What to do
The 3.7km Cape Byron Walking Track is one of the best ways to appreciate the area’s natural beauty. The loop can be joined from numerous places, but make sure you don’t miss Wategos Beach. From there, it’s a sleep climb (or a short taxi ride) up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, where the panoramic view is likely to reveal a frolicking pod of dolphins or a migrating whale.
Rather see the resident marine life up close? Join a Dolphin Kayak Tour with Go Sea Kayaks, owned and operated by local champion surf lifesaver Kurt Tutt.
Keen to just chill out and soak up the atmosphere? Drop a line at Tallow Beach in search of bluefin tuna, whiting or bream, go for a dip at sheltered Clarke’s Beach, or simply lie back and watch the passing parade at Main Beach.
Where to explore
There are so many other amazing destinations close to Byron that a regional day trip is a must do. A 20 minute drive north is the hinterland town of Mullimbimby. Visit on a Friday and join the locals at the Farmers’ Market, or time your trip for the third Saturday of the month to catch the Mullum Markets – both feature live entertainment a range of locally made products.
Federal is a tiny village 30 minutes’ drive west of Byron and is a lovely place for a wander. Locals make the trip to dine at Japanese inspired Doma Cafe – you won’t regret ordering the tempura.
Newrybar, 20 minutes south, also has a famous cafe, Harvest. Like many restaurants in the Hinterland region, the emphasis here is on local produce. Stop in at Newrybar Merchants after lunch to browse artisan gifts and homewares. Or, if you have kids in tow, detour to the medieval styled Macadamia Castle – it’s an animal park, mini golf course, playground, cafe and more.
Further afield – about an hour’s drive west – is Nimbin, often cited as Australia’s alternative lifestyle capital. The main street is full of quirky cafes, and shops selling candles and hemp products, but there’s plenty for nature lovers, too. Admire the volcanic Nimbin Rocks, wander the World Heritage listed rainforest of Nightcap National Park and witness the waterfalls of Border Ranges National Park.
Where to stay
If you want to be at the centre of the action, Byron Bay Hotel and Apartments invites you to join them and live like a local. Just a 150m hop, skip and jump to Main Beach, and surrounded by cafes, restaurants and fashion boutiques, the stylish property offers a a range of accommodation options, including King hotel-style rooms to spacious one, two, or three bedroom apartments equipped with gourmet kitchen, dishwasher, oven, fridge, flat-screen TV’s and private balcony, and toiletries and linen provided. There’s also a pool, free WIFI and onsite hire bikes to explore town.
If you’d rather wake up to the sound of native birds, book one of the nine budget friendly self-contained cottages at Byron Bay Rainforest Resort. Three kilometres south of town, the simple one and two bedroom cottages are set in 16ha of coastal rainforest and within walking distance of Tallows Beach. The resort is pet friendly, wheelchair accessible and features a pool and communal games room.
NRMA members can also save on car hire in Byron Bay at SIXT with 15% off daily rental rates.
