Byron Bay is one of Australia’s best loved destinations. With a laid back vibe, plenty of great eateries and some of the best beaches in the country, it’s easy to see why it receives so many visitors. However, there’s more to Byron than food and beaches.
We’re always looking for hidden gems and even in one of the most written about places in the country, we still found them! As well as the icons, get ready for jaw dropping waterfalls, the world’s largest crystals, coffee straight from the farm, secret beaches, a glow worm tunnel and even somewhere you can find bioluminescent fungi!
Here are all the best things to do in Byron Bay.
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1. Swim under Minyon Falls
2. Get your zen on at the Crystal Castle
3. Marvel at Glow Worms
4. Taste the coffee at a local grower
5. Wild swimming in natural aromatherapy oils
6. Have a secluded picnic with a stunning ocean view
7. Find the locals’ favourite secret beach
8. Take in the sublime views on the Lighthouse Walk
9. Treat yourself to delicious food at the Farm
10. Spot wild koalas
11. Walk among the jungle oasis in the town
12. Spot dolphins from land or sea
13. Browse the boutiques shops and eateries of Bangalow
14. Catch a sunset from the lighthouse
15. Visit Byron’s most photographed waterfall
16. Embrace your inner hippy in Nimbin
17. Go for a relaxing beach walk
18. Hit the markets!
19. Go whale watching from the shore
20. Hunt for bioluminescent fungi
21. Try the best falafel outside the Middle East
22. Look for wild platypus
23. Snorkel with turtles
24. Hit one of Byron’s best beaches
25. Stand at Australia’s most easterly point
The best things to do in Byron Bay
1. Swim under a jaw dropping waterfall at Minyon Falls
If you love a good adventure then you can’t leave Byron without swimming at the bottom of one of the most majestic waterfalls in the whole state.
Whilst viewing Minyon Falls from the lookout is good, hiking down to the pool at the base, through pristine rainforest, is nothing short of breathtaking.
The walk would be a must do in its own right but when combined with a dip in the waterfall, or nearby jungle cascades it becomes an absolute bucket list experience.
The only time you don’t want to attempt this is during a long dry spell - we can speak from experience on that. Believe it or not, Minyon Falls can run completely dry!
There are two routes to the bottom of the falls, and we cover them both in this post.
2. Get your zen on and visit the world’s largest crystals
Crystal Castle is very Byron, but it’s more than just a place to come to view the largest crystals in the world or sit in an ancient amethyst cave. It’s the place to come for mindfulness and it’s hard not to feel something when you visit.
Walk through the Shambhala gardens stopping at the Labyrinth or the Damanhur stone spiral and you can feel yourself starting to get lost in your own thoughts. My personal favourite part was the Reflexology walk which though uncomfortable, made your feet feel amazing afterwards!
You can also join in with guided experiences which happen twice a day. I was really looking forward to the sound healing session with crystal singing bowls which was sadly cancelled due to rain - so if you’re keen on doing the guided sessions make sure you pick a sunny day.
Other than the guided sessions everything else is accessible in rain and you’ll find giant colourful umbrellas scattered throughout the gardens, with plenty to go round.
I would say that to get the most out of the experience you do need to have a leaning towards spirituality. Otherwise you might just feel like you’re paying quite a lot to walk round a pretty garden and look at some crystals.
Crystal Castle is located in the Byron Hinterland, which is around a 25 minute journey from Byron. If you don’t have your own wheels you can book a ticket with hotel pickup with Get Your Guide.
3. Marvel at Byron’s very own secret Glow Worm Tunnel
That’s right, everyone’s heard of the Lithgow Glow Worm Tunnel, but very few people know that Byron has its very own! You reach the secret abandoned tunnel by walking along a disused railway line which is surrounded by jungle.
The walk is flat and easy, and before long you’re heading into the darkness. As soon as you have switched off all light and let your eyes adjust you’ll find yourself standing under what feels like a starry night sky! It’s a wonderful experience, especially as you can go in the middle of the day.
Glow worms love the damp, so explore all the nooks and crannies and you’ll find hundreds and hundreds of them. Remember to respect them and keep them safe by not shining light on them, or making any loud noises.
