Byron Bay, New South Wales
Guide to Byron Bay
A mecca of sand, sun and serenity, Byron Bay stays true to its hippie roots while embracing a new wave of restaurants, luxury hotels and craft breweries.
Must-do experiences
- Lighthouse views: Watch the sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean.
- Surf culture: Discover Byron's surf culture with a lesson, or simply relax on golden stretches of sand.
- Wellness retreats: Indulge in Byron Bay's wellness culture at pilates studios, beachfront yoga sessions and nature retreats.
- Whale watching: Hop on a whale watching cruise between May and November to watch migrating whales breach and slap their tails.
- Foodie scene: Stop for a bite at local cafés, restaurants and The Farm – a working farm in the hills of Byron.
Byron Bay is around an 80-minute drive from the nearest major city, Gold Coast, and is serviced by a regional airport at Ballina, around a 30-minute drive to the south.
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) is 35km (22mi) from Byron Bay and services domestic arrivals
- Gold Coast Airport (OOL) is 66km (41mi) from Byron Bay and services international and domestic arrivals
- Hire cars and shuttle services are available from both airports
- Hire cars are also available in Byron Bay
You can explore Byron Bay town by bicycle, but to venture further you’ll need to hire a car.
An iconic beach destination, Byron Bay is a great place to holiday at any time of the year. The spring months are warm and relatively dry, so you may want to time your visit before the busy summer holiday season. Come in autumn and you'll still enjoy good beach weather. The best surfing conditions generally occur in winter.
- High season: Spring and summer (September to February)
- Low season: Winter (June to August)
- Don’t miss: The line-up of music, art and food festivals that happen year-round
