48 Epic Hours in Byron Bay

It’s shrugged off its hippie vibe but Byron Bay still knows how to do laidback like nowhere else. By the end of the weekend, you will, too.

What makes Byron Bay such a drawcard? Is it the beaches (stunning), the food scene (creative) or the natural attractions (breathtaking)? Mark off all three and then add top-notch accommodation, good coffee, a bustling shopping strip and friendly locals. And don’t forget the sun. A weekend getaway in the northern NSW town is very manageable – take a quick flight into Ballina Byron Airport, pick up a hire car and hit the road. You’ll be enjoying the charms of Byron within 40 minutes – or you could live like a local by taking your time and stopping off at the small coastal towns along the way. Rush? Up this way there’s no such thing…

Where to stay

Hillside estate

Whether it’s executive chef Simon Favorito’s late lunch of spiced pumpkin and slow-roasted lamb shoulder or the way the sun’s last rays beckon you to the 25-metre magnesium pool, there’s plenty to conjure a feeling of contentment at The Brooklet. The estate was created by owners Greta and Perry Smith as a homage to the family holidays they used to enjoy in Tuscany. Located about 20 minutes south of Byron Bay, it includes a three-bedroom homestead and six chic villas, each with barn-style vaulted ceilings, solid oak floors and filtered rainwater showers. Favorito’s kitchen more than provides but you can self-cater, too. There’s also an infrared sauna and ice bath, plus a roster of visiting yogis to up the wellness cred.

Elements of Byron

This resort sits on the shores of pristine Belongil Beach, which means that you’re in the heart of Byron (just a 30-minute walk along the beach and you’ll hit town) but away from the hustle. This is rainforest-meets-the-sea territory – the owners of Elements planted some 65,000 native trees and plants on the site and there are more than 100 single-storey villas dotted within 22 hectares. Choose to be a sloth (nab a bure by the 850,000-litre infinity lagoon pool, kick back by the communal fire pit or book a treatment at Osprey Spa) or get amongst it. There’s horse riding, surfing, kayaking, beach volleyball and, if you’re feeling extra energetic, complimentary sunrise yoga.

The Bower Byron Bay

Taking the classic beach-hotel concept and adding a sophisticated New York-inspired twist, The Bower Byron Bay feels like a tropical resort in the middle of paradise. Nestled on one of Byron’s original properties, the highlight of this luxury boutique hotel is its award-winning circular mineral pool, as well as its range of impeccably styled rooms and self-contained cottage and house. A short walk from the bustling heart of Byron Bay, The Bower is the perfect springboard for a scenic walk, distillery tour or even kayaking with dolphins.

Where to eat

Country comforts

The winding roads of the region are dotted with “honesty box” stalls that sell everything from home-harvested honey to garden-fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes. In the hamlet of Nashua, 20 kilometres south-west of Byron Bay, Frida’s Field farm and restaurant is a firm favourite with locals, thanks to Scottish chef Alastair Waddell’s fare, which celebrates the regenerative farming practices of the property on which it’s perched. The set menu might include sourdough bread with cultured butter made using milk from Allards Dairy and woodfired Bangalow pork with Davidson’s plum, fennel and mountain pepperberry.

There’s also The Hut, a schoolhouse-turned-long-lunch-venue in Possum Creek, about 15 kilometres west of Byron Bay. The restaurant closes over winter so the team can head back to Italy to gather menu ideas. The result? An expansive European wine list and dishes such as Cantabric crostino – a crisp wafer topped with ricotta, lemon zest and a hand-filleted anchovy.

Breakfast at Bayleaf

Wander up to Bayleaf in the heart of Byron for a solid breakfast and excellent coffee. Tuck into everything from charred sweet potato flatbread to dukkah poached eggs, all made with locally sourced ingredients.

Lunch at Balcony Bar & Oyster Co.

This iconic building on the corner of Lawson and Johnson streets was a tea house in the whaling days and has variously been a string of restaurants over the years. But since Sydney hotelier Fraser Short took over Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. last year, the Balinese artefacts of the ’90s have been replaced with white weatherboards, giving it a plantation feel. Grab a seat on the, ahem, balcony and tuck into executive chef Sean Connolly’s casual share plates (crab and lettuce tacos, salt and pepper school prawns) or more substantial offerings. But it would be a crime not to order the oysters.

What to do

Out and about

Movie-set cute Newrybar is a pretty place for a stroll and a spot of retail therapy. Begin your morning with a coffee and pastry at The Little General then make your way down the main street to browse the homewares at Luther & Co. and fashion, flowers and textiles at The Old Pacific. Or work up a sweat on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. The first section, which opened in early 2023, takes cyclists and walkers from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, a distance of 24 kilometres through stretches of pristine rainforest.

Take in the views at Pat Morton Lookout

No, you won’t have the place to yourself. At any time of day, this sweet spot on Lennox Head, halfway between Ballina airport and Byron, is filled with locals and tourists alike, all enjoying sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the antics of the surfers below. But when the whales are migrating (June to November), there is no better place to watch their graceful arc.

Swim in a tea-tree lake

Drive to the end of Pacific Parade in Lennox Head and you’ll find Lake Ainsworth, a tea-tree-stained lake that, thanks to the tea tree oil that has dripped into the water from the surrounding trees, is said to have healing powers. Don’t let the copper-coloured ripples put you off – there is something quite magical about swimming here. A perfect precursor to lunch or dinner at Foam.

Visit The Farm

Every guide to Byron Bay mentions The Farm. Why? Because it’s that good. This working farm is a collection of “micro businesses” – The Three Blue Ducks restaurant and café, a produce store, bakery and florist. Wander around (and take the obligatory Instagram shots) before garnering a table on the patio and hoeing into brunch. It can get very busy so consider going early (or take a picnic blanket and pick up some takeaway from the café or pre-order a hamper). It’s a great spot for kids, too – there’s a playground as well as pigs, chickens and tractors to see, and workshops during the holidays.