Your reward will be a glow worm experience to remember and you’ll very likely have it all to yourself as there are no signposts, and it’s well off the tourist radar.
If you love the idea of seeing glow worms but don’t want to go by yourself, this very popular tour will take you to an amazing glow worm cave and more.
4. Sip coffee with a view, right from the farm
Byron is full of great cafes, but what could be better than going right to the source and having the freshest brew imaginable?
You can do just that at Zentveld's Coffee, less than a 10 minute drive from town. Order your favourite coffee and then sit back on the shady verandah and take in the view.
It’s coffee trees and macadamias as far as the eye can see and it’s such a picturesque and relaxing spot.
All the staff were really friendly and welcoming and the only thing that could have made it better would be a little tour around the farm. On that note - it could be on the cards, so it’s worth checking when you’re planning your visit. With a bit of luck you might even spot one of the resident wallabies.
At time of writing Zentveld’s is open Monday - Friday, 8-4pm.
5. Go wild swimming with natural aromatherapy oils!
It seems so perfectly in keeping with Byron that you can go wild swimming in a lake that is infused with tea tree oil from the surrounding trees!
The oils are what gives the lake it’s unique colouring and it feels incredible on your skin. Swimming here was one of my favourite experiences in all of Byron.
The water is really calm and the lake is huge, so you can go for a proper swim.
My preferred time to visit is early morning when you will get the lake all to yourself, or shared with just a few others. The peace and serenity were next level, and it’s the sort of spot you’ll struggle to leave!
Tea Tree Lake is located in Lennox Head which is around a 25 minute drive from Byron. Lennox has a fabulous beach and some great cafes if you want to make a half day of it.
6. Indulge in a secluded picnic with a view
There are lots of great picnic spots in Byron, but this one is our fave. There is a large grassy area just in front of a fantastic viewpoint and it’s just a short 650m walk to get there. The track is mostly flat so it’s not a difficult one to bring a picnic basket too.
If you’re visiting between May and October you might even spot a whale or two.
The trail is named after the Aboriginal story in which the three sisters were turned into rocky outcrops.
To get there head to the southern end of Tallow Beach and take the Three Sisters Walking Track. You’ll walk through the forest before emerging to incredible ocean views. Once you’ve enjoyed your picnic you can either head to Tallow Beach or walk 50m further along to visit the secret beach we mention next!
7. Find the Secret Beach
Byron beaches are busy, really beautiful, but often jam packed. After visiting the Three Sisters picnic spot we decided to venture further along the trail and stumbled on a gorgeous and secluded beach. There were just two people there, and that was in the busy Christmas holidays! We couldn’t believe it.
It is just a small beach and there are some rocks in the water, but there’s no denying it’s a little gem. A true oasis that feels far away from the Byron hustle and bustle.
Some people said we shouldn’t share it, but as the whole ethos for our blog since day one was to find all the best spots and share them with like minded readers, we couldn’t leave this one out. Enjoy and make sure you take all your rubbish with you!
8. Take in the sublime views along the Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk
We do this walk every time we visit Byron and it’s always a delight. The 4.5km circuit showcases many of Byron’s best beaches as well as pretty forest and of course the famous lighthouse.
You also have a very good chance of spotting dolphins along the route. We’ve seen dolphins, sharks and even turtles from the cliff tops along the stretch to the lighthouse. It’s also possible to see whales in season (May to October).
The walk is paved for much of the way and it’s relatively easy, although it does have some steep uphill sections. The most recent time we did it was in the middle of a hot day and if you do this, definitely bring your swimmers and stop at one of the many beaches to cool off.
You can read our full Byron Lighthouse Walk guide here.
9. Have a true farm to table dining experience
You hear a lot about farm to table dining nowadays and The Farm in Byron is the real deal. Their cafe and restaurant (the famed Three Blue Ducks) is on the farm grounds and after eating you can go and check out where all the food comes from.
Kids will love the ginormous pig enclosure and you can also see Scottish Highland Cattle, bee hives, veggie patches and much more.
There are also guided tours around the farm, horse riding trips and a playground.
