Cape Byron on the far north coast of New South Wales overlooks a wild and stunning ocean and a bevy of beautiful Byron Bay beaches.
Bryon Bay History
Known as the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, the Cape now crowned by a vivid white lighthouse was discovered by Captain James Cook back in May 1770. He named it after “Admiral John Byron” but the local aboriginal people use the traditional name of Cavvanbah – Meeting Place.
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Byron Bay Surf Culture
Today Byron is a different kind of meeting place with a thriving surf culture (The Pass, Wategos, and Cosy Corner breaks), the hippy culture of the hinterland (Aquarius Festival at Nimbin 1973) and the tribe of celebrities who fly in to spend time at luxurious homes in The Bay.
Byron back in ’88 was a great place to site with our then 8 month old daughter in a free and easy grassed courtyard, chilling with a beer and some good music. This time around daughter, now a vegan hippy 32 year old yoga instructor has flown the nest. Circumstances change and some things are new. Or are they?
What is new in Bryon Bay?
Byron Bay Paid Parking is new.
Once the parking at Byron was as free as the hippy’s that lingered on the beach, but Byron Bay Council have now embraced paid parking big time.
On 23rd December, 2015, Byron Shire Council (parking map on site) went from charging zero dollars to $3 per hour for the privilege of parking the Kombi down town and beachside. It’s enough to make a person down another Stone and Wood. *
What’s the same in Byron?
Although a lot more people now visit Byron, it still has that small country town feel about it. The atmosphere is chilled and the spacious beaches manage to absorb the crowds and still have space for more.
This of course applies to any time outside of peak holiday times and music festival times.
Peak Season Warning. It can take 20 minutes to travel 5km along the Ewingsdale Road connecting Byron to the Pacific Highway.
In late April the traffic was free flowing.
Byron Bay Tourist Attractions
The 1.7 million people who enjoy Byron Bay tourist attractions every year – mostly in summer – are well catered for at the Byron Bay Information Centre.
Address: Old Stationmaster’s Cottage, 80 Jonson Street, Byron Bay.
There are luggage storage facilities available at the Tourist Information Centre.
Staff will help you plan your time in Byron, whether it be for a few hours or much more.
Having purchased sunscreen at the Woolworths Supermarket in Jonson Street, we stopped in at the Byron Tourist Information Centre.
The helpful employee asked if we were up for a walk and before long we’d committed to a walk along Ocean Way as far as the lighthouse.
Ocean Way has spectacular views over the beach but we put our own spin on things and opted for a walk along Main Beach, Clarkes Beach and Wategos Beach.
I prefer the beach over a hill climb any day. The only hitch was having reached “The Pass”, we then needed to climb the hill via the road anyway. Sigh…
Scenes around town.
High Voltage on the way to Main Beach.
Reflective window shopping on the way back from Main Beach.
Byron Bay Coffee and Byron Bay Music Festivals
Across the street from the Tourist Info Centre is Byron Corner Store, laying claim to the cheapest and best coffee in town, including free wifi.
The coffee was excellent and through the open bifold windows, was a close up view of the snaking line for local’s tickets to Splendour in the Grass on sale at the pub across the street.
Byron is also home to the annual Byron Bay Bluesfest and The Falls Music and Art Festival.
Bryon Bay Itinerary
Main Beach Bryon Bay
In the Morning.
And in the Afternoon.
Byron Bay Food
Food in Byron runs the full gammut from ethically sustainable to decadent, but on a walk from Main Beach to the Lighthouse the Pass Cafe is a very handy choice.
Think bush, beach and deck, situated on a rise adjacent to the iconic Pass Surf Break. A sample from the cafe menu (fully licensed) – Yakitori Japanese Chicken Burger or a Wagyu Beef Burger will both set you back $14 or a small potato chips $5. Perfect beach food.
The Pass Byron Bay
Climb the steps to the platform to watch the long peeling right handers.
Hang Gliding from Byron Bay Cliffs
Hang gliding.
Look south to Tallow Beach – find the hang-glider!
Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe or Cape Cafe
An impressive place to grab a drink and maybe something to eat. Dining with a fabulous view.
Cape Byron Walking Track in Cape Byron Headland Reserve
Return to town from Cape Cafe on the Cape Byron Walking Track from the most easterly point of Australia. This is a spectacular walk and a great way to enjoy the beaches in reverse and enjoy a Byron Bay sunset.
Wategos Byron Bay
Talk about iconic beaches. This is Wategos in the morning from The Pass.
