The top things to do in Byron Bay

Location: 1 Old Brunswick Road, Byron Bay, NSW

Want to view Byron’s beauty from the air but a skydiving experience a little too extreme for you? Understandable, and fortunately there’s an easy, tranquil and laid-back alternative that awaits – a hot air balloon ride with Byron Bay Ballooning should do the trick.

Byron Bay’s spectacular “Green Cauldron” is a stunning and criminally underrated environment that deserves more national press for its scenery, and this is something you’ll get to fully appreciate when seen while floating through the air in the early morning sunlight.

An experience that blends scenery and sightseeing with a touch of romance and some of the best photo opportunities you’re likely to come across during your time exploring Byron, a hot air balloon ride might not be cheap but in terms of providing views and a sense of scale of the landscape and layout of this part of Northern NSW as a whole, it’s definitely hard to beat.

A locally owned and operated company, the balloon guides here sure know their stuff – not only are they expert pilots but they know the region like the back of their hand, and as a result, a ballooning ride here is as informative as it is beautiful.

The ballooning experience requires a VERY early wakeup (rise and shine at around 3:30am) – launching pre-sunrise is the goal, and with the combination of getting to the launch site, inflating the balloon and climbing into the basket there’s a lot of pre-flight preparation involved.

There’s a reason for this, however: the combination of the stillness and clarity of the morning air coupled with the wonderful spectacle of the sunrise casting its colours of the landscape more than justify the sleepy eyes.

Once in the air, the rewards become obvious – you’ll have roughly an hour’s worth of flight time, and there’s an eye-popping array of sights to take in during that time.

This part of the country with its low-lying hinterland valleys produces a panorama of fog-drenched countryside that adds an aura of mystique to the experience, and at this height, the blend of additional views on offer is extensive.

The panorama extends from the beaches and coastline of Byron Bay and its surrounds all the way out to the Mount Warning National Park and its iconic peak in the distance, and ocean views make for the possibility of spotting breaching whales during their migratory period.

Flying over gorges, patchwork tapestry of fields and paddocks and more is all accompanied by expert commentary on the regional highlights and landmarks, with the staff combining friendly local knowledge with professionalism into a single enjoyable package.

Landings take place in a field and are typically smooth due in large part to the expert skills of the pilots, and putting a cherry on top of the experience is a lovely champagne breakfast at the end, with some tasty food and a drop of bubbly a great way to celebrate what will no doubt have been a memorable trip.

Service with a smile and a proper level of passion, a comprehensive 4-hour experience and unmatched views of the Byron Bay hinterland short of being able to fly yourself make this one of the premier options for Byron sightseeing that’s also ideal for celebrating special occasions.

Location: Hanger 1, Tyagarah Airfield, NSW

If you’re an adrenaline junkie who’s been considering taking the plunge and jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane, then there are few more stunning places in Australia in which to do so than Byron Bay.

Byron’s scenery is pleasant enough when viewed from the ground or the water, but when seen from several thousand feet above the ground it’s truly beautiful – the blue-and-gold coastal aspect contrasts brilliantly with the vast array of greenery alongside it, although it may be a challenge to appreciate it all when you’re dropping from the sky at speeds of around 150km/h.

Long-running staple Skydive Byron Bay provide those with stomachs of iron to embrace this ultimate rush that Byron Bay has to offer, for an experience most say can be truly life-changing.

Starting off with a safety briefing and then boarding the light plane for the ascent into the skies, skydives here are conducted from the height of 14,000 feet.

This is the highest allowable altitude for skydiving experiences in Australia – which typically provides around 60 seconds of free-fall before the chute opens and the more, shall we say, “scenic” portion of the adventure begins.

It’s often difficult for people to express after their first jump which part of the dive is actually the best – the adrenaline rush of the free-fall or the awesome scenery from that high up.

"If you’re an adrenaline junkie who’s been considering taking the plunge and jumping out of a perfectly good aeroplane, then there are few more stunning places in Australia in which to do so than Byron Bay."

While skydiving is an experience that obviously comes with an initial fear factor, particularly for first-time jumpers, the staff here go a long way to helping to calm the nerves with their professional and friendly nature.