The restaurant is raucously popular so we’d recommend making a reservation. If you can’t get in, there is also a bakery where you can grab sandwiches, coffee, cake and pastries and then head out to one of the picnic tables on the grounds, as well as a separate ice creamery.
We opted for the restaurant but came back the following day for the bakery and enjoyed that just as much!
10. Go wild koala spotting
Wild koalas are notoriously hard to spot in NSW, but the good news is that venturing just 30 minutes from Byron takes you to one of the best areas to see them in the whole state. Whilst you can see koalas in Byron itself, you have to be incredibly lucky.
Speak to any local and they’ll tell you about that one time they saw one on the Cape Byron Track or at Tallow Beach or a residential street etc etc, but there is no reliable place to look in Byron itself.
That’s why we recommend heading to Lismore where we have a 100% success rate of seeing them. There are two places that we see them and they are very close together which increases your odds.
The first is at Tucki Tucki Nature Reserve. Take a short walk around the reserve early morning or towards sunset and look both up in the trees, and down on the ground for scat.
Another great spot is the feed trees around the Lismore Koala Hospital. Wild koalas love these trees just as much as the hospital residents and we saw one having a munch within seconds of getting out the car.
If you’d like to learn more about koalas or support the very worthy work of the hospital you can take a tour too (although sadly they were not operating due to Covid during our visit).
11. Experience jungle vibes right in the town centre
Byron feels very tropical with all its incredible plants and flowers, but if you want to feel true jungle vibes then head to the Cumbebin Wetlands Boardwalk right by the town centre.
This short 150m boardwalk takes you from an innocuous residential street and within seconds transports you to a lush Paperbark forest and wetlands that feel completely wild!
It’s a beautiful, easy walk filled only with the sounds of nature. There are a couple of benches and picnic tables so you can sit and soak up the peace and tranquility.
I loved the Cumbebin Wetlands but there is one downside, the mossies, (in summer at least) so make sure you bring some repellant if visiting during the warmer months.
12. Look out for wild dolphins from sea or from land
Dolphins are abundant around Byron Bay and if you’re lucky you’ll be able to spot them from various places on land. There are several spots along the Byron Bay Lighthouse walk, including Fisherman’s Lookout, the hills either side of Wategoes Beach and around the lighthouse.
Depending on the time of day that you’re out, a good tip is to watch out for a big group of kayakers, they will be the dolphin kayak tour and will help you know where to look.
However if you want to get up close and personal with the dolphins then the best way is to actually take the kayaking with dolphins tour.
They see dolphins on 90% of the tours and if you don’t get lucky first time, you get a second trip for free. It’s on our bucket list!
13. Browse the boutiques and eateries at Bangalow
It took us a few trips to Byron before we finally stopped at the cute village of Bangalow, just a 15 minute drive away. It’s such a sweet little place and it will be a regular stop from now on!
There are lots of little boutique shops, from those selling art, to rugs, clothes, and jewelry.
There are also lots and lots of cute cafes, so many that it was hard to choose. We opted for the Butcher Baker and weren’t disappointed. You could easily spend a happy afternoon in Bangalow mooching around the shops and cafe hopping down the main street.
14. Catch a sunrise or sunset from the Lighthouse
Catching a sunrise or sunset at the famous Cape Byron Lighthouse is pretty much de rigueur. We go every time we visit and it hasn’t lost the wow factor. It’s such a fantastic view.
If you don’t mind an early start then sunrise is the best time as you can watch it rise over the ocean.
This time around we had already done a lot of sunrises and opted for sunset instead, which is also a lovely time to be there.
There is a car park right beside the lighthouse, but it’s only small, so it can be hard to snag a space (for sunset, at sunrise it’s fine) and you’ll want to allow plenty of time.
Alternatively you can walk up from town along the Cape Byron Track.
15. Visit Byron’s most photographed waterfall
If you’ve seen lots of images of the same Byron waterfall on Instagram, you’ve probably been looking at Killen Falls.
It’s a really easy access waterfall and just a 25 minute drive from the town centre. It’s less than a 1km walk to reach the base of the waterfall and you can go right the way behind the falls, or take a dip in the huge pool at the base.
