48 hours in Byron Bay: The ultimate 2-day itinerary

Day 1 in Byron Bay

Morning – Cafe culture and market finds

Let's start with some logistics. Due to the swathes of National Park surrounding it and its relative isolation from the rest of the Northern Rivers region, you'll need to allow some time to get to Byron.

Whether you're flying in to Ballina airport, catching a train to Casino (each requiring a bus for the rest of the way), or simply driving from up or down the coast, a mid-morning arrival is an absolute best case scenario – but it's also a good option to arrive the night before to start your first day nice and early.

First on your to-do list should be grabbing some coffee and/or breakfast in town and getting your bearings. Byron is famous for its culinary delights, and while some of the more up-market cafes can be pricey, you can expect to find some pretty delicious and unique fare for all budgets, including plenty of vegan and gluten free options. The Hum on Bay St is a favourite spot facing the beach.

Stopping off at one of Byron's most popular cafes – Image: Destination NSW

If it's the weekend, check out one of the region's monthly markets where you can shop for eclectic locally made goods. Brunswick Heads Markets and Mullumbimby Community Market are on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of the month respectively, and on Sundays, Byron Bay Markets (1^st Sunday as well as 3^rd in Dec/Jan), Uki Buttery Bazaar (3^rd Sunday), Bangalow Market or Nimbin Markets (Both 4^th Sunday) are all terrific places to browse and shop a day away.

Not in town on a market day? No worries. Byron is jam-packed full of interesting boutiques, outlets and pop-up shops selling everything from ethical fashion to organic beauty products, vintage clothing, hand-made homewares and of course surf gear.

Afternoon – Beaches and lighthouses

Surfer preparing to head out – Image: Destination NSW

With the day progressing into afternoon, grab a cheap bite to eat in town and get ready to check out some of Byron's most iconic landmarks.

First up is Main Beach – the straightforwardly-named strip of sand running parallel to Bay St. Take off your shoes and wander along it to the right – it curves around the bay before joining up with gorgeous Clarkes Beach and The Pass. Admire the surfers here fighting to catch breaks in the afternoon glow – this could be you tomorrow.

At the far corner of The Pass, stop for a moment to scale the wooden steps up to Fisherman's Lookout, where you can look back along the beach at the town. You might need to wade a little at high tide to get here, but it's worth it.

Cape Byron Lighthouse with the westerly sun hitting it

Head further around the headland along the Walgun Cape Byron walking track past picturesque and tucked away Wategos and Little Wategos Beaches until you reach the main event: Cape Byron Lighthouse. This 1901-era heritage-listed landmark lies on the easternmost tip of continental Australia is still in service as a beacon for ships via its powerful LED and 60 pieces of prismatic glass.

Keep an eye out for whales if you're visiting during the winter months – the Cape Byron Lighthouse is one of the best vantage points to spot them from. If the timing works out, stay for sunset here as well. The sun setting behind you makes for a spectacular visual as the sky lights up pink and gold over the ocean.

Note – If you're staying at YHA Byron Bay or YHA Cape Byron, you can rent a bike to skip out on some of the afternoon's walking and get around quicker.

Evening – Byron by night

The Beach Hotel Byron Bay – Image: Destination NSW

With the sun set, it's time to let your hair down and sample Byron's active nightlife. There are bars, restaurants and pubs for all budgets and vibes. The Beach Hotel one of Byron's most famous pubs and offers a great atmosphere for both locals and blow-ins, while the dancefloor at Casa Luna is your best bet for a proper nightclub experience. If you're a seafood buff on a budget, the Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. has a happy hour with half-price oysters.

If you're lucky enough for it to be Saturday night (Oct-April), stop by Byron Twilight Market at Railway Park on Johnson St for a unique evening atmosphere and a spot of sun-down shopping.

Whether you're dining on oysters and champagne or just grabbing a kebab and a few beers, there's something for everyone, and you'll hopefully end your first day in paradise feeling full and contented.

Day 2 in Byron Bay

Morning – Surf breaks and songlines 

Surf school catching beginner waves – Image: Destination NSW

For those staying with YHA Cape Byron or YHA Byron Bay, jump in on some mindful morning yoga start the day on a mindful note (activity schedules vary, so check the YHA Explorer App).

Fancy a surf? Time to find out what all the fuss is about. Byron is a surf mecca for its beginner-friendly waves and concentration of great close-together spots. Grab your preferred coffee or breakfast and head to the beach.

