New South Wales · Coastal

Byron Bay

Australia's Easternmost Point

sunny Best in April to June, September to November

location_on Northern Rivers

Byron Bay

Byron Bay sits at the easternmost point of the Australian mainland on the traditional lands of the Arakwal Bundjalung people. The town was originally a whaling, sand-mining and dairy town and was economically depressed through most of the 20th century. The counter-culture movement of the 1970s rediscovered it as a surf and alternative-lifestyle refuge, and since the 1990s it has become one of the most popular beach towns in the country, with a cost of living now higher than most of Sydney.

The headland at Cape Byron marks the easternmost point of the Australian mainland and is topped by the Cape Byron Lighthouse, a working lighthouse built in 1901. The 3.7 kilometre Cape Byron Walking Track circles the headland, passing the lighthouse, the most-easterly point marker, and the signature views down over Tallow Beach and north to the Julian Rocks. It is widely considered one of the best short coastal walks in Australia, and is a reliable place to see humpback whales from the headland from June to November.

The beaches are the core of the town's appeal. Main Beach is the protected north-facing beach right next to the CBD and is where most day visitors swim. Clarkes Beach and The Pass at the western end of Cape Byron are the town's two classic point breaks for longboards and intermediate surfers. Wategos, inside the cape, is a small family-friendly cove. Tallow Beach, south of the cape, is the longest stretch of open-ocean surf beach and is rarely crowded.

The Julian Rocks Marine Park, 2.5 kilometres offshore, is a transition zone where temperate and tropical marine species meet, and one of the best dive sites on the east coast of Australia. Grey nurse sharks, leopard sharks, turtles, wobbegongs and manta rays are all regular sightings. Day-boat scuba diving and snorkelling trips run from the Byron Bay beachfront.

Byron Bay Bluesfest, held every Easter weekend at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm 10 kilometres north of town, is the largest blues and roots festival in Australia and has headlined Bob Dylan, Crowded House, Jack Johnson, Robert Plant and Paul Simon over the years. It runs for five days and draws crowds of over 100,000. Byron Writers Festival in August and Falls Festival over New Year are the other major annual events.

Byron is also the base for exploring the wider Northern Rivers hinterland, including Bangalow, Newrybar, Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads and the Nightcap National Park. Minyon Falls, 40 minutes inland, is the standout waterfall in the area.

Byron Bay is a year-round destination. Summer is warm but crowded and expensive. Autumn (March to May) has the most consistent weather for swimming and whale migration begins. Winter (June to August) is mild and quiet, with the best whale watching. Spring (September to November) combines warm days with smaller crowds. The closest airports are Gold Coast (OOL, 60 minutes north) and Ballina Byron Gateway (BNK, 20 minutes south).

explore

Cape Byron

Easternmost point

groups

9,500

Population

set_meal

Jun to Oct

Whale season

Northern Rivers

Plan your visit

public

New South Wales

Coastal
wb_sunny

Best time to visit

April to June, September to November
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Further reading
Wikipedia article

Where to stay

Holiday parks near Byron Bay.

5 options via our booking partner

Reflections Shaws Bay Holiday & Caravan Park

Northern Rivers, NSW

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Gallery

Byron Bay in pictures.

11 images licensed from Wikimedia Commons

Main Beach in Byron Bay with Cape Byron in the background in the state of New South Wales, Australia.

Byron Bay Lighthouse, Beach and Hinterland Aerial Shot in the Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia

Main Beach in Byron Bay is the central beach in the beachtown of Byron Bay in the state of New South Wales, Australia.

All images are sourced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licences. Individual photographers are credited on the source pages.

Things to do

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From $85 AUD

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On the itinerary

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Byron Bay

Byron Bay

Holiday parks near Byron Bay.

Reflections Shaws Bay Holiday & Caravan Park

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BIG4 Casino Holiday Park

Ballina Rental Village

Byron Bay in pictures.

Recommended Experiences

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Ballooning Byron Bay with Breakfast Byron Bay NSW

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Shortlists that include Byron Bay.

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Sources & credits

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Images (11)