what to do in byron bay
Known by the Bundjalung as ‘The Meeting Place’, Byron Bay is located on the north coast of New South Wales. I’ve travelled to Byron Bay twice, first for a week-long girls’ trip and secondly with Steve and the boys for a weekend while we were at the Gold Coast. The main attraction for me is the unique mix of stunning beaches, great surf, lush countryside, nourishing food, cool boutiques, relaxed lifestyle and creative design community. Yes you’re holidaying at the beach, but Byron Bay offers a deeper level of experience with plenty of opportunities to treat your mind, body and soul to memorable dining, design and wellness moments.
The traditional custodians of Byron Shire were the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung nation. They recognised Byron Bay as a place of healing which contributes to its unique community of creatives today, and aboriginal places and objects are an important part of the rich heritage of Byron Shire.
Make the most of the warm and dry spring months to visit rather than peak holiday times – we were there over New Year’s and there was a daily queue to get into town. My first trip to Byron coincided with ‘Schoolies’ week when high school grads come to party for two weeks late November – also on the Avoid list!
Book a design stay
Bask & Stow luxury guesthouse showcases a mix of mid-century and modern coastal design, with light and breezy suites and design nods to the sixties including breeze block walls and sansevieria gardens. Just out of central Byron, this boutique stay is a 10-minute walk to the main dining and shopping strip.
With gorgeous interiors inspired by a mash-up of luxe New York and laidback Byron Bay, The Bower is a chic coastal stay set on 1 acre of tropical gardens with an insta-famous circular pool.
Byron Bay Luxury Homes provide an exclusive variety of high-end and luxury properties in Byron Bay - we booked one of their homes for our girls weekend and split it between six of us. They have incredible beachfront homes for a family holiday, stylish apartments for weekend getaways or picturesque hinterland properties to escape in nature.
airbnb has a great range of homes and apartments at different price points depending on your needs.
If you’re after a luxury special occasion destination for an extended family getaway Hinterland House is 120 years in the making and sits high above the village of Bangalow, set amongst 20-acres of macadamia orchards and stunning gardens.
Bask & Stow by David Taylor photography, The Bower Byron Bay pool and Studio Suite, Raes on Wategos Penthouse 1.
Hit the beach
Main Beach is adjacent to the town centre with a long sweep of golden sand, gentle waves and daily surf life saver patrols, making it ideal for families and learning to surf when the waves are small. If you follow Jonson Street to its top end you will come to Main Beach and Apex Park. To the left is Belongil Beach and a view of Mount Warning. Looking to the right is Clarkes Beach, The Pass and Cape Byron Lighthouse. Looking out to the horizon you can see Julian Rocks, a marine reserve popular with divers.
Wategos Beach is located 2km east of the Byron Bay town centre. It’s sheltered location makes it ideal for kids to swim and there’s also BBQ’s and picnic tables to cook up lunch or dinner. At the far end of the beach you can take the steps up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Take a hike
Enjoy a walk on the lands of the Bundjalung people up to the iconic lighthouse Cape Byron which is the most easterly point of mainland Australia. A good hour return through forest, grasslands and clifftops, the walk culminates with the most incredible ocean views up and down the coast – you may even spot humpback wales when they migrate during May/June and again in September/October. Go early to avoid the heat and crowds, and finish with a swim at the amazing Wategos Beach.
The Milne track via Arakwal National Park to Tallow beach and Cosy Corner is a welcome escape from the summer heat where you can swim and sit and relax.
main beach, the pass, the lighthouse walk, TALLOWS BEACH.
Shop for your home
I love the concept of Habitat – a communal village where like-minded creatives can live, work and lap up that laidback lifestyle. Five minutes out of Byron Bay in an industrial-like area, Habitat includes small fashion, wellness and homeware boutiques showcasing the best local independent brands. Check out the gorgeous rattan hanging chairs at Byron Bay Hanging Chairs, who also sell day beds, bassinets, kids beds, bar carts, tables and even mini-loungers for your dog.
Salt & Wood is a luxe lifestyle store showcasing some of the Far North Coast region’s most iconic brands. A wander through gives you the ultimate inspiration to create a textural, beach-inspired interior that makes you feel like you’re on holiday on the daily. The store features an eclectic mix of fashion, homewares, furniture and artwork designed in a contemporary yet easy-going style, with many unique one-off pieces.
Hope & May sells woven baskets, timber trays and bowls, soft waffle towels and a range of Australian fashion brands, all favouring a neutral palette with plenty of texture. Ha’Veli has an impressive range of vintage Balinese furniture including carved doors, beds and mirrors.
I discovered Tigmi Trading on Instagram and beelined it when I got to Byron to see their range of vintage Moroccan rugs, antiques sourced from around the globe and contemporary furniture.
The team at Island Luxe travel the world in search of exclusive pieces and work with numerous local artisans to create unique products including furniture and homewares. Texture is celebrated here, with every piece your touch allowing you to feel the spirit of the craftsmen who meticulously put their love and skills into each creation.
Thom Gallery features an impactful and thought-provoking collection of contemporary art from highly collectable international and local artists and sculptors. Founded by curator and artist Alex Thom, Thom Gallery also taps into their impressive list of international and local artists for an annual series of exhibitions, collectors events and artists’ talks. Art lovers will also appreciate Retrospect and Lone Goat galleries both of which are right in town.