Wategos Beach from the Headland Reserve in the afternoon.
Back in Byron township…
Beach Hotel Byron Bay
The Beach or Top Pub, with views toward Main Beach, was the venue for my first taste of a Stone and Wood brew*. I’m usually a super light lager drinker, so my first mid-strength Hoppy Beer off the tap was quite the revelation.
I was smitten and although it was probably just a holiday romance, I lined up for another.
As you would expect Beach Hotel has compostable straws and recycled cups with recycling growing from 10% to 90% in only 4 years. This is a true beach hotel adapted to it’s audience. Open from 8 am for coffee and brekkie it changes along with the day. It is great for an after beach beer and a classic pub lunch.
The band played old rock all afternoon during our visit with a different band scheduled that night. You can see their Gig Guide on Line.
Security was beefing up when we left late in the afternoon.
Stone and Wood Brewery Tour plus more!
Stone and Wood Brewery is right here in Byron. Try a Tasting paddle for $10 or a tour for $12. Or for a more in depth 4 hour tour taking in two breweries and a distillery, beginning at 2 pm. I.D. required.
Byron Bay Yoga
Byron is a popular Yoga destination with something for everyone, from Luxury Resort Yoga Retreats to classes at the local Community Hall.
Ananta Yoga even has Surf Flow yoga classes that concentrate on keeping the body in peak condition for surfing – why am I not surprised?
I personally dropped in at Byron Yoga Centre on Skinners Shoot Road for a 90 minute $10 yoga lesson, led by their Yoga Teacher Trainees (under supervision). Started in 1988 Byron Yoga is one of the top yoga schools in the Australia. The Skinners Shoot Road campus keeps organic vegetable gardens to cater for their healthy eating yoga retreats.
Our (8 month old) baby revisiting Byron. Taken at Byron Yoga where she achieved her Yoga teaching qualification.
Byron Bay Markets
Where the hippy culture survives you can be sure the markets will be pretty interesting. Byron’s Community Market is held on the first Sunday of the month with the Farmer’s Market on Thursday mornings. Remember that only 20 minutes to the north is Mullum’s Community Market held on the 3rd Saturday of the Month.
Mullum one of the Byron Bay Regional markets.
One market I have earmarked for next time is The Channon Market on the second Sunday of the Month.
Where to Stay in Byron Bay
Ferry Crossing Caravan Park Brunswick Heads
Think outside the square. Twenty minutes to the north of Byron is the Ferry Crossing Caravan Park on the river and highway at Brunswick Heads. In late April prices there were less than half that of the caravan parks at Byron. We enjoyed visiting Byron for part of the day and then browsing the second hand shops and cafes at Brunswick Heads before heading back to Ferry Crossing.
The cost to park a van in a riverfront position at Ferry Crossing in November is $92 for two nights.
An Airbnb Room in Byron Bay
A search of Airbnb showed this room in a Byron Bay House for $99AUD/night for two people.
How to get to Byron Bay
Sydney to Byron Bay by Road
Byron is 772 km north of the State Capital of Sydney, but only 165 km south of Queensland’s Capital of Brisbane.
Brisbane to Byron Bay by Road
The Brisbane2Byron Express bus connects Brisbane and Byron
Brisbane City to Byron – $42 one way – 2 hours $84 return
Brisbane Airport to Byron – $58 one way – 3 hours $116 return
Flying to Byron Bay
Jetstar and Virgin budget airlines fly into Ballina, 30km to the south (allow 40 minutes for shuttle)
Add a link to your travel post at the link up below. I am co-hosting Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday with Ruth from Tanama Tales and Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations.
Plitvice Lakes Destination Guide
Oh my goodness, I loved your photos in this one! Those beach shots took my breath away. Got a good laugh out of the paid parking as that is always a big brouhaha in our town of Kirkland as well. You want people to come to town and shop and be entertained but then you charge them to do so. . .sigh. . .
Yes it is a Catch 22 Jackie. 🙂
Byron Bay looks like a wonderful spot to spend a few hours or several days.
Oh yes. Know that we’ve had another taste of Byron, we will be back!
What a wonderful wrap up of Byron. You nailed it! I love to do all of the forementioned things in Byron, which is a particular favourite of mine. One more thing I like to do is go to The Farm. I love the rustic vibe of this place and the food is very down to earth (mostly vegan).
We saw The Farm and it always had loads of cars in the car park, but I didn’t realize it was somewhere that you could eat!