It is a very popular waterfall and upgrades have been made to the walking track making it easier than ever to get there. If you’re looking for some serenity you will want to visit on a weekday. If visiting on a weekend or during school holidays only sunrise will do!
Here’s our detailed guide on what to expect at Killen Falls.
16. Embrace your inner hippy in Nimbin
The colourful town of Nimbin is not going to appeal to everyone, but it is a pretty unique place to visit. Beyond the colourful main street, it’s probably best known for its attitude to marijuana.
Despite the fact it isn’t legal to consume here you’ll find it revered all over town.
Stand long enough on a street corner and you are bound to be approached by someone offering to sell you a cookie or two.
There’s even a Hemp Embassy campaigning for its legalisation. The attached cafe feels like stepping onto a movie set - thick smog, old fashioned decor and lots of stories to be heard - whatever you do at least pop your head inside to take a look!
Unfortunately the fab museum burnt down, which was our favourite thing to do in Nimbin the first time we visited, but there are a few other places worth seeing.
The candle factory is full of colourful cauldrons which reminded me of Mr Burp’s Bubbleworks in Chessington (only Brits will get this reference!) and just a few minutes out of town you’ll find Nimbin Rocks, a sacred Aboriginal site.
Whilst you can’t get close to the rocks it is a beautiful sight, particularly on an atmospheric misty day.
17. Go for a long relaxing beach walk
If you love a good beach walk then Tallows Beach is the way to go. Not only is it absolutely beautiful but the sand is compact, so it’s really easy to walk on.
It can be busy around the sections that are close to car parks, but it’s not hard to escape the crowds as it’s over 6km long!
Walking along the sand with no need to watch your footing is great for putting you in an almost meditative state.
Parking can be difficult in the middle of the day and as the light and temperature are at their best in the early morning or late afternoon, a sunrise or sunset stroll works perfectly.
18. Hit the Markets
In most places around NSW it can be hard to get to the local markets when you’re only visiting briefly as they tend to be held monthly.
Happily that’s not the case in Byron because they have so many different markets. In our week long stay we managed to visit several.
Our fave is the Byron Bay Community Market which is huge and has such an array of stalls selling everything from incense and dream catchers to organic food and homemade clothes. It’s all very Byron and you could lose a good hour milling around and looking at all the fun things to buy.
Another great one for foodies is the Byron Farmers Market, if you have a self catering apartment while you’re in Byron then come and stock up on all the goodies. Expect everything from coffee and sourdough, to honey, macadamia nuts, avos and oysters.
There’s also a twilight market held every Saturday which sells clothes, jewelry and accessories to a backdrop of local musicians. We sadly didn’t get to visit but we’ve got it on our list for next time!
19. Go whale watching right from the shore
As with dolphins, there are a number of places you can see whales from land and one of the best is the Pat Morton Lookout. It’s a little way out of Byron, roughly a 20 minute drive, but it’s very close to Tea Tree Lake so you can easily combine the two.
The lookout is elevated and has expansive views out to sea giving you a brilliant chance of seeing Humpbacks as they pass by on their annual migration (May to October). Look for any unusual disturbance in the water and then wait to spot the whale!
This lookout is also where paragliders and hang gliders take off from, so if you’re visiting on a windy day you might also spot them. It’s fun to watch the set up and take off process and you feel very close to the action!
20. Hunt for bioluminescent fungi at Protestors Falls
Finds like this make me so happy! We first ventured to Protesters Falls during the day and were absolutely blown away by it.
Not just the giant thundering waterfall, but also the absolutely spectacular forest you walk through to get to it. We had our suspicions when we saw the setting that it might be possible glow worm habitat.
Scouting dozens of sites in the Blue Mountains had served us well because despite there being nothing online about it, we found one of the best glow worm colonies in Australia! It was like walking under a glow worm galaxy!
But equally exciting for us was the discovery of glowing mushrooms!! It’s something I’ve always wanted to see but never found before.
They glow illuminous green and are a truly magical sight. Please keep the fungi and glow worm safe by not touching them. We want to keep sharing these secrets with you!
