BYRON BAY
I link my Google Maps folder of my saved spots from Byron Bay at the bottom, but here’s an overview of my favorites and must-do restaurants, shops and activities. We stayed in an Airbnb, but in my Google Maps I’ve saved B&B’s and hotels that were recommended to us too.
DINING FAVORITES
The Farm Byron Bay | Working farm that is open to the public! Live music, great food, and they also do takeaway picnic baskets and you can bring your own blanket and picnic with the food on the property. All their food is grown on their land.
Light Years | Our favorite, another must, Asian food and such cool nighttime atmosphere.
Treehouse on Belongil | This one’s a bit off the beaten track. It’s another must! I know I’ve said that about the last three, but this one gets a 10/10 for ambiance. Its a cute treehouse-style restaurant that has live music and dj’s that play while you eat. Take a walk there on Belongil beach for sunset and end there for dinner. Good to have a reservation because the lines get crazy long!
Raes at Wategos | The place everyone will tell you you have to go. The interiors and architecture here is incredible, and it’s a great lunch or happy hour spot after a day at Wategos beach.
The Byron Bay General Store | Adorable spot for breakfast/lunch/coffee. Vegan options!
Bang Bang Byron Bay | Incredible craft cocktails and a great atmosphere. Might need a res if its a weekend depending on your party size
Bay Leaf Cafe | Great for brunch! Get the falafel breakfast bowl, sounds weird but I still think about it. I noticed there was usually a wait but it was worth it. I got wifi here and worked.
Japonaise Kitchen | Cheap, delicious hole-in-the-wall eats like ramen, sushi, etc
The Top Shop | Popular for quick coffee and breakfast, great before walking to the lighthouse.
BARS
Stone & Wood Brewery | Byron Bay’s official brewery!
The Bolt Hole | We came back two nights! Such a cute speakeasy-style vintage bar. The guy who we stayed with bartended there. Great cocktails. *Edit this is now called Casa Luna and is totally redone to a restaurant
Balcony | Fun rooftop with a great location in the middle of town. Perfect for happy hour.
The Mez Club | Mexican-style trendy bar
SHOPPING
Spell Byron Bay
Arnhem
Miss Brown Vintage
Auguste the Label
Mister Zimi
Island Luxe Tribe
Citizen Nomade
Unplugged (one for the guys - carried great European and Aussie brands)
ACCOM
We stayed in a great Airbnb (there are tons!) but these are some boujee-er (is that a word yet?) places that were recommended to us. We either stopped by to have a look or drink at the ones below, and if you’re willing to spend they all look gorgeous.
Bask & Stow
Elements of Byron
the Lord Byron
The Bower Byron Bay.
BEACHES
The Pass | This was my favorite. A great beginner surfing beach. Walk up the little Fishermans Lookout stairs that are there.
Wategos | Super popular but great. It’s a must to go to Raes if you go, for an alfresco drink and bite during the beach day.
Main Beach | Funny, more touristy and definitely a scene to check out. Tons of performers, street vendors and travelers. A bit hectic during the day but it’s fun to walk through at night as there’s tons of street performers and great people watching.
We were recommended to drive to Broken Head Nature Reserve beaches like Brays Beach and White’s Beach but stayed local
ACTIVITIES
Hike to Cape Byron Lighthouse | Start at Cape Byron Walking Track and walk along the water all the way up!
Day trip drive to the Hinterlands | These are the towns neighboring Byron Bay. The best ones we visited were Newrybar and Bangalow, pictured below.
BANGALOW: Start the day with breakfast and coffee at Woods Cafe Bangalow and exploring Bangalow market, if they have it on the weekend your there! Make sure you go to Bisque Traders and Rowie next to Woods.
NEWRYBAR: Next, drive to the neighboring town Newrybar for shopping at Newrybar Merchants (this is best store… it's a dream!) and then walk around Newrybar shops or grab an afternoon coffee. Our other favorites were Harvest Newrybar, Luther & Co and Driftlab.
The Farm Byron Bay | Mentioned above, large farm where you can walk around, meet their animals in a self-guided tour, hear live music and have an amazing lunch. They also do takeaway picnic baskets and you can bring your own blanket and picnic with the food on the property. A bit of a drive from downtown Byron Bay.
Cabarita Beach | Nice day trip if you have time or are driving up the coast. Up north a few hours. Halcyon House for lunch or dinner in town.
Hike/Walk to Minyon Falls (there are tons of others too)
Beach day at Wategos Beach & Raes