A Weekend in Byron Bay

Byron Bay, Australia

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Sharps Beach.  A sandy beach with a rocky point and consistent surf conditions for beginner and intermediate surfers. We came here 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. 

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

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 fresh and the loaded oysters. Try the version topped with creme fraiche, horseradish and caviar. 

Blue Cow Gelato.  An 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 style Spanish 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. 

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. 

Good to Know

Time Change.  Depending of 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 exception service. 

Cash vs Card.  Credit card is widely accepted everywhere. Cash is rarely needed. 

Elsewhere in Australia 

We traveled for over a month in Australia, visiting worldly cities, beautiful national parks and natural wonders along the country’s east and west coasts as well as the famed Outback. Explore the energetic and beautiful city of Brisbane. Hike through the lush rainforests of Tropical North Queensland. Dive into the underwater wonders of The Great Barrier Reef. Drive between coastal towns and national parks on a Western Australia Roadtrip. Visit the remote landscapes of and Uluru & 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.

Brisbane, Queensland

Brisbane, Queensland

Brisbane is a sunny subtropical city with trendy neighborhoods, bountiful green spaces and access to Australia’s east coast. We spent a few days here exploring the city and its offshore islands on a trip through Queensland. 

Neighborhoods & Streets

Fortitude Valley.  A trendy neighborhood with brunch spots, designer boutiques and nightlife. It’s a lush and walkable area with plenty to do by day and night. 

St Ann & Brunswick Streets.  The nightlife streets in Fortitude valley with music venues, gay bars and restaurants. 

Westend.  A vibrant and grungy neighborhood with late night restaurants, cocktail bars, breweries and live music venues. It’s a popular spot with younger Australians and the queer community. 

Boundary Street.  The main street in Westend home to many of the neighborhood’s restaurants and bars. 

Howard Smiths Wharves.  A lively riverfront wharf under the Story Bridge with breweries, restaurants and walking paths. 

South Bank Parklands.  A riverfront park with a leisurely walkways, an artificial beach, ferris wheel, vibey restaurants and cafes. 

The Brisbane River 

The Brisbane River meanders through the city and its many neighborhoods. It’s lined with riverside parks, clifftop viewpoints and boardwalks. Dozens of unique bridges span between its banks, coining the city’s nickname, “Bridgebane.” Plan to spend time exploring the riverside on foot and by ferry! 

City Botanical Gardens.  A large city park nestled between the skyscrapers of the CBD and the Brisbane River. It’s home to lush walkways, riverfront lookouts, mangroves and gardens. Exotic and flowering trees transport visitors to a tropical rainforest in the middle of the city. 

New Farm Riverwalk.  A geometric boardwalk over the Brisbane River. It offers scene views of the city’s skyline, riverside home and Story Bridge.

Wilson Outlook Reserve.  A cliffside park along the Brisbane River with views of the Story Bridge and city skyline. It’s accessible from Howard Smiths Wharfs.  

Brisbane Riverwalk.  A riverside boardwalk located between the Neville Bonner Bridge and Goodwill Bridge. Both bridges are pedestrian only bridges and offer beautiful views of the city.

Kangaroo Point Lookout & Riverwalk.  A cliffside park along the Brisbane River with walking paths and views of the city’s skyline. 

Eat Street.  A vibrant weekend food market with dozens of kitchens serving street food and cuisine from all around the world. It’s built along a riverside wharf from colorful shipping containers, covered sheds and stages with live music. The market is open from Friday to Sunday from 4pm-9pm. Get here by taking the City Cat Ferry to the North Shore Hamilton Ferry Terminal. 

Places to Eat & Drink

The Burrow.  An artsy and casual restaurant with local beers, cocktails, live music and baskets of pub food like burgers, nachos and pizzas. 

The Boundary.  An elevated pub and sports betting bar. Come here for the wide selection of beers on tap and international dishes with an Aussie twist. Come for the fish and chips!

Covent Garden.  A bar with the world’s largest collection of Australian made gins. Come here for a gin tasting or round of craft cocktails.

Jungle Bar.  A dimly light and tropical feeling tiki bar with all the classic tiki drinks and rum cocktails like the mai tai, pina colada, painkiller and navy’s grog. 

Barbossa Bar & Bottle.  A rum bar and restaurant in East Banks with a wide range of cocktails, rums and island inspired tapas dishes. Try the Zombie & the Ship is Wrecked. 

King Arthur Cafe.  A brunch spot in Fortitude Valley with large fresh baked cookies and classic dishes like eggs benedict, avocado toast, açaí bowls and waffles. 

Epilo.  A “plant cafe” decorated with pots of verdant botanicals and terrariums. Come here for the  artisan coffees and fresh baked pastries.

Felon’s Brewery.  A riverfront brewery located at the base of the Story Bridge. Come here for pints of local beers, boozy cocktails and pub style food. 

North Stradbroke Island 

A protected island home to Australian wildlife like kangaroo, wallaby and koala. Its seaside cliffs and lengthy white sand beaches offer opportunities to spot marine creatures like manta rays, sea turtles, humpback whale, dolphins and sharks. 

