There are many marvellous things about Byron Bay – its iconic lighthouse, golden sand beaches, whale watching, shopping, chillaxing, outstanding dining and celeb spotting.
It’s boho meets beachside, hippie meets hip, spiritual meets sophisticated where you’re just as likely to see Byron’s resident busker @koolandtheshakers hula-hooping on a street corner with pineapple and banana shakers as actor Chris Hemsworth having brunch.
A local resident, Hemsworth is to Byron what George Clooney is for Lake Como – an attraction in itself. The coastal town has also been a drawcard for Melissa McCarthy, Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman and when you visit you’ll see why.
A stroll along Main Beach rewards the senses. The vista of Wollumbin, Mt Warning beckons in the distance across the hinterland, there’s sand between the toes and gentle lapping waves invite you for a swim.
The area holds an attraction for humpback whales and dolphins, too. Byron has a year-round population of bottlenose dolphins and the headland in and around Byron Bay offers great viewing platforms to observe them. On a clear day during the winter and spring months, migrating humpback whales can often be seen travelling close to shore from Cape Byron Lighthouse or Tallow Beach.
Environmental protection and respect is also evident everywhere. Signs along Main Beach speak for the plants with reminders like, ‘Shhhh, plants are growing! Stay off the dunes’.
The town itself is a marvellous mix of high-end clothing boutiques selling conscious designer clothing and stores filled with candles and crystals. A Vinnies charity shop sits between new 5-star Hotel Marvell and Bayleaf Cafe. I picked up two fabulous dresses and a jumpsuit for $80. Thank you very much to the Byron Bay-rians who no longer needed these glorious items.
When To Visit
It is gorgeous in Byron Bay all year round so avoiding summer can be recommended depending on your jam. E.g., over 8,000 school leavers usually descend on Byron Bay for Schoolies at the end of November to celebrate the end of high school.
Must Visits
Cape Byron Lighthouse
No visit to Byron Bay is complete without a pilgrimage to the famous Cape Byron Lighthouse. Situated on the most easterly point of mainland Australia, the lighthouse was built in 1901 and can be seen from Main Beach. You can hike (it is quite a walk along the beach and up a winding road) or drive to the lighthouse and is a particularly beautiful spot from which to view the sunset. It’s also a great place to get your bearings of the area as it’s the midway point between Main Beach and Tallow Beach.
The Beaches
Main Beach is the closest beach to town so if you are staying in the centre, it is literally a hop and skip until you reach the shores of this gorgeous beach with views of Cape Byron Lighthouse to the right and Wollumbin Mt Warning to the left.
It has calm clear waters and is great for swimming or walking, and there are also plenty of amenities – toilets, picnic tables, ramp access to the beach, drinking fountains, showers, a playground and parking. The Byron Bay Surf Club is located here, too.
Tallow Beach is 3.2km from the town and a great place for swimming, surfing, whale and bird watching so bring some binoculars. visitnsw.com
Where To Eat
Bayleaf, 2a Marvell St
Offering indoor and outdoor dining, this bustling café offers an outstanding brunch/lunch menu, good coffee and lots of great vibes. Offerings include Bayleaf Greens – raw kale, broccoli, buckwheat, avocado, shallots, herbs, lemon, nuts, seeds and poached eggs, with a side of sourdough. The Pumpkin Spice Porridge comes with almond milk, banana, house granola, hemp seed butter and berries. As well as bacon and eggs; a Japanese savoury pancake option and more.
You can pick up a Monopoly Ballina-Byron Bay board game here too! bayleafbyronbay.com
Bonito, 4 Marvell St
If you only have time for one meal in Bryon head to Bonito. The food is absolutely outstanding. Chef Minh Le’s passion for seafood and plant-based cuisine comes to life in locally sourced ingredients across a creative menu that simultaneously reflects the ethos of sustainable and responsible dining. The flavour-packed journey starts with organic sourdough accompanied by house-cultured miso butter. I also recommend trying the Ballina prawns with finger limes, Vongole linguini and banana sponge cake with wattle seed dulce de leche and coconut sorbet for dessert. hotelmarvell.com.au
Pixie Food & Wine, 129 Jonson St
Wear your best to this glamorous contemporary eatery and soak up the relaxed-chic vibes while enjoying a drink or two from its extensive cocktail, wine and beer menu with zero-alcohol beer options. The food is also sensational. I went for the pappardelle with wagyu ragu, Parmigiano Reggiano and fried sage – delish! The menu combines Byron Bay’s laidback ambiance with the best of city dining and brings a modern coastal twist to traditional Italian cuisine thanks to executive chef Matteo Tine’s Sicilian roots. It also has gluten-free and vegan menus. pixiebyronbay.com.au
Three Blue Ducks at The Farm
A 13-minute drive from Byron Bay, Three Blue Ducks Restaurant is part of The Farm – an 80-hectare working farm that houses a collection of micro-businesses that support the environment and contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Three Blue Ducks Restaurant sits beside a farm shop selling farm produce and has pastural views and offers relaxed dining on an undercover outdoor patio. Bread comes from the on-site Social Bakery and the menu dishes up freshly grown garden produce.
Dropping in for breakfast, I can recommend the bacon and free-range fried egg panini roll, cheddar, apple and herb slaw, bacon jam, aioli, pickled chilli with a side of avocado or halloumi. Another winner is the red curry scramble, bean shoots, green papaya, toasted peanuts, sriracha, toasted sourdough.
Serves great coffee and tea, and the bar has 56 taps of all Australian craft beers, wines and ciders. thefarm.com.au
Where To Stay
Hotel Marvell, 4 Marvell St
Byron Bay’s first 5-star hotel opened in August 2023 and is situated in the heart of the town and an easy walk to cafes, restaurants, shops and Main Beach. It is the epitome of relaxed luxury done in Byron style and also has a rooftop bar and pool, and Bonita restaurant out front – arguably the best restaurant in Byron! hotelmarvell.com.au
