Discover the Ultimate Byron Bay Experience

Top 10 Insiders Must-Do Activities

Byron Bay is one of the most popular places to visit in Australia for many reasons. It boasts stunning beaches and rainforests, friendly community vibes, and many great restaurants, cafes, shops, and activities for all tastes and budgets.

The town's rich bohemian spirit and alternative lifestyle have attracted a diverse and talented community of artists, musicians, and creatives from all over the world, giving it a unique and vibrant cultural scene.

Byron Bay offers a wide range of activities, from surfing at Australia's best beaches to bushwalking in spectacular rainforests, as well as live music events and festivals. Whether you're interested in outdoor adventures, artistic experiences, or simply soaking in the laid-back vibe, Byron has something to offer everyone.

Here's our insider top 10 list of activities for the ultimate Byron experience:

1. Get tattooed at the most Easterly point in Australia @ Byron Temple Tattoo

Make your trip special with a meaningful tattoo experience at Byron's long-standing, award winning and most highly reviewed tattoo studio.

Byron Temple Tattoo was founded by renowned tattoo artist and oil painter Claire Reid in 2018, who has honed her skills over several decades through extensive travels and experience.

She has a natural gift for tuning into her clients and intuitively capturing what they deeply want to express, creating timeless art with depth and meaning.

Claire and her experienced team offer a wide range of tattoo styles including:

• Fine line tattoo

• Realistic tattoo

• Tribal tattoo

• Sacred geometry

• Dot work tattoo

• Botanical tattoo

• Monochrome

• Traditional / Neotraditional

• Couples tattoo's

and more!

BOOK NOW: 0478 757 789

BOOK NOW

2. Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk / Cape Byron Walking Track

A walk up to the Byron Bay lighthouse is a must as it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the stunning coastline.

Follow the Cape Byron Walking Track, a 3.7 km (2.3 mile) loop that takes you through rainforests and across clifftops. You will enjoy the most stunning array of natural beauty that Byron has to offer.

There are several starting points with the whole loop taking about 2 hours with the trail leading to the most easterly point in Australia, where the first sun rays touch the continent at dawn.

Comfortable shoes, water and binoculars are recommended to enjoy the breathtaking walk and spotting whales, dolphins and turtles.

3. Wategos Beach

Wategos Beach is the most picturesque beach on the northern side of Cape Byron. Sheltered by the headland, it's the ideal spot for picnic-ing and lazing in the sun.

Clear dazzling water and white sand makes it a favourite spot for locals and visitors. Whether you're looking to catch some waves, soak up the sun, or take a stroll along the shoreline, Wategos Beach offers a serene and scenic escape.

4. Sunrise @ Tallow Beach

Tallow Beach is a long sandy beach that can be accessed from the Cosy Corner picnic area or either the Beachcomber Trail or Beachcomber Track through the Arakwal National Park.

The uninterrupted stretch of the horizon from Tallow Beach creates the ideal setting to watch the sunrise.

With soft rolling dunes and lush vegetation, Tallow Beach is the perfect place to unwind away from the hustle and bustle and connect with nature.

5. Local Shops, Cafes, Activities & Where to Stay

Here's a list of our favourite places to eat, shop, have fun & rejuvenate:

Afends Clothing Store

State of Play

The Book Room

Let’s Go Surfing - Surf School

Aquarius Backpackers

6. Surf @ The Wreck

The Wreck is a popular surf spot located approximately 30 meters (98 feet) off the shore of Belongil Beach for avid surfers.

The Wreck is the remains of SS Wollongbar lodged just offshore after the ship lost its tie to the old Byron Bay Pier during a cyclone and sank in 1922.

The Wreck is best surfed on mid-high tide with a W - SE wind, on a N/NE swell of 3 to 6 feet. When working well, a fast, hollow and powerful right-hander breaks on the sand bank about 10 metres (33 ft) in front of the shipwreck.

7. Bushwalk to Minyon Falls

Take a breathtaking scenic walk through the Minyon Falls rainforest to an impressive 100 m (109 yards) waterfall in Nightcap National Park.

The waterfall can run dry after long periods of no rain, but the walk itself is worth the hike either way.

The complete route is 13 km (8 miles) and there are also two routes to the bottom of the waterfall, if you would like to see it in full height or take a swim in one of the pools below.

Check out for alerts as the park can be closed at times for landslide repairs.

Pack some lunch, plenty of water, swimmers and good walking shoes. You'll be wowed by one of the most beautiful walks in NSW.

We would like to acknowledge the Arakwal Bumberbin people of the Bundjalung Nation who are the Traditional Custodians of this land which we live, work, and stand on.

We acknowledge their continuing living culture, connection to land, waters and community; they ask that you help look after and respect country.

We acknowledge and extend our respect to Elders both past and present and emerging.

8. Swim in the Tea Tree Lakes

Lake Ainsworth, commonly known as Tea Tree Lake is a freshwater lake near Lennox Head Beach, south of Byron. The water is dark from the tannins seeping from the fallen leaves of the paper bark trees surrounding the lake.

This large lake is around 12 hectares (approximately 30 acres) wide and great for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing. It's also great for barbecues, picnics and relaxing under the trees.

9. Sunset @ Main Beach

The iconic Main Beach is the most popular and accessible beach in town, offering a convenient spot to enjoy a spectacular sunset.

Check out the drum circle, which is on every evening right before sunset. Bring your drum or have a dance and soak up the Byron vibes amongst locals.

10. Live Music in Town

There's never a dull moment in Byron with so many great live music venues in town. Let your dancing feet guide you or check out the venues below and see what will tantalise your ears:

The Beach Hotel

The Rails

The Northern Hotel

Stone & Wood Brewery Byron Bay

Evenings at Tree House

The Bands in Town Byron Bay Event Guide also lists upcoming events.