11 Things To Do In Byron Bay (First-Timer Guide!)
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Looking for things to do in Byron Bay? It’s one of the most unique and special places in Australia, and its magical charm will just keep you coming back for more.
Byron Bay stole my heart from the moment I arrived. It’s such a beautiful town, full of white sandy beaches, laid-back attitudes and total freedom of expression! It’s somewhere I could have stayed for a lot longer, and somewhere I’m desperate to get back to.
There are a whole range of things to do in Byron Bay, for every type of backpacker and traveller. You want to stay in luxury? Byron Bay has it. Budget backpacker vibes? Byron Bay’s your place.
From kayaking with dolphins and whales to yoga lessons on a rooftop, there’s something for everyone.
And no matter how long you stay, I’m sure Byron Bay will steal your heart, just as it did mine.
Things to do in Byron Bay
Where is Byron Bay?
🚗 Byron Bay is a coastal town situated on the East Coast of Australia and around 700km north of Sydney (roughly an eight-hour drive), or an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast.
✈️ The closest airport is Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, but very few flights run to/from here. If I were you, I’d visit Byron Bay as part of an East Coast road trip, and then you can stop off at a few places along the way.
🚌 Most first-time backpackers and travellers use Premier or Greyhound buses to travel the East Coast and visit Byron Bay.
Some of the drives may be long, but it’s an opportunity to meet new people, and it always stops off at the most popular and central destinations.
Whilst visiting Byron Bay, you’ll probably come across a lot of Aussie’s who are down for the weekend to celebrate stags or hens, girl’s trips away, or just a family break.
It’s a popular holiday destination, and Australians see the eight-hour drive from Sydney as a relatively short journey. (For us, that’s the entire length of the country).
When to visit Byron Bay
Byron Bay can be visited at any time of year, but if you’re season-specific, these are the average temperatures on a monthly basis.
- Summer (December – February): 28°-30°C
- Autumn (March – May): 22° – 27°C
- Winter (June – August): 20° – 21°C
- Spring (September – November): 23° – 26°C
If you’re a northern hemisphere baby (the UK, America, Europe, etc), make sure you remember Australia is in the southern hemisphere. That means a total flip of seasons, and you’ll be wearing your coat in mid-August, and your bikini in January.
Staying in hostels? Don’t forget to pack:
- A padlock: to keep your valuables secure when you leave your hostel room.
- A hanging wash bag: to make sure all your toiletries are kept in one place, and won’t get confused with anyone elses
- Speakers: because, well, who doesn’t love music? Just make sure everyone in your room gets a chance to pick a song! (And no one minds you playing the music)
- A microfibre towel: Not all hostels will provide you with towels for free. Bring your own to save extra ££.
- Earphones: for loud nights and disruptions to your sleep.
- Flip flops: if you’re using shared showers.
- Eyemask: for uninterrupted sleep.
- World travel adapter or an extension lead: so you’re not using more than one plug!
- Your laptop or tablet: for movie nights, of course! 🍿
Where to Stay in Byron Bay (On a Backpackers Budget!)
Wherever you stay in Byron Bay, you’ll likely be close to the ocean and high street. Most hostels and Airbnbs are centrally located for backpackers and travellers, making it easy to spend your days by the beach and evenings in the local pub.
Obviously, there are a ton of Airbnbs you can rent out and stay with your partner, friends or family. But as my blog focuses on first-time backpackers, I’ll be highlighting the best places to stay for travellers on a budget.
📍 Accommodation on a budget in Byron Bay:
- Nomads: Nomads Byron Bay is perfect for first-time backpackers and solo travellers who want to meet other people and have fun. With an onsite jacuzzi, regular BBQs, and nightly events, you’re bound to make friends in no time. Stay at Nomads for pizza parties, bar crawls and cinema dates, as well as activity planning for days when you need your adrenaline fix. Popular day trips include kayaking, diving and surfing, which can all be done with your new travel pals.
- Arts Factory: Arts Factory is also owned by Nomads, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to entertaining backpackers. Originally created in the ’70s by hippies and local artists, the Arts Factory has a pool, hammocks and a friendly atmosphere. Arts Factory boasts a number of workshops, including yoga, digeridoo making and bush tucker tours. Every Thursday, Arts Factory holds a ‘talent show’, that most backpackers in the area attend (even if they’re not staying there!)
Both hostels range from around $25-$35 per night for a shared dorm room, depending on the season and the size of the room.
🗺️ Booking hostels? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.
11 Things to do When Visiting Byron Bay
1. Hike up to the lighthouse at sunset
One of the most popular things to do in Byron Bay is to hike up to the lighthouse. And if you want to make it even better? Hike there at sunset.
