Marking the easternmost point on the Australian mainland, Cape Byron is also famous for being home to one of Australia’s most beautiful lighthouses. Perched atop the headland, the Victorian-style Cape Byron Lighthouse is one of Byron Bay’s most visited landmarks. From the lighthouse, you can follow the track down to the Point. Cape Byron is also an important place for the Bundjalung people, the traditional custodians of Byron Bay. Known for thousands of years as Cavanba, the headland was renowned for its physical and spiritual gifts, as well as being a place for cultural, social and religious gatherings.

Byron Bay is renowned for its vibrant and diverse markets, which offer a unique shopping and cultural experience. Byron Bay Community Market: Held on the first Sunday of every month at the Butler Street Reserve, the Byron Community Market is one of the most popular in the area. It features a wide range of stalls selling locally made products, including arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, homewares, fresh produce, and more. The market also hosts various food stalls, live music performances, and entertainment, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. Byron Farmers Market: Taking place every Thursday morning at the Butler Street Reserve, the Farmers Market is a haven for fresh and organic produce. Here, you can find a wide selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, dairy products, honey, preserves, and more. The market provides an opportunity to support local farmers and producers while enjoying the best of Byron Bay's local food scene. Byron Bay Twilight Market: Held during the summer months (usually from October to March) on Saturday evenings from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. It takes