If it's your first time or you're a little rusty, Byron's longest running surf school, Let's Go Surfing, offers the perfect way to jump back in with lesson. If you're already experienced, you can easily hire a board locally (including from one of the YHAs) and take on your preferred spot at your own pace. The Pass/Clarkes Beach are great for all abilities, and Tallow Beach offers some more challenging breaks.

Explore Byron Bay tour with Delta Kay – Image: Destination NSW

For something more thoughtful, a hugely worthwhile thing to do in the Byron area is to learn about the history and culture of the Aboriginal people of the Bundjalung Nation. Explore Byron Bay offers tours at Walgun (Cape Byron) and nearby Bangalow and Broken Head, with Bundjalung woman Delta Kay taking you through the history, spiritual and rich cultural practices of the area and its people. Be sure to book ahead, as she is often booked up for over a month in advance.

Afternoon – Tasting paddles or... Actual paddles

Sea kayaks offshore from Cape Byron – Image: Destination NSW

Stop by town for lunch to fuel up for the rest of the day. Don't hang around too long, though – there's plenty more action to fit into the afternoon ahead.

A great way to get out on the water if you didn't go surfing in the morning (or you did, and loved it), is a kayaking tour. This will take you out past the headland and into the open water, guided by a qualified surf life saver in a sea kayak to spot wild dolphins, sea turtles, gentle zebra sharks and more. The operators even offer a guarantee – if you don't spot dolphins, you can go again for free.

Cape Byron Distillery – Image: Destination NSW

Another fun way to spend the afternoon is a visit to a local distillery or brewery. Byron is home to Lord Byron (rum) and Cape Byron (whisky/gin) distilleries, who have have tours and guided tastings available. Aussie staple Stone & Wood brewery is also nearby, and they have a limited but delicious food menu on offer as well as tours and tasting paddles. You might want to stick around into the evening or kick on to another spot for dinner – there's no shortage of great places to eat and drink in town.

Evening – Night-time escapades and moon-lit goodbyes

Provided it's a warm enough, finish the evening by grabbing some mouthwatering gelato from Bella Rosa or In The Pink (both close late) and head back to Main Beach for a stroll. Listen to the waves crashing on the beach – you're going to miss this place once you leave. If you're lucky, you'll be rewarded with the moon rise from behind the headland and silhouette the iconic shape of the Cape Byron Lighthouse. 

Want to max out on your time in the region? Skip dessert and take a night-vision tour to spot native wildlife in their rainforest environment. Much of Australia's wildlife is nocturnal, so they are most active at night and a pair of special forces-style night vision goggles make this an exhilarating way to spy on these elusive critters without disturbing them. This experience is on the pricey side, but if you have the budget, it's worth it to feel like a secret agent. 

For a budget-conscious traveller staying at YHA Cape Byron or YHA Byron Bay, it's always a great vibe to buy some meat for a barbecue by the pool and socialise with your fellow guests. It may be your last evening here, but however you spend it, you should kick back and enjoy yourself to the fullest. You'll be heading home in the morning, unless...

(Optional) Day 3 in Byron Bay

Killen Falls, Tintenbar – Image: Destination NSW

Can't get enough of Byron? There's definitely way too much to do here to fit into just 48 hours, so why not extend your visit one more day to make it an unforgettable 72-hour adventure?

If you decide to stay on for a third day, tackle some of the hinterland's best hikes in one of the region's many national parks. Fed by volcanic soil from the long-extinct Tweed Volcano, the Northern Rivers' lush areas of natural beauty are covered with subtropical rainforest and dotted with impressive waterfalls.

For walks, check out Nightcap National Park and Mount Jerusalem National Park, both under an hour's drive west of Byron's town centre and criss-crossed with beautiful and engaging walking trails. Within the bounds of Mount Jerusalem National Park, Unicorn Falls and Whiskey Creek walking tracks are relatively easy-going and popular routes, while in Nightcap National Park, the tracks to and around the spectacular Minyon Falls are your best bet.

Big on waterfalls? Check out Nightcap National Parks' delicate Protesters Falls while you're in the area, and Killen Falls is another impressive cascade further south towards Ballina. 

Read next: How to visit Byron Bay on a budget

Looking for Byron accommodation?
Look no further than eco-certified YHA Byron Bay and YHA Cape Byron