North Gorge Walk.  A cliffside nature walk through forested paths with scenic views of the coast. Come here to spot all types of marine and wildlife. Kangaroos and wallaby can be spotted grazing on grass and resting in the shade. Manta rays gracefully glide underwater, sea turtles surface for breaths of air, pods of dolphins porpoise in the waves and sharks hunt for prey. 

Humpback Whale Migration.  Humpback whales migrate along the eastern coast of Queensland between June and November. Pods of whales spray geysers of water and continually breach the surface with a massive splash. The best views of them can be seen from the cliffside lookouts along the North Gorge Walk.

Pro Tip.  Bring binoculars to watch wildlife and a camera to capture images better than the zoom on a phone. 

Cook’s Seat.  A hilly lawn overlooking Frenchman’s Beach. Come here for a picnic lunch or order a meal and local beer from one of the nearby cafes or restaurants. 

Main Beach.  A lengthy white sand beach hugged by turbulent aquamarine waters. It’s popular with experienced surfers. Visit the North Gorge Walk for its best views.

Cylinder Beach.  A white sand beach with a small protected swimming area, a surf school and parking lot with trunk cafes. Keep an eye out for wild kangaroos nibbling on grasses.

Ballow Street.  A forested street with tall eucalyptus trees home to wild koalas. Walk the street towards the beach looking up for the cute and sleepy animals hugging onto the branches.

Straddie Brewing Co.  A brewery with craft beers brewed on the island. They’re sold virtually everywhere. Try the dark lager and jumpinpin IPA. 

Stradbroke Island Tours.  A company offering day trips to North Stradbroke Island from Brisbane. Their small group tour includes transportation, ferry tickets and wildlife spotting guides. We booked with Viator.

Morton Island 

Morton Island is a massive sandbar island famed for its pristine beaches, sunken shipwrecks, desert like sand dunes and forested trails. 

Tangalooma Island Resort.  A beautiful beachfront resort on Morton Island with access to its scenic nature. Take a day trip here from Brisbane to enjoy some beach time and a range of marine activities. We booked the Adventure Day Pass which included round trip ferry tickets, snorkel gear and kayak rentals. 

Tangalooma Wrecks.  A series of sunken metal ships protruding from the bay. They a habitat for corals and all types of colorful and tropical fish. Rent kayaks from the resort to paddled around them and snorkel gear to observe underwater marine life. 

Tangalooma Beach.  A beautiful white sand beach stretching the length of the Tangalooma Island Resort. It’s a popular place to spot starfish during low tide. Come here to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. 

Moreton Island Desert.  A white sand desert surrounded by forest. It’s a popular spot for dune walking and sand boarding. Walk along the beach from the Tangalooma Island Resort to the Desert Walking Path. The trail leads 2km uphill and through the forest to an opening overlooking the desert. 

Where to Stay

East Brisbane Tiny House.  A cozy and well equipped backyard caravan (aka camper). The tiny space has a comfy bed, dining area and outdoor patio with a grill. Book on Airbnb.

Getting Around 

Train.  The light rail is the best way of getting between neighborhoods and the airport. Tap your credit card when entering and exiting the stations.

Brisbane Airport Train. The airport train is the cheapest and most direct way of getting between the central business district and the airport. Board at the Roma Street Station or Central Station. 

On Foot.  Brisbane is very pedestrian friendly. Explore the city’s neighborhoods, bridges and parkways on foot. 

Uber.  Ubers are available across Brisbane. They can be extremely expensive. Try to avoid booking during rush hour.

By Ferry.  The City Cat Ferry makes stops up and down the Brisbane River. It’s a scenic and convenient way of getting around and sightseeing. Tap your card to pay when getting on and off. Fares cost $0.50 AUD.

Good to Know

Sunblock.  Wear SPF 50+. The UV is significantly higher in Queensland 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 exception service. 

Cash vs Card.  Credit card is widely accepted everywhere. Cash is rarely needed. 

Elsewhere in Australia 

We traveled for over a month in Australia, visiting worldly cities, beautiful national parks and natural wonders along the country’s east and west coasts as well as the famed Outback. Relax on the beaches and surf the waves of Byron Bay. Hike through the lush rainforests of Tropical North Queensland. Dive into the underwater wonders of The Great Barrier Reef. Drive between coastal towns and national parks on a Western Australia Roadtrip. Visit the remote landscapes of and Uluru & The Outback.

For Next Time…

Brisbane is a beautiful and livable city that we see ourselves returning to one day! There is so much more to experience and explore when we do. A short list of places we missed but plan to visit next time are: 

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.  A koala sanctuary with all types of native Australian animals including kangaroos, platypus, Tasmanian Devils, dingoes, wombats, emus and crocodiles.

Mt Coot-tha.  A mountain park on the outskirts of Brisbane with nature trails leading through a eucalyptus forest to waterfalls, panoramic view points and a botanical garden. 

Mount Gravatt.  A hilltop lookout just outside of the city with numerous hiking trails. Come here to the sunset views and to spot wild koalas.

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