The Byron Bay Lighthouse walk (also known as the Cape Byron track) is a circular 4km route that leads you from the centre of Byron Bay to one of the most iconic landmarks in the area, the Cape Byron Lighthouse.
It’s accessible to all, although there is a medium-sized incline to reach the lighthouse. (Top tip, some people do cheat a little bit and get an Uber up to the top. We may have got one back down after a few beers).
When you arrive at the Lighthouse, you’ll find the most easterly point in Australia, and views that stretch for miles over the seemingly-endless ocean. It’s really quite something.
Make a night of it by taking some beers, a few snacks and watching the sunset over one of the best viewpoints in Australia.
🦉 Pro-tip: Double-check the time of the sunset on your weather app!
✨ For more information on the walk, click here. ✨
🗺️ My world travel must-have: Whilst out during the day, I use a tote bag to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!
2. Go kayaking to spot wild dolphins and whales
Byron Bay is one of the best places in Australia to spot wild dolphins and whales. This makes it undoubtedly one of the best things to do whilst you’re visiting Byron Bay!
Prices to kayak out to the animals start at around $70, and it’s a whole day tour. You’ll be given a wet suit and a buddy (if you’re not already with someone) to kayak out with and try to catch the animals in their natural habitat. Of course, there’s no guarantee you’ll see any of these incredible creatures.
But to me, just being on a kayak in the middle of the ocean was an experience in itself!
We used Cape Byron Kayaks, and they were incredible from start to finish. From giving us the right equipment to guiding us through the entire process, they make sure you have a memorable and safe experience.
The company provide just about everything, apart from your sunscreen, water and camera! Pack a small waterproof bag to keep your belongings safe (although most belongings can be locked up in their safe house).
✨ Book a trip with Cape Byron Kayaks here. ✨
🗺️ My Byron Bay must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos? 📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)
3. Browse the endless Byron Bay markets
Another popular activity in Byron Bay is to have a stroll through the endless markets across town. Depending on the day of the week, Byron will have stalls set up for you to browse.
From selling food, clothes, artwork, crystals, trinkets or everything else in-between, you can grab some great budget finds in Byron.
Here are some of the most popular Byron Bay markets:
- Byron Bay Community Market: More than 300 market stalls take over Byron on the first Sunday of every month. The Community Markets are known to be a ‘fanfare of colour’, with a mix of music, craftwork, artwork and cultural imports from Africa and Asia. Find the market on Lawson Street, every first Sunday of the month.
- The Byron Twilight Market: Held every Saturday night between November and April, the Twilight Market focuses on local artisans, designers, food and live music. It will usually begin around 4pm, and can be found at the Railway Park.
- Byron Farmer’s Market: Pick up fresh local produce such as oysters, cheese, honey and spices at the local farmer’s market every Thursday morning. This starts at 7am, and is located on Butler Street Reserve.
- Byron Flea Market: The Byron Flea Market is the perfect place to grab a coffee, relax and experience the true Byron Bay lifestyle. With a big focus on sustainability, the market is designed for young entrepreneurs, giving freedom of expression and entertainment. Stop by for music, food and happy places every first Saturday of the month between February and August. Located in the Byron Youth Centre.
✨ Find out more about Byron Bay markets here. ✨
4. Go scuba diving or snorkelling
There are endless opportunities across Australia to go scuba diving or snorkelling. But doing it in Byron Bay is just that tiny bit better than anywhere else.
You will find a variety of companies wanting to take you out to dive into the ocean and spend the day looking for marine life.
You’ll spend your time looking for turtles, manta rays, lemon sharks, humpback whales and over 400 species of fish!
Even if you’re only looking to snorkel, you’ll more than likely spot pufferfish, small sharks, turtles, and if you’re lucky, dolphins!
⚠️(No snorkelling or scuba diving company can guarantee to see any marine life! At the end of the day, they’re wild animals, so they can only guess where they might be!)⚠️
✨ Check out the Byron Bay Dive Centre or Sundive Byron Bay for PADI courses and day trips out into the ocean. ✨
🗺️ My travel must-have: A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst travelling! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B.
5. Take a leap of faith and skydive
Another activity that can be done all over Australia, but is just one of the best things to do in Byron Bay is skydiving. Not only is it an incredible view from 15,000ft, but it’s a lot cheaper than some of the locations in Queensland!
You’ll fly directly over the ocean and the adjoining white sandy beaches, with views that stretch for miles.
If you’re brave enough to do it, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s ideal for first-time backpackers to get their adrenaline fix!