Whoa! Mind blowing pics. The beaches are so dream like! Byron seems to be having all ingredients for a fantastic holiday! 🙂
Happy #TPT!
Byron Bay is a beautiful location for a beach holiday and is very popular Indrani. 🙂
I’m not quite sure what it is about a surfing town or surf culture that I love but I just do! Byron Bay looks delightful and I would love to visit it someday!
I feel the same Jill and it is hard to pin-point the reason. Sun Surf and Sand is a good starting place though. 🙂
I’m surprised parking was free before, especially with the amount of people who seem to flock there in summer. So is the new fare for the day or part of it? Even so, to go from zero to 3 is a lot. I’m sure people will be up in arms but in a few years, then they’ll forget – there’s just too much beauty and variety here to let the fare stand in their way. (I’m sure that’s what the council is banking on. By NY standards, $3 parking is a gift. Lol!)
$3 per hour and you are correct Marcia, people will soon forget!
Beautiful photos Jan and so many new ideas for us. Would love to come back and explore Byron some more soon
I love Byron Bay. Although it gets a lot of visitors it is still a little country town at heart.
Beautiful – but what really gets me looking at the photos is how similar the coastline is with the Cape region of South Africa (which we absolutely loved). If you had told me it was South Africa I would have believed you.
Frank (bbqboy)
I didn’t know that the coast looked like South Africa. I’ve heard how beautiful S.Africa is though so I’m not surprised.
I feel kind of in love with Byron Bay. What a gorgeous place! Feels like you can explore and beach hop during the day and spend the evening walking around the cool places in town. I would love to visit.
I am too Ruth. It is just a small country town that gets a lot of visitors. The beaches are divine and I would like to explore the cool places in town too.
Hi Jan! Looks and sounds like a fun town to visit. Always love a white sand beach, and I’ll have a beer :). From zero to 3 bucks an hour to park is a big hit in the pocket. I can understand why people are grumbling. Thanks so much for co-hosting this week. I’m proud of myself for posting on time! 🙂 #TPThursday
I was just about to go to bed on Thursday night and thought I’d check my emails and was impressed to see your link already there. Cheers! Things must be settling down a little for you?
I was one of those 1.7 million tourists in the summer of 2015. It took us an hour to get in from the highway because there was a music festival going on. We’re going back in winter because it was lovely despite the crowds. It’s quite dog friendly too which is a plus.
Oh I feel for you Pinky. Maybe I should put a warning message on the post not to go there at festival time unless you’re going to the festival of course. 🙂
Ahh Byron. I have had a few holidays here and all of them a little different. You really brought the place into my grey London skies life today! Most welcome. The art scene was thriving last time we visited. Did you make it to David Bromley’s gallery/store? I also like cruising around the hinterland and exploring the rainforest. You made me laugh about the parking!
We cruised around the hinterland and loved it! No I didn’t go to David Bromley’s. I’ll look it up and see what it is about for next time. Enjoy London!
The coastline is stunning, great photos! $3 per hour for parking? Wow, that’s pretty steep. Are there other options? #wkendtravelinspiration
There is free parking further away from downtown and the beach, so you can park for free and walk. 🙂
i like beach destinations that have more than just beach going for them. Byron seems to have a lot going on both on and off the sand. i think i would like it.
The family visited Byron Bay back in 2010 and it was very popular. The hippie culture was quite evident. Your photos brought back memories.
The beaches in Australia are stunning! It’s quite a while ago that you were there with your 8 month old daughter. My daughter was 1 y old at that time – three kids followed later. Now they stayed in the nest and I flew out 😉
Our daughter only recently left the nest, but our son flew years ago. It is true Australia does have stunning beaches!
This looks like such a cool town! I love the beaches, street art and all the eateries you introduced us to. How wonderful to see your daughter in this post and I love the connection as an 8 month old baby.
Thanks Mary. I liked the connection between her as an 8 month old and a nearly 30 year old.
Great beaches. Great everything! I really want to go to Australia someday. But where to begin?
I feel the same way about the USA! Depending on time constraints and where you were to land, I’d either explore Western Australia (if you land in Perth) or land in Sydney and explore around there and move on to the Gold/Sunshine Coast, Cairns (for the Great Barrier Reef) and add a flight from either Sydney or Brisbane to Alice Springs to visit Uluru (Ayers Rock). If you decide to visit Australia Y Travel Blog have a lot of Aussie Travel Tips.