Byron Bay Travel Guide: Surfing, Beaches & Cape Byron

Aerial view of a curved sandy beach with breaking waves bordered by green coastal hills and forest.

A Weekend in Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a laidback beach town and surfers’ paradise on Australia’s far eastern coast. Surfers line up to catch consistent waves and offer beginner lessons. Sun kissed beachgoers relax along white sand shores and meet up at nightly happy hours. Colorful streets are flanked by vibey cafes, diverse restaurants, beachy boutiques and surf shops. We spent a weekend here surfing, sunbathing and enjoying the atmosphere of the coastal town.

A row of colorful surfboards lined up on a sandy beach near dunes during a group surf lesson.

Things to Do

Take Surf Lessons. There are numerous surf schools in Byron Bay. We booked a two day group lesson with Soul Surf School, shuttling between Byron Bay, Seven Mile Beach and Sharps Beach for morning surf classes. Surf boards and wet suits are included.

A vintage maroon and cream railway carriage with rounded ends parked at a platform near green trees.

Ride the Byron Solar Train. A solar powered vintage train that travels between Byron Beach and North Beach. Rides take less than 10 minutes. It operates every hour between 10am - 5pm. Tickets can be purchased in person.

Hike The Cape Byron Walking Path. A coastal walkway with scenic overlooks, forested trails, beaches and a lighthouse. Come here to watch for marine life including whales, sea turtles and dolphins. Signage shares knowledge about the landscape and its importance to the Arakwal people. The trail loops 3.7km from The Pass Parking Lot.

Beaches & Coastal Sights

Byron Beach. A squeaky white sand beach accessible from the center of town. It’s a popular spot to swim, sunbathe and surf. Surf schools line the town’s main street while surfers ride the gentle waves.

The Pass. A popular surf spot for beginner and intermediate surfers. Small and steady waves cruise into Byron Beach after breaking near Fisherman’s Lookout.

Fisherman’s Lookout. A coastal lookout point on the rocks above The Pass. It’s a beautiful spot to admire the bay and watch surfers catching waves.

Wategos Beach. A small beach nestled between two rocky points. It’s popular for sunbathing, body surfing and dolphin spotting.

Two people taking a selfie at a cliffside viewpoint overlooking the deep blue Pacific Ocean

Australia’s Most Easterly Point. A viewpoint of the Pacific Ocean marking Australia’s most easterly point. Come here to spot sea turtles in the waters below the cliffs and migrating whales in the far distance.

A white historic lighthouse with a castellated base standing on a cliff under a clear blue sky.

Cape Byron Lighthouse. A historic lighthouse perched on the cliffside peak of Australia’s most easterly point. It offers panoramic views of the forested woodlands, white sand beaches and Pacific Ocean.

A long sandy beach with rolling waves, a surfer entering the water, and pine trees lining the shoreline.

Sharps Beach. A sandy beach with a rocky point and consistent surf conditions for beginner and intermediate surfers. We came here on our second day of surf lessons.

Seven Mile Beach. A long sandy beach with beginner surf breaks and sand bars. It’s a popular spot for instructors to teach lessons and locals to have play time with their pups.

A still, tea colored freshwater lagoon bordered by sandy shore and overhanging coastal trees under cloudy skies.

Lake Ainsworth. A coastal freshwater lagoon tinted brown by tree tea oil. Come here for a refreshing and therapeutic swim after surf lessons.

Large steel brewing tanks and a tasting bar inside a spacious craft brewery with a beer menu on the wall.

Places to Eat & Drink

Stone & Wood Brewery Byron Bay. A large brewery in North Beach with a range of craft beers and bites. Come here for a flight to sample several seasonal brews on tap. Try the Barrel Aged Stone Beer.

Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. A seafood restaurant in the center of Byron Bay. Come here for the fresh and loaded oysters. Try the version topped with creme fraiche, horseradish and caviar.

Blue Cow Gelato. A gelato and ice cream shop with large scoops and unique flavors like pavlova, butterfly pea flower and Turkish delight.

