48 hours in Byron Bay

Day 1 in Byron Bay

Morning – Cafe culture and market finds

Let's start with some logistics. Whether flying in to Ballina airport or driving in from up or down the coast, getting to Byron will take some time due to the swathes of National Park cutting it off from the surrounding hinterland. For this reason, we're going to assume a mid-morning arrival as a best-case scenario. If you're very clever and arrived the night before – give yourself a pat on the back.

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 the price tags are right up there with Sydney, you can expect to find some pretty delicious and original fare, 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 the day of the week aligns, consider one of the monthly regional markets full of eclectic 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 Markets or Nimbin Markets (Both 4^th Sunday) are all terrific, unique and eclectic 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 high-end fashion to organic beauty products, vintage clothing, hand-made homewares and of course surf gear.

Afternoon – Beaches and lighthouses

Surfing – Image: Destination NSW

With the day progressing into afternoon, grab a 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.

Head further around the headland along the 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 arfternoon's walking and get around quicker.

Evening – Byron by night

The drive up to Cape Byron Lighthouse – Image: Destination NSW

With the sun set, it's time to let your hair down and sample Byron's active nightlife. There are bars, restuarants and pubs for all budgets and vibes. The Beach Hotel is one of Byron's most famous pubs and offers a great atmosphere for both locals and blow-ins, while Casa Luna has a dancefloor and mediterranean-inspired share plates. If you're feeling fancy, the Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. has an oyster happy hour. 

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 or paddle

Surfing – Image: Destination NSW

If you’re 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 challanging breaks.

Explore Byron Bay tour – 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 – Choose your vibe

Sea kayaks – 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.

If you didn't go for the surfing option in the morning (or you did, and loved it), a great way to get out on the water is with 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 for free.

Cape Byron Distillery – Image: Destination NSW

Another great option 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 tastings.

Evening – 

If you stopped by a brewery or distillery for the afternoon, 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.

But for a more 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. It may be your last evening here, but however you spend it, you should kick back and enjoy yourself to the fullest.

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.