Prices range from $350-400, and usually take up an entire morning or afternoon with training and necessary equipment checks. I’ll be honest, it was one I ‘accidentally’ forgot to do…
✨ Check out Skydive Australia here. ✨
🗺️ My Byron Bay must-have: If you’re travelling Australia, make sure you pack a Microfibre towel (and this one linked is super pretty too). They make life easier when getting in and out of the water, they’re portable and easy to carry on any kind of day trip. I’ve had mine for years and use it on every beach trip!
6. Visit the unique town of Nimbin
A day trip to Nimbin was one of my favourite activities when I visited Byron Bay. Nimbin is a tiny town around an hour’s drive from Byron Bay, and is known for its hippy lifestyle and (almost) open use of marijuana.
Originally set up in the ’60s by a group of people wanting to escape the reality of the 9-5 city life, Nimbin was a haven for hippies to express themselves freely, smoking weed and wearing tye-die from head to toe.
Nowadays, a lot of tourists flock to the area to buy weed, eat space cakes and chill out in the ‘hippy’ way of life.
Nimbin is only one small street, and can be explored in a couple of hours. There isn’t much apart from the hippy stalls and cafes, and a pub at the end of the road to grab something to eat and drink.
Take the time to go slow, enjoy the pace of the town and browse for small trinkets you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Tours to Nimbin (via the ‘Happy Coach’) start at around $55, and last most of the day. The tour usually includes a BBQ lunch, and you’ll be entertained by the cat-loving, top-hat wearing driver who’s so obsessed with Nimbin she makes the journey every day.
You’ll settle in, buckle up, and Princess Fiona (the driver) will blast the music and have you on your way!
- The Happy Coach: $55 return from the centre of Byron Bay
- Grasshoppers Nimbin: $79 with 4 different pickup points
7. Try and catch a wave surfing
Surfing is a popular activity in Byron Bay due to its big waves and perfect coastlines.
The best surf season is winter, due to the low-pressure systems in the Tasman Sea creating solid east and south swells.
The winds this time of year are also positive, compared to the possible erratic winds in spring and autumn. I’ve tried surfing a few times and it’s only ever been a disaster, but it’s an amazing experience if it’s your first time!
You can either surf yourself if you own your own board, or hire a board for around $35 (half day) or $45 (full day). Wetsuits are available to hire for around $5 a day.
Best locations to surf in Byron Bay include:
- The Pass
- Tallow Beach
- Broken Head Beach
🗺️ My world travel must-have: The tap water around the world isn’t always safe to drink, so I use my filter water bottle pretty much every day to keep myself hydrated. I take it everywhere with me, and it works in every country where you can’t drink tap water! You can grab yours here. 🚰
8. Dance the night away with the drum circle
“What on earth is the drum circle?” I hear you ask. “Some kind of creepy ritual held in the middle of Byron Bay?!”
Nope, it’s quite the opposite!
If you’ve been reading this post from the start, you’ll have learnt how Byron Bay is a place of freedom of expression, art and happiness. And the drum circle is somewhere where you can experience this first-hand!
Head to see the drum circle on the beach every evening at dusk, right on the coastline. Listen to the African-inspired drummists, entertaining and playing music for everyone to enjoy.
Join in with the dancing, singing and partying, bring a couple of beers and really immerse yourself in the experience!
🗺️ My travel must-have: I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!
9. Attend a silent disco on the beach
As well as the famous drum circle, some local artists hold a silent disco on the beach on a Saturday night. Set up with a van, some strobe lights out the boot and a dozen pairs of extra-large earphones, you’ve got your own silent disco in the middle of Byron Bay. It’s definitely one of the most unique things to do here!
The family-run businesses may charge a small fee to join in, but it’s worth it. Gather around 10-12am to see the crowds flock to join in the disco, dancing the night away in silence.
✨ The silent disco is held by the Beach Hotel, right on the beachfront. ✨
🗺️ My travel must-have: Well, it’s a little more advanced, but if you want to take high-quality photos, make sure you invest in a good camera. This doesn’t have to be thousands of pounds, and our favourite is the Canon EOS 6D Mark II.
10. Spend your pennies in fancy Byron Bay boutiques
Whilst this may not be too budget-friendly, it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Byron Bay. Beyond the beaches, the shops are the main attraction for tourists.
With an overall boho-chic vibe that can’t be found just anywhere, you’ll find endless rows of boutiques, independent vintage stores and fashionable designer studios.
Got a festival coming up? Byron Bay is the perfect place to pick up a colourful festival ensemble or some natural fibre sandals for the beach. Prices can be steep, but if you dig deep enough, you’ll find some bargain buys and items you’ll keep forever.
