Byron Bay

A surf town at the easternmost point of mainland Australia, with the Cape Byron lighthouse walk, dolphins and whales, and World Heritage rainforest waterfalls and hippie villages in the hinterland.

Byron Bay is in the Northern Rivers region at the far north of New South Wales, and Cape Byron is the easternmost point of mainland Australia. The town has only about 10,000 permanent residents, yet it is one of Australia's best-known beach destinations, famous for its surf, hippie and wellness culture. The climate is subtropical and mild year-round: summer (Dec–Feb) is hot and rainy, with the busiest beaches and highest accommodation prices; autumn (Mar–May) still has warm water and fewer crowds, with the Bluesfest music festival at Easter; June–Nov is the humpback whale migration season, and winter days are around 20°C, ideal for hiking and whale watching. There are three main areas: first, Cape Byron — the lighthouse, the mainland's easternmost point and the coastal loop walk linking Wategos, The Pass, Clarkes and Main Beach, with snorkeling and diving at Julian Rocks offshore; second, the town center's cafés and markets, plus the long beaches of Tallow to the south and Belongil to the north; third, the hinterland — the old village of Bangalow, the World Heritage Nightcap rainforest with Minyon Falls and Protestors Falls, the hippie village of Nimbin, and the Tweed Valley to the north. Getting there: the nearest airport is Ballina Byron Gateway (about 30 minutes), with Gold Coast Airport about 50 minutes and Brisbane about 2 hours away, all with shuttle buses; the town is walkable, but buses to the hinterland are scarce, so renting a car is recommended. Allow 3–4 days. Note: many beaches other than Main Beach are unpatrolled, so always swim between the red and yellow flags; book accommodation months ahead for peak season and festivals, and expect high parking fees.

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Itineraries