The Hum. A waterfront cafe across the Byron Beach with coffees, smoothies, açaí bowls and a range of breakfast dishes. Come here before or after a surf lesson.

Roca. A vibey restaurant with a Spanish style tapas menu and 2 for 1 happy hour cocktails from 5-7pm.

Miss Margarita. A Mexican restaurant with tacos, quesadillas and shareable starters like chips & salsa or guacamole. Come here for the daily happy hour margaritas and mojitos from 5-6pm.

Breads Pies Cakes. A bakery selling everything in its name. Come here for the sweet and savory miniature pies like apple raspberry or spinach cheese.

A light blue cottage with a bright blue door and tin roof tucked into a lush tropical garden.

Where to Stay

Rainforest Retreat. A cute cottage nestled in the tropical jungle outside of town. It’s surrounded by towering trees, verdant foliage and the echoing sounds of birds and insects. An outdoor patio offers the perfect place to enjoy the nature. Book on Airbnb.

Getting Here & Around

Greyhound Australia. Book tickets on the Greyhound bus to reach Byron Bay from Brisbane. The ride takes about 3 hours, passing through the Gold Coast on the way south. Book tickets online here.

On Foot. The city center and surrounding area is small and easily walkable. For further distances, take an Uber.

Location Specifics

Time Change. Depending on the time of year, Byron Bay is on a different time zone than Brisbane due to the practice of daylight savings time in New South Wales.

When to Visit. Mid October is one of the best times of year to visit Byron Bay. The southern spring weather is idyllic with warm sunny days and cool cozy nights.

Sunblock. Wear SPF 50+.The UV is significantly higher due to its location in the southern hemisphere and depleted ozone layer.

Tipping. Tipping is not generally expected due to fare and regulated wages. Best practice is to round up on bills or leave a small tip for exceptional service.

Cash vs. Card. Credit cards are widely accepted everywhere. Cash is rarely needed.

Elsewhere in Australia

From Byron Bay's surf breaks and coastal walks to Brisbane's urban culture, the Great Barrier Reef's marine life and the vast landscapes of the Australian Outback, continue your journey through Australia with these travel guides:

Tropical North Queensland Travel Guide: Cairns, Rainforests & Wildlife. Explore Tropical North Queensland from Cairns, where ancient rainforests, cascading waterfalls and remarkable wildlife meet palm fringed beaches and vibrant coral reefs.

Great Barrier Reef Travel Guide: Cairns, Coral Reefs & Marine Life. Dive into the Great Barrier Reef where vibrant coral gardens and extraordinary marine life thrive within one of Earth's most biodiverse underwater ecosystems.

Brisbane Travel Guide: Neighborhoods, Riverwalks & Island Adventures. Explore Brisbane where riverside neighborhoods, scenic riverwalks and nearby island adventures embody a laidback subtropical lifestyle shaped by nature.

Western Australia Road Trip: Perth to Ningaloo & The Coral Coast. Road trip along Western Australia's Coral Coast where red desert landscapes, remote gorges, sandstone cliffs and white sand beaches create an unforgettable adventure.

Uluru Travel Guide: Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon & Sacred Landscapes. Discover Uluru's sacred landscapes where ancient sandstone monoliths, desert hikes, canyon oases and Anangu traditions connect visitors to the Outback.

For Next Time…

Time passes slowly yet quickly in Byron Bay. Next time we return, we plan to surf more of the nearby beaches, visit other coastal towns and explore The Hinterlands.

The Gold Coast. A beachy metropolis north of Byron Bay with golden sand beaches, beginner surf breaks, towering skyscrapers, seafood restaurants and craft breweries.

Tallow Beach. A lengthy white sand beach on the coast opposite of Byron Bay. It has a popular surf break and national park with nature trails. We were able to overlook it from the Cape Byron Lighthouse.

Tallebudgera Creek Beach. A blue and emerald hued creek with beaches along its sandy banks.

The Hinterland. A tropical rainforest with lush valleys, waterfalls, volcanic calderas, hiking trails, wine vineyards, small towns and campgrounds.