HABITAT COLLECTIVE, SALT & WOOD, TIGMI TRADING, ISLAND LUXE, THOM GALLERY.
Shop for your wardrobe
One of my fave fashion finds in Byron Bay, Spell & The Gypsy Collective is a bohemian-style boutique featuring 200-year-old Moroccan doors, an arbour in the courtyard crafted with locally sourced timber beams, and Balinese hooks adoring the changing room walls – and then there are the clothes!
With a philosophy of less is more, St Agni produces beautiful handmade leather footwear and women’s clothes with a distinctive Mediterranean style that also reflects the enviable freedom of our laid-back Australian lifestyle.
Rowie Moore started selling handmade pieces at market stores in her hometown of Byron Bay as early as 2003, and now her brand Rowie the Label has retailers worldwide and several Australian stores including this one in Byron. I love the soft textures, dusky colours and relaxed yet flattering shapes of this creative, confident collection.
Auguste the Label’s vintage-inspired florals have a nostalgic feel, and I discovered several easy-going shirts and dresses with flattering silhouettes in cool colours like peach, terracotta, lilac and yellow.
Cult fashion and lifestyle label Nagnata’s new Byron Bay Flagship opened before I left - another a great reason to go back! I love the elevated street style of their sculptural and textural sustainably-made pieces.
SPELL & THE GYPSY COLLECTIVE, st agni, rowie the label, Auguste The Label, Nagnata.
Do a day trip
Take a drive into Byron Shire – the lush green hinterland (meaning ‘the land behind’). I loved the little village of Newrybar – a historic town founded in the 1880s with one street of charming houses, cafes and shops. Stop at Newrybar Merchants to shop the wares of a collective of local artisans and try the seasonal menu at the ever-popular Harvest. If you’ve got time book a pamper session at the award-winning Gaia Retreat and Spa set on 20 acres of countryside, started by the late Olivia Newton-John. Keep driving the gently winding roads, hike to Minyon Falls or find a peaceful swimming hole for a fresh dip.
Stop at the picturesque town of Bangalow – a 20-minute drive from Byron Bay – and spend a morning exploring stores including Bisque Traders and Our Corner Store for homewares. The surrounding fields are used to grow coffee which you can try at Zentveld's Coffee Farm and Roastery or Butcher Baker Bangalow. In the afternoon head to Common People, a craft brewery owned and operated by locals. September’s Sample Food Festival has food stalls pop-up bars and cooking masterclasses.
Pamper yourself
Specialising in divine treatments using small batch Australian botanicals, Little Company has a divine facial treatment menu. Comma is the perfect spot for a restorative massage and like the name suggests the aim is to stop, breathe and find stillness before you re-enter the world again.
Rejoice, there’s another great reason to visit Raes! The Raes on Wategos Spa indulgence treatment is designed for the ultimate head-to toe-relaxation, and the gorgeous interior is reminiscent of a classically tiled Moroccan bath house.
image via little company.
Go out to eat
We got our daily coffee fix at Top Shop Café, a laid-back spot that’s great for pastries and people-watching. Bayleaf café is also a local fave that serves up great takeaway salads.
The Beach has views overlooking Byron Bay’s Julian Rocks, Clarkes Beach and The Pass, and is open for breakfast, long lunches, sunset drinks, dinner under the stars as well as takeaway food and drinks.
With the feel of a relaxed, bohemian hangout, Folk is popular with the locals for coffee, brunch and an alfresco bite. Get there early to grab the covered nook or relax around one of the outdoor picnic tables. Try a seasonal ‘nourishing bowl’ at Combi, a beach shack cafe on Main Beach, or head out of town to The Roadhouse for their potato rosti with avocado, chilli jam and vine tomatoes.
The farm-to-table fare at Three Blue Ducks at The Farm is a must-try and you can also meet the animals – take the car and explore the countryside after brunch. Take a morning to pick up a croissant and a coffee from Suffolk Bakery and watch the epic waves at Broken Head Beach.
We loved long lunching at Balcony Bar & Oyster Co., with its leafy plantation-style interior and upmarket pub menu and fresh oysters on offer.
If you’re celebrating something special book a table at the tiny Fleet for a more fine-dining vibe north of Bryon in Brunswick Heads. Or reserve the front corner table at Rae’s on Wategos – the 50 seat al fresco dining room overlooking Wategos Beach has a reputation as one of the best restaurants in the Byron region. If the restaurant is busy have a drink at the cellar bar – it’s worth it just to check out the floor alone!
Stone & Wood’s craft brewery is a great spot for a casual afternoon of craft beers, tasting paddles and platters, then head to The Mez Club for mezze and a nightcap. Barrio means “neighbourhood” in Spanish and serves up flavoursome dishes from the Argentinian wood-fired oven and charcoal grill. Or book a tour at Cape Byron Distillery, taste their range of gins and hang out amongst the Macadamia orchard and regenerated rainforest.
Head to the Thursday morning Farmer’s Markets for organic, seasonal produce. Grab a coffee, meet the growers and fill a bag with delicious and nutritious eats.