They consistently ask if you’re OK, and give a lot of reassurance as they understand this can be a true “leap of faith” for many people taking part.

Equipment-wise, everything is both top of the line, new, sturdy and well-maintained, and you’ll see the skydiving staff pack the chutes before you go – something which can be strangely reassuring in itself!

Skydiving Byron Bay’s drop zone is located relatively close to the centre of Byron Bay (around 10 minutes by car), making access from most accommodation in town a hassle-free breeze without the long travels to faraway drop zones that many other skydiving experiences near bigger cities entail.

As an added bonus, transfers from both Brisbane and Gold Coast hotels are included in the cost of admission which is both convenient as well as a money and time saver, and to top things off this is also one of Australia’s most reasonably-priced skydives.

Combine both of these factors with the physical beauty of the region and Byron Bay may turn out to be not such a laid-back and relaxed destination for you after all!

Location: Tallow Ridge, Byron Bay

A Byron Bay hang gliding flight takes the meaning of a “bird’s eye view” to the next level.

Co-pilot a hang glider with your experienced instructor and see Cape Byron lighthouse and cliffs from the air.

The flights are 30 minutes long with a full safety briefing and no experience is necessary.

Learn the ropes and be up in the air in no time soaring over the Lennox Headland Reserve and Byron National Park under the guidance of your friendly pilot.

The Byron headland is one of the most ideal locations in Australia to give this unique sport a go with beautiful scenery and marine life often spotted throughout your flight.

See pods of dolphins, rays, sharks, large schools of fish and even Humpback Whales from June to October.

Byron Bay Airwaves Hang Gliding School have been taking people up on tandem joy flights for over 35 years now and love sharing this experience with first timers.

The hang gliding experience includes a HGFA trainee membership covering you up to 4 months if you wish to book additional flights or lessons.

Flights operate daily (weather permitting) from Tallow Ridge at Cape Byron Headland.

Flyers can take part from age 10 and under 90 kg and you are welcome to bring your own camera to capture this incredible experience or purchase the inflight video.

Hang gliding is an ideal way to discover the natural beauty of Byron Bay and one experience to add to the bucket list.

Location: 56 Lawson St, Byron Bay, NSW

Much of the area surrounding Byron Bay is a designated Marine Park, with its officially allocated area spanning a robust 22,000 hectares and features a number of standout sights to see, whether it’s the various reefs and coral communities dotted throughout, or the wide array of fish species, rays, eels and more which populate the waters.

Boat tours are hardly the only way to get out and enjoy the beautiful and marine-life-rich waters of this area – activities such as snorkelling and diving are popular here, however one of the best ways to get a comprehensive overview of all its offerings is via kayak due to a combination of factors including accessibility, ease of control and speed.

Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay provide tours into the heart of the Cape Byron Marine Park, with a welcoming, respectful and professional attitude while also being laid-back and friendly.

While some may think that kayaking will be too great a physical challenge, this is not the case here; utilising special sea kayaks designed for stability, they’re people-powered vehicles that are easy to manoeuvre, with the main challenge coming with the initial getting out through the surf breaks and smooth sailing from then on out.

On these kayaking trips, you’ll be guided on a route that is relatively calm – while it’s the open ocean, the kayaks are stable enough and the guides know both the area and the weather well enough that both first-timers and kids should feel comfortable participating.

It’s certainly an interesting location for all ages to explore that doesn’t require a mature mind to appreciate; there’s a massive number of dolphins who inhabit this area, for starters, many of which will often have baby calves with them – an incredibly cute scene.

"On these kayaking tours, you’ll be guided on a route that is relatively calm and the guides know both the area well enough that both first-timers and kids should feel comfortable participating."

Whales can also be spotted during their migratory season (often at a distance), while turtles coming to the surface for air are also a common sight.

During the kayaking tours you’ll also receive plenty of explanation of the local landscape, geography and background on the influence of the region’s Aboriginal culture and traditions (one of the guides is an indigenous Australian).

