Must-Do Byron Bay Experiences
Wondering about what to do in Byron Bay? The town and the area surrounding it provide many options to fill your basket with locally grown vegetables or handmade clothing. Lean back, relax and enjoy Byron Bay's vibe.
Markets
Whether you’re stocking up on fresh leaves at the Byron Bay Farmers Market on a Thursday morning, or heading out to Uki or the Channon for a market with a bohemian twist – the Byron shire is chock full of markets selling everything from hair feathers to hula hoops; beeswax candles to organic fudge. A great vibe every time - check out the full list of Byron Shire markets here.
Yoga
For a small town, Byron is overflowing with options for great yoga classes – with anything from Hatha to Ashtanga, Bikram to aerial yoga. Check out http://www.findyoga.com.au/YogaIn/ByronBay for listings or go to http://www.zenaerialyoga.com/ if you fancy indulging in floating savasana whilst hanging upside down. Namaste!
Massage
After a hard day's surfing, shopping or sightseeing, a massage is a must. Leave the hustle of Byron behind the closed doors of boutique spas such as Gaia Retreat or Sulis; or head to the home away from home, Relax Have for amazing, affordable massages complete with sauna, natural therapies like kinesiology and Reiki, or a therapeutic spell in the flotation tank – bliss!
Day Spas
Head out to Mullumbimby to visit Kiva Spa, with contoured spa pools, wood fired saunas and an oxygenated cold plunge pool in a tropical garden setting. Or book in at the secluded and beautiful
Gymea, tucked away amongst rainforest in Uki.
Fire twirling and drumming on the beach
Before the sun sets on Byron every Friday, the drummers and fire twirlers come out to play! Join in the dancing in the drumming circle, chat to new friends or stand hypnotised by the fiery trails left by the seemingly effortless poi.
Busking
Fantastic buskers abound in Byron Bay. Enjoy dinner then take in the tunes of the talented folks that keep Byron’s main streets alive with toe-tapping or even booty-shaking good tunes.
Shopping
Stock up on boardies and bathers, dreamcatchers or a Go Pro on Jonson Street, wander down Lawson Street for designer resort wear from Unplugged or Myee Carlyle or stray onto Fletcher Street for something a little more upmarket like Hope & May or 11:11, kimonos from Spell or great holiday reads from Mary Ryan’s.
Catch the sunset from the Pass & Lookout
Watching the sun set with the ocean crashing beneath you is one Byron Bay experience that you should not miss! The Pass is a perfect spot for a gentle sunny late afternoon swim.
Lighthouse Walk
Make the trek from Clarke’s Beach, The Pass or Watego’s Beach to Byron’s iconic Lighthouse built in 1901. This path is a well-worn local favourite for walking and running and a must-do experience for visitors. Look out for dolphins and enjoy panoramic views across Byron Bay to Mt Warning. Reward yourself with a coffee at the Lighthouse café.
Swimming Holes
Byron Bay’s surrounds provide myriad secluded swimming spots for a gentle paddle without all the big salty waves! From Lake Ainsworth in Lennox Heads with its healing tea tree properties to the hidden tea tree lake in Suffolk Park, there are plenty of options to lay a towel beside and take a splash.
Beaches
If there is one thing that Byron Bay is not short of, it is beaches. And dreamcatchers. But never mind those, with beaches stretching from the Wreck all the way down to Broken Head, you won’t struggle to find a isolated spot. Surf some of the country’s most famous waves, or relax in the soft sand and watch the world go by – joggers, dog walkers, wanderers and beachside yogis.
Mt Warning
Catch the sun’s rays before the rest of Australia as it hits the country’s most easterly point at this sacred indigenous place. Book an overnight trip at a nearby Bed ‘n Breakfast or camp at the foot of the mountain, dine under the stars, and then embark on a sunrise walk to the summit before dawn.
Waterfalls
Byron Bay’s surrounds are home to some stunning waterfalls, from the superstar 100m Minyon Falls to the secluded Killen Falls at Fernleigh with its watery drop from the ledge into a cool swimming hole.
Coorabell’s Scenic Drive
Take in the Coolamon Scenic Drive for stunning views across the hinterland – try to catch the aftermath of a rainstorm for an eerie quiet and its atmospheric mists. Take the drive all the way to the tiny town of Federal where you can drop in at the surprising Japanese fusion café, Doma Café. It offers great sushi, coffee and Haloumi burgers.
Learn to Surf
Byron Bay is a beacon for surfers with so many beautiful beaches and breaks to choose from. It’s the perfect place to learn to surf from the pros that make it fun and easy for you to get out there and catch your first wave. Try
Kayak with Dolphins
The crystal clear waters off Clarke’s Beach provide the perfect jumping off point to kayak out towards Julian Rocks in search of dolphins, turtles and – in season – whales. Hire a kayak here.
Skydiving
Skydive Byron Bay is the only skydive in Australia that takes you to a jaw dropping 14,000ft! Leave your stomach in the plane as you leap out above Byron Bay and hurtle towards the ground with an exhilarating 60 seconds of free-fall. Not for the faint hearted!
Circus Arts Flying Trapeze
Test your mettle with a swing on the flying trapeze in a fun and interactive lesson at Circus Arts – or go for a scramble to the top of their climbing wall.
Roadside stalls on Midgin Flat Road
Also known to some locals as ‘Fruit Salad Road’ this beautiful drive towards Harvest Café features some incredibly rich farming lands and properties that sell a wide array of produce fresh off their farm through a good ol’ fashioned honesty box system. Get beautiful citrus fruits, dragon fruit, bananas, potatoes, you name it! Some also sell local coffee and honey.
Brunswick Heads
A quaint beachside town with an iconic pub with live music Sunday afternoons and a great artisan market, Brunswick Heads shows a very different side to the region. Plenty of food options including the excellent Footbridge Café, a beach less frequented than its traffic-heavy Byron cousins, and a glassy river perfect for fishing, stand up paddle boarding or floating on an air mattress with an icy six-pack; Brunswick Heads makes a chilled out worthy distraction from the thrills and spills of Byron Bay.
Crystal Castle
Drive out past Mullumbimby into the stunning hinterland for a stroll around Crystal Castle. The enormous manicured grounds feature an awe-inspiring collection of huge crystals from all over the globe and its world famous peace stupa (Buddhist monument). Make sure you are there at 3.10pm for the free daily Peace Experience and enjoy snacks at the excellent café with a world class view.
The Mini Horse Farm
If you’ve exhausted everything that Byron Bay has to offer, you might want to go and meet some pint-sized animals at The Mini Horse Farm. Yes, it sounds bizarre, but Crystal Creek’s hour long interactive tour introduces you to some incredibly cute and friendly naturally miniature horses, cows and donkeys – as well as a family of Chihuahuas. Or if tiny animals don’t float your boat, grab some food at the Rainforest Verandah Café and feed the native fish, turtles and eels in the creek!
For more ideas on things to do and attractions in Byron Bay visit Destination NSW.