All the details on this fairytale experience are in this post.
21. Try the best falafel outside the Middle East
There’s one place that I eat every time we go to Byron, and that’s Orgasmic Falafel. I can honestly say it’s the best falafel I’ve eaten outside the Middle East!
My top recommend is the pita pocket which comes stuffed to the brim with falafel, humus, pickles and tahini. It is absolutely delicious and I look forward to it every time we visit!
It’s the perfect lunch pitstop before you continue with an afternoon of exploring.
You can find the small shop on 11 Bay Lane, right in town.
22. Look for the elusive wild Platypus
This is one for the wildlife lovers because Platypus are known for being very shy and it’s not a guarantee you will see one. However, we can never go past the chance to look for them and we were lucky enough to spot one at the park by the Birdwing Butterfly Walk in Goonellabah, just 45 minutes outside of Byron.
We met loads of locals as we were out looking (it’s in a park rather than a wilderness experience) and they said that the chances of seeing them are generally pretty good.
We’d recommend parking at Kadina Street and then walking down the paved path to the waterhole where the creek is flowing with semi fast water and there is a platypus sign (about keeping dogs on a lead) which only takes around five minutes to get to.
If you don’t get lucky there, you can walk a little further along the path and try waiting at the small bridge. A local had seen a baby puggle the day before which would have made my day as we’ve never seen a baby before!
Around another five minutes beyond the bridge there is also a lookout, we didn’t think it looked like a great spot as there wasn’t any running water, but again locals said they see them there, so it’s definitely worth.a look!
When looking for platypus you need to go at dawn or dusk and keep very quiet. If they hear you they are less likely to surface.
23. Snorkel with turtles
We’re not usually one for tours but if there’s one trip we would have loved to have taken it’s the snorkelling with turtles trip.
The tour takes you out to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve and you have the chance to spend an hour in the water with turtles, rays, sharks, and an array of colourful fish.
All the equipment is provided and it’s just a short trip to get out to the reserve (you can see it from the shore).
If you’re really keen we’d highly recommend booking for as early in your trip as possible. The tours don’t run in anything other than good conditions, so it’s ideal if you can allow for a cancellation with time to rebook if the weather isn’t in your favour.
24. Hit one of Byron’s best beaches
We couldn’t write about Byron and not mention the gorgeous Wategoes Beach. It might be popular but it’s for good reason and it’s a lovely place to spend a few hours relaxing on the sand, or out in the surf.
There’s always a good vibe, with a mix of families playing ball games on the beach, friends out surfing together and couples picnicking.
There’s also a cafe just behind the beach if you’re in need of a little pick me up. If you don’t like to be in the thick of things then we’d recommend heading to the northern end of the beach which you will usually share with just a handful of others.
Parking can be challenging and it’s pretty expensive, but it’s only a short walk to the town centre where there is lots of additional parking.
25. Stand at Australia’s most easterly point
Cape Byron is Australia’s most easterly point and there’s a big sign to prove it. There are always a few people waiting to have their photo taken beside the sign, looking out to the vast ocean beyond.
If you do the Cape Byron Lighthouse walk you will pass this point, but if not, it’s a 300m walk (each way) from the lighthouse, where there is parking available. There’s also a nice cafe with a view at the lighthouse too.
From the lighthouse to the sign there are a couple of staircases but it’s otherwise flat and easy.
Where to stay in Byron Bay
Byron Bay is a very pricy place to stay, if it is out of your budget we’d recommend staying in the Hinterland, or Ballina. Our preference would be the beautiful hinterland, although Ballina does have lovely beaches.
Byron Springs
Byron Springs has light and airy rooms and modern bathrooms. Brekkie is included and the grounds are really pretty with lots of plants and a swimming pool. It’s a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive into Byron.
Check out the reviews and prices on: Booking.com
Lily Pad at Byron Bay - self catering option
Lily Pad is a great option if you’re looking for more space and your own full kitchen. All the decor is modern and stylish and there’s a gorgeous shady deck with BBQ for outdoor dining. It’s a 5 minute drive from Main Beach and the town centre.
Check out the reviews and prices on: Booking.com
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