What to do in Byron Bay

Learn what to do in Byron Bay, a beach town in Australia that you won’t want to miss.

You might be tempted to spend your time in Australia visiting the major cities, but you would be missing out. Coastal towns like Byron Bay are filled with charm and natural beauty.

Byron Bay is a little beach town just two hours south of Brisbane. When I asked for recommendations for what to do in Brisbane, a few people told me to head straight to Byron Bay. When I randomly met a couple from Brisbane in Queenstown, and they told me to go to Byron Bay I listened. Their advice was spot on, I loved Byron Bay.

Getting to Byron Bay

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You can fly into Brisbane and take a bus two hours to Byron Bay, or you can fly into the smaller Gold Coast Airport and then take a bus one hour to Byron Bay.

Once you are in Byron Bay, rent a bike, it’s the best way to get around.

Where to Stay in Byron Bay

I loved this Airbnb. Downtown Byron Bay can be a bit loud and crowded so I liked staying in this quiet Airbnb a mile outside of town. The owners had a bike available for me to rent so I had no problem getting around town.

Kayak with Dolphins

This was just as fun as I had hoped. I joined a tour run by Go Sea Kayak and I highly recommend it.

The tour was about 2 1/2 hours and we kayaked from the beach, past surfers, and to a little area off the coast where dolphins and sea turtles can be found.

Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk

This walk takes you along the coast, past beaches, up cliffs, and to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. It is a bit steep in places, and I do not recommend bringing a stroller since there are lots of stairs.

The total distance is about 4km, and it is definitely something you must do while you are in Byron Bay. Once you get to the lighthouse there is a cafe where you can get snacks and ice cream.

Surf

Surfing is very popular in Byron Bay and there are a few companies that offer surf lessons.

Listen to the Buskers

Busking in encouraged in Byron Bay and at night musicians line the streets. Some of them are full bands with amps playing in little alleyways, others play in front of restaurants entertaining the people dining there. If you are in Byron Bay at night you will definitely see some buskers. You might even find yourself choosing restaurants based on which busker you want to listen to.

Relax on the Beach

There are lots of beaches to visit in Byron Bay, there are a couple of things to consider. Some have lifeguards, some don’t. The biggest thing to be aware of is the riptide that is present on some beaches. There is signage at each beach that explains these things. You want to read these signs because often they explain if there are flags to indicate the areas where a rip tide is present or to designate a section of the water for surfers.

Where to Eat in Byron Bay

Mokha

Right downtown on Lawson Street, this restaurant has a seafood-centric menu and focuses on serving fresh and uncomplicated meals.

Bryon Fresh Cafe

I went here twice because I loved it so much. The food is great – as the name suggests, it is very fresh, and there are usually musicians playing out front. Their burger was very good (it’s really hard to get a good burger abroad), and I loved their avocado toast.

The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co.

This restaurant is located on the second floor, so you could walk right past it, but it’s got cool boho meets nautical decor and you and sit on the balcony and watch the people below.