48 Hours in… Cape Byron Edition

Travelling and holiday time is for enjoying, NOT for hunting the fundamentals of a great day… so it’s always handy to have a few fun recommendations up your sleeve.

Visiting Cape Byron provides the perfect excuse to stay at Cape Byron YHA, just 200 metres from the beach and cycle trails. With inviting common areas surrounding a big heated pool and BBQ area, it’s easy to meet people and take advantage of everything Byron Bay has to offer up.

We've come to the conclusion that Cape Byron is SAH TOTALLY COOL – and you’ll definitely think the same after following our 48hr guide! 

Get amongst the hipster crowd

Cape Byron Sunrise Surfing

Tallows Beach Byron Bay

  • Watch the sunrise and sunset: If you’re at the beach during a Byron Bay sunrise or sunset, the atmosphere is amazingly festive as locals and tourists turn up to witness the beauty. 

  • Take a day trip to Nimbin: Absolutely oozing Woodstock vibes – a day trip to Nimbin is perfect for anyone wanting to explore the Byron Bay surrounds. The tour departs daily on the rainbow bus. Book your trip at YHA reception for as little as $65, including return transport to Nimbin, waterfall national park entry, a guided rainforest walk, a country pub BBQ lunch and a dinner voucher for Cheeky Monkeys.

  • Visit the Byron Markets: Truly get amongst the Byron vibes and visit a local market, there’s a different Sunday market happening each week (so you definitely won’t miss out) alternating between the four local parks.

    • Byron Bay Markets take place on the 1st Sunday of the month at Butler St Reserve.
    • Channon Markets take place on the 2nd Sunday of the month at The Channon.
    • Mullumbimby Markets take place on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Summers Park.
    • Bungalow Markets take place on the 4th Sunday of the month in the Showgrounds.

 

'That’s so Byron' activities!

Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk

Cape Byron Lighthouse

  • Book a Byron Bay surf lesson: Byron Bay is the ultimate surfing destination in Australia! If you don’t believe us, just ask Australian superstar and Byron Bay local Chris Hemsworth! These lessons are ideal for absolute beginners with $60 3.5 hour lessons in a small group, giving the instructors plenty of time to help aspiring stars. We’ve also got you covered with surfboards, wetsuits, rash shirts and sunscreen all provided.

  • Walk to the Byron Lighthouse: The lighthouse walk around Cape Byron will be the easiest, most iconic track you walk. Hiking to the top of the hill will give you the best views, and if you follow the entire track you’ll see Fisherman’s Lookout, Wategos Beach, Little Wategos Track, Tallow Ridge Track and (of course) the lighthouse!

  • Rent a bike: Head on down to Cape Byron YHA and rent a bike from the front desk so you can explore beautiful Byron Bay even faster! With a range of bike tracks to choose from, whether you’re after a challenging mountain track or a casual CBD bike ride, Byron has you covered. We’d highly recommend cycling into the centre of town to grab a quick coffee, have a beach swim, and check out the local shops.

 

Byron Eats

Bayleaf Cafe Byron Bay

Bayleaf Cafe Byron Bay

  • Breakfast: Bayleaf Café Byron Bay is just 4 minutes’ walk from Cape Byron YHA and is the hottest spot in town for breakfast, lunch and BRUNCH (possibly all three)! Boasting house-roasted coffee beans, organic and locally sourced produce, and a menu frothing words like almond milk, matcha, kale, raw broccoli and buckwheat seeds (you get the vibe).

  • Lunch: Literally across the street from Cape Byron YHA, Espressohead Cafe is your typical local hangout. Apparently serving “the best coffee in Byron Bay” the nifty little location offers a new coffee bean flavour each month as well as homemade coconut milk. We suggest stopping by when you first arrive to get that quick coffee fix.

  • Dinner: Just a short walk down the street from Cape Byron YHA, Cheeky Monkey’s Restaurant and Bar is the ultimate Byron Bay backpacker’s experience. Cheeky’s keep the party cranking all week with Byron Bay’s best DJs, home-style meals and of course every night has a different theme. Know you’re getting bang for your buck with a cheap feed, whether that be a burger, classic parma or bowl of chips! HINT: if you’re staying at any hostel or camping ground whilst in Byron, you’ll get $5 off all main meals and burgers, before partying the night away!

You won’t be bored in Cape Byron! So take our advice and have a killer weekend.

Bayleaf Cafe image credit: @shakiralambell

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    YHA Cape Byron (Byron Bay)
    YHA Cape Byron (Byron Bay)
    Just blocks from the beach, this laid-back oasis attracts a diverse crowd of global backpackers. Come for the surf, stay for the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

YHA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to the elders, past and present, and the extended Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We recognise their custodianship of the land, sea, & water for over 60,000 years.

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