The best of Byron Bay

A must-visit on the Australia travel to-do list, Byron Bay is a picturesque beachside town located on the north coast of NSW. Just 40 minutes from the Gold Coast, if you like driving holidays this is the perfect spot to head with a car so you can drive around and take in the beautiful landscape. If you'd prefer to fly, though, Ballina is home to the local airport, otherwise Coolangatta is located on the neighbouring Gold Coast.

Offering beaches, hinterlands and national parks, the town is known for its surf, warm weather and well preserved natural landscapes making it a favoured destination for those who love the great outdoors. Here’s a list of the must-do things to do when in Byron.

To-do list
With inimitable expansive beaches, it's one of the most famous surfing towns in Australia. But if working on your tan doesn't grab you, the main town offer a range of experiences – there are surfing lessons, surf tours of the local area, bush walking, cruises, fishing, canoeing and more. Byron Shire offers plenty of other water activities including kayaking tours, eco cruises, scuba diving and snorkel trips. Nearby, there are also things like horse rides along the beach.

If action-packed activities are not your thing, you may want to take a long, invigorating walk in the hinterland, or indulge in the bohemian vibe of the town by taking an art class or by visiting Crystal Castle, a unique gardens in the Byron hinterlands specialising in all things crystal. Finally, the Byron Bay Market is held on the first Sunday of each month and offers organic produce, international cuisine and handcrafted wares. Cape Byron is the most easterly point of Australia, so this walk is highly recommended. Go all the way up to The Lighthouse to take in the majestic views of the bay. Whales are a common sighting from May to November from Byron’s most iconic attraction.

What's on
Byron is home to a range of events and festivals and they are not all just for the young crowds. The Byron Bay Spirit Festival held in February, proves popular with the free-spirited of all ages. In March, check out the Byron Bay International Film Festival held across four venues in the Northern Rivers region. Byron Bay is also home to the Bluesfest music festival, both attracting premiere Australian and international musicians and is for festivalgoers of all ages. In October, the Byron Surf Festival takes over the Byron Shire offering attendees with a glimpse of surfing’s creative heart.

Beach guide
Clarkes beach, between Main Beach and The Pass, is a popular sandy spot located near the main town. The Pass and The Wreck are popular spots for surfers. Wategos Beach offers free electric barbecues making it a favourite with families and groups while Tallow Beach is good for beach fishing.

When to go
With a sub-tropical climate, it can be quite humid during the summer months; whereas the bay is prone to rain from December to April with the humidity easing in late March. If you're partial to crisp blue skues, then winter and spring, complete with light rainfalls and a max temperature of around 20⁰C. is an ideal time for you.