden gems that provide a great experience for people visiting Byron. You’ll find healthy cafes, yoga studios, hair salons, boutique stores, art galleries, breweries and a range of other interesting retail outlets.
If you’re looking for a new surfboard, there are also shapers and some larger surf outlets to be found in the area. The estate in on the way out to The Farm, so if you’re looking for a couple of activities to enjoy in a single day, it can make sense to visit both.
Top Shop Byron Bay
Well worth a visit, The Top Shop is a hidden gem that has grown in popularity since opening. This is because the food and drinks are delicious and the friendly vibe is great. Try the amazing Breakfast Burger (Egg, bacon, cheese, avocado, hash brown and salsa) + a smoothie and some of the best coffee in the shire.
The hard part is trying not to order too much. It does get busy, so pick your timing, order a feast and kick back….perfect if you’ve had a big night prior. They’ve also got a hole in the wall for coffee orders, handy on the way to Tallows Beach for a morning swim.
The Hinterland
Head into the hinterland and soak up some of Australia’s most beautiful countryside. Leaving Byron, it isn’t long before you’re ascending into lush green hills. Local farms dot the landscape, producing Macadamias, stone fruit, tomatoes and other local produce. From the top of the first range, you can look back and see the entire bay. There are some great spots to take scenic photos.
There’s a number of popular destinations when it comes to the hinterland. Some people venture out to Nimbin for the cultural experience, or you can head further North up to Mt Warning. There’s a great walk up Mt Warning, taking you to the summit where you’ll find breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Tweed Valley and beyond. Make sure to start early if you’re climbing, it’s a 3-6 hour round trip depending on your speed and how long to spend at the top. The last section is a steep ascent with ropes and rocks, it’s not for the faint hearted but the view is worth the effort.
Another popular location a little closer to Byron is the town of Bangalow. The main highway went through the town many years ago before being diverted. While the traffic has slowed, the town has a rich heritage of entertaining passing travellers. The main street offers craft shops, art galleries and other retailers worth checking out. There are some great Cafes and the Bangalow Hotel is well known for delicious food and cold tap beers.
We specialise in luxury transfers to Tweed Coast & Byron Bay resorts.