Several highlights of the Byron Bay area take on a whole new life when viewed from the water – you’ll see the lighthouse atop its cliffs, pass local surfing hotspots and paddle past the multi-million-dollar houses of the rich at the upper-tier Wategos Beach, providing a solid overall view of the region’s layout.

The kayaking tours are comprehensive and last for 3 hours, which tends to hit just the right balance between seeing enough sights and returning before fatigue kicks in, plus it’s a tour that offers a dose of exercise and fresh air rather than sitting on your backside within an air-conditioned coach.

With double/triple kayaks designed for safety and sharing the workload, even the inexperienced can come along and enjoy the scenery here, and when weather conditions are at their best its a fun-filled way to explore Byron Bay from the water.

Location: 9 Marvell Street, Byron Bay, NSW

Byron Bay is home to Australia’s most easterly point in coastal New South Wales surrounded by a marine sanctuary that is just waiting to be explored.

Cape Byron Marine Park runs approximately 37km along the coastline and is the perfect aquatic playground for snorkelers and divers filled with an incredible amount of marine life.

One site, just five minutes from Byron Bay via boat is Julian Rocks Marine Reserve within the Marine Park where both tropical marine life found on the Great Barrier Reef and the deep Southern Ocean converge.

No experience is necessary for snorkelers to join aqua adventures with the Byron Bay Dive Centre. All snorkel equipment plus wetsuits are included in the half-day experience with snorkelers given at least 1 hour in the water to explore the marine reserve.

Among some of the species of marine life that can be found in the beautiful crystal clear waters are sea turtles, an assortment of manta rays, soft and hard corals plus hundreds of species of fish.

"One site, just five minutes from Byron Bay via boat is Julian Rocks Marine Reserve within the Marine Park where both tropical marine life found on the Great Barrier Reef and the deep Southern Ocean converge."

Snorkelers should be able to swim confidently on this day trip and children as young as five can come along for a personal encounter with marine life.

The real magic happens though when you dive into the depths of the ocean to see an even larger collection of marine life such as wobbegong sharks that prefer to lay low on the bottom of the ocean floor.

Join a certified dive with all equipment provided alongside dive crew who love showing off this dive site that has an abundance of marine life no matter what time of year that you visit Byron Bay.

Snorkel and dive trips run three times per day at 8am, 11am and 2pm from Byron Bay.

Cape Byron Marine Park is a unique dive site to Australia with a combination of subtropical habitats that support threatened and protected species and hold a cultural significance to Aboriginal People.

If you are intending to visit Byron Bay then a snorkel or dive trip should be on your top ten things to do here.

Location: 9 Marvell Street, Byron Bay, NSW

Byron Bay’s easterly location make it one of the best whale watching destinations in the country. From June to November these incredible giants of the ocean can be found making their way through the waters off the coast of Byron Bay.

The humpbacks, as they make their way from Antarctica to the warmer climates of Tropical North QLD, are very active at this time, and their inquisitive nature makes them one of the more memorable creatures to encounter.

While, if you’re looking to save money, Byron Bay’s headland offers decent opportunities to spot whales – both the Lighthouse lookout area and Captain Cook lookout offer a decent chance of snagging some views – this obviously can’t compare to getting up-close on the water, and it’s here that local operator Byron Bay Whale Watching come in.

Plenty of pods of humpbacks can be seen throughout this period, and they offer tours that depart directly from Cape Byron making for a swifter and journey out to see the whales than other alternatives.

These whale watching tours feature smaller vessels that are part-rubber and offer 360 degree whale viewing opportunities while still being built for stability.

This smaller boat size also comes with the added benefit of tours being limited to smaller groups of only 12 people, making for a combination of uninhibited viewing and a more personalised atmosphere to boot.

Humpbacks are incredibly playful whale species. There’s plenty of chances to get great photos of them splashing and breaching on a Byron Bay whale watching cruise. They’ll often approach the boat out of their own curious nature making for a truly “face to face” encounter

This smaller boat size also comes with the added benefit of tours being limited to smaller groups of only 12 people, making for a combination of uninhibited viewing and a more personalised atmosphere to boot.

Other wildlife in both the water and air helps to add more to the experience, as a variety of large sea birds can be seen circling the air before diving in pursuit of a meal, and a number of dolphins also call these waters home.