Some of the best stores in Byron Bay include:
- Spell & Gypsy Collective: Created by two local sisters, their styles can now be found all over Australia. Byron Bay is home to the flagship store, and it’s boho-chic styles are not to be missed.
- St Agni: Known for it’s natural fibres and loafer weave slip on shoes, St Agni boasts stylish apparel for all.
- Auguste the Label: A dreamy girly brand, with everything from a classic look to a floral dress.
Most shops are located in the centre of Byron Bay, and are open from around 10am-5pm daily.
11. Experience the nightlife in Byron Bay
Byron Bay is an AMAZING place for nightlife and one you should save some pennies for. Whether you’re looking for chilled live music in a cosy pub, beachfront house music in a beer garden or sticky floors in a 3AM nightclub, this town has it all.
If you’re staying in a backpacker hostel like Nomads, they should organise bar crawls and nights out for you to mingle and mix with other travellers. But even if you’re not, most people in Byron Bay are friendly and welcoming, and we met so many locals and holiday-makers whilst on a night out!
Plus, partying in Byron Bay isn’t that expensive (especially if you pre-drink at the hostel first!)
For those of you who love a boogie and a $3 double gin and tonic, my recommendations are:
- The Beach Hotel: day drinking in the beer garden or dancing the night away to house DJs by the seafront.
- The Railway: for a chilled vibe in an oldie-style pub with live music and a cosy atmosphere.
- Cheeky Monkey’s: for those who don’t want to stop at 3AM and would rather sing along to cheese music.
- Locura: for a late night boogie in a proper ‘club’.
- Woody’s: for late-night craziness with dancing and a ton of other backpackers!
- The Loft: for those with a higher budget who don’t mind splurging on cocktails and oysters!
Things to do in Byron Bay: FAQS
What is Byron Bay most known for?
Byron Bay is a small coastal town in New South Wales, Australia.
Byron is home to Australia’s most easterly point, which is marked by the prominent and iconic Cape Byron lighthouse. The lighthouse can be easily reached by car or a short uphill walk.
Byron is also well known for being a place of acceptance, freedom, positive vibes and happiness.
It has a laidback attitude to life, with the ocean, nature and freedom a priority. It also has some amazing sandy beaches!
Is Byron Bay full of hippies?
Although Byron is Australia’s ‘hippie’ town, it isn’t full of hippies. You get quite the average tourist here too!
However, Byron is a place of acceptance, love, freedom and positive energy. Nature and the ocean, happiness and openness are important here, meaning it does attract a certain type of person.
You’ll often find people walking the streets with no shoes, people with braided hair, colourful campervans, old, battered guitars and dusty surfboards.
If you want a real taste of the ‘hippy’ lifestyle, head down to the beachside at dusk for music, dancing, singing and pure happiness.
Is Byron Bay overpriced?
Well, it depends on what you want to spend your money on!
If you’re a budget backpacker like me, I didn’t find Byron to be overpriced any more than anywhere else in Australia. You might not be shopping at the boutiques or dining in the nice restaurants, but buying a pint by the beach or grabbing a quick lunch isn’t expensive.
In my opinion, for such a friendly, positive, fun and welcoming town, Byron Bay isn’t overpriced in the slightest!
🗺️ Booking hostels? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.
Is Byron Bay worth visiting?
Byron Bay is so worth visiting. Not only is it loved by tourists, but it’s a popular destination with Australians due to its laidback lifestyle and happy vibe.
It’s a unique experience visiting Byron Bay, and you really have to experience it yourself to believe it.
How many days do you need in Byron Bay?
This is really down to the type of traveller you are, but to see all of the ‘sights’ and get a feel for Byron, I would suggest 2-3 nights.
However, if you’re a nature lover like me, you can spend weeks in Byron and not get bored. The beaches, walks and coastline are stunning, it’s a great place to surf and spot dolphins, and you can truly immerse yourself in the culture if you stay longer.
If you’re backpacking in Byron for the first time, I recommend at least 4-6 nights.
Things to Do in Byron Bay: In a Nutshell
Well, as you’ve probably gathered, Byron Bay is an incredible place to visit in Australia, and one that should be on everyone’s East Coast bucket list.
There are just so many things to do in Byron Bay, and even if you decide to do nothing, you can sit back and enjoy its magical way of life.
For me, Byron Bay will always have a special place in my heart. I met so many new friends, checked off bucket list experiences and didn’t stop laughing from start to finish.
As soon as I’m back over that side of the world, Byron Bay is top of my list.
Byron Bay is a town full of music, food and happiness.
As always, if you have any questions about Byron Bay, let me know in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram! I’d love to hear from you!
Happy travelling!
Jennie 🙂 x
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