Byron Bay, NSW
The unique blend of eclectic spirit, laid-back beach life and vibrant bars & restaurants make this coastal beauty a must visit.
Where To Stay In Byron Bay
Reflections Byron Bay is one of the best situated Holiday Parks in Australia with absolute beach frontage but still a comfortable 10 minute walk to the Byron town centre. There’s a range of accommodation options to suit all needs, from Powered and Unpowered Sites through to Glamping, Villas and Tiny Homes. Note that due to the premium location, sites here are more expensive than your average Holiday Park.
Where To Eat & Drink In Byron Bay
There’s a thriving food and beverage scene in Byron and whatever you’re after, there’s no shortage of options. To get the day started, head to Bay Leaf Cafe if you’re after a sit down breakfast or if you're feeling like something more casual then Top Shop is the spot for a takeaway coffee and sandwich pre-beach. A trip to Byron would not be complete without visiting the sprawling beer garden of the Beach Hotel at least once and enjoying the view with an ice cold drink in hand. Just down the road from the Beach Hotel you’ll find The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. tucked away on a balcony serving up fresh seafood, great cocktails (try the Spiked Agua Fresca - a delicious blend of Don Julio Reposado, Watermelon & Mint Shrub, Lime and Agave) and of course, oysters. Miss Margarita is one of our favourite spots for casual Mexican food, there’s a great atmosphere here and your little ones will be well looked after with a delicious kids menu on offer that turns into a colouring page with pencils provided. When it comes to great takeaway options, Bay Kebabs has a cult following or if you’re after fish and chips, Fishheads is our pick.
What To Do In Byron Bay
This is an area all about beaches and there’s plenty to choose from, whether you’re keen to surf or swim. Byron Bay Main Beach and Clarke’s Beach both have a bit of everything, if you’re keen specifically to surf then we recommend a short drive up to The Pass, and for those who want to take in the most picturesque water in the area, head to Wategos Beach which is ideal for families thanks to it’s protected waters. For a different sort of Swim, Killen Falls located in the Byron Hinterland is well worth a visit. You’ll find a beautiful swimming hole surrounded by lush rainforest with a 10 metre waterfall feeding into it. When you’re keen to get the heart pumping on dry land, then we recommend the walk up to the Lighthouse which is highlighted by beautiful views over the ocean.
The Essentials
Byron has all you need with multiple pharmacies and supermarkets as well as a wide range of independent local stores selling interesting produce and provisions. For camping gear, Byron Bay Camping & Disposals should have what you need but if not, it's a short 15 minute drive to the BCF in Ballina.
The Drive
As always, we give you the rundown on the drive you’ll take from the three closest capital cities.
From Brisbane - At 164 km straight down the M1, you’ll arrive in less than two hours.
From Sydney - A 766 km trip straight up the coast comes to roughly eight hours driving time in total. North Haven is a lovely, quiet little town to stay in for a night or two along the way, or if you’re after just a lunch stop then Port Macquarie has all that you’ll need.
From Melbourne - A significant journey at 1,625 km and just under 17 hours drive time, this isn’t one you want to try and rush through. We recommend spreading it out over 3 days driving with two stops in between. On our last trip from Melbourne we stopped in Yass and then Forster for a night each before continuing on to Byron which made for three almost equal trips at just under 6 hours each.