The dolphins can often be seen playfully chasing the boat and playing in its wake or swimming alongside the vessel, while even the occasional marine turtle can be spotted in the waters below.

The whales are still the undoubted stars of the show, however, and the whale boats also come equipped with specially-designed hydrophones that allow guests to hear the mesmerising “song” of the whales as they communicate with one another.

Lastly, while whale numbers in the Byron Bay region are always generally quite high, for extra peace of mind in the (extremely rare) occasion that you don’t spot any whales during the journey, a whale sighting guarantee is offered that provides a free return trip.

Combine all the aquatic life goodness with some great views of the coast and some of its icons from the water, and you’ve got a solid all-round sightseeing experience that makes it a must-do if you’re travelling to Byron Bay during whale season.

Location: 11 Byron St, Byron Bay, NSW

Byron Bay owes a large amount of its history to its origins as a surfing hotspot. Join a Byron Bay surf lesson and learn how to hang ten on your own.

The town has a highly active local surfing community, and at any given time of day a walk down to the shorefront will reveal a number of them busting some moves on the waves or waiting in the swell for the next decent set.

It’s only fitting, then, that many of the first-timers to Byron are looking to take part in some surfing action themselves – however, if you don’t have the skills to give it a go, don’t fret: there’s plenty of chances for surfing lessons here, with local operation Let's Go Surfing being one of the best.

This long-running and well-established surf school combines a friendly and compassionate attitude to newbies to the world of surfing with an in-depth knowledge of local surf conditions to make for a solid all-round lesson.

Let's Go Surfing uses an effective training method that focuses on getting you up on your feet first and navigating the waves second – which is one of the first feelings of true achievement most budding surfers get.

It’s a practical approach to introductory surfing that doesn’t get bogged down in the theory that’s foreign to most beginners in the first place.

Small group numbers and a great student-to-teacher ratio means that the amount of personal attention and instruction for each student is maximised, with a reputation for patience for any questions or uncertainties that may arise.

This long-running and well-established surf school combines a friendly and compassionate attitude to newbies to the world of surfing with an in-depth knowledge of local surf conditions to make for a solid all-round lesson.

The actual act of getting out on the water and obtaining your balance can be tricky at first, however repeating the process a few times and with a little guidance and positivity from your instructors, you’ll be sure to eventually get the hang of it.

These surfing lessons last for 2 hours in small groups no larger than 6 surfers per instructor which is perfect for beginners to receive that personal attention to catch a wave.

A 90-minute private lesson is an alternative option, and while they come at an extra cost the added personal attention can prove to be worth it if you’re having trouble mastering the basics. Let's Go Surfing provides all the necessary equipment such as the boards and wetsuits included in the cost of the surf lesson. All you need to bring is an adventurous spirit.

If you’re looking to acquire some skills that may just give you the bug for surfing and end up turning into a lifetime passion, all amongst one of Australia’s most scenic areas, then a lesson with Let's Go Surfing in Byron Bay may just be right up your alley.

Location: Various Locations, Byron Bay, NSW

If you want to explore Cape Byron and the wildlife-rich waters of the Marine Park but don’t wish to get wet then a scenic cruise is a great option for all ages and abilities.

The four-hour marine experience will take passengers on an adventure from the safety of the boat cruising along the New South Wales Northern coastline from Ballina Wharf.

View the striking coastline including sandstone-coloured cliffs, secluded beaches, the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve and of course the Cape Byron Lighthouse- Australia’s most easterly point.

Not to be outdone by the natural beauty of the Byron Bay Marine Park that stretches from Byron Bay to Lennox Head are the hundreds of marine species that can be found here all year round.

Of course you can see all these things from the mainland, however, via a scenic cruise you will be able to appreciate the cliffs, lighthouse and marine life from a different perspective.

Cruises will also take you far closer to marine life including pods of dolphins, sea turtles and Humpback Whales seen in the region from June to October.

If you are staying in Byron Bay or Lennox Head then you can take advantage of the free transfers to deliver you to Ballina Wharf to join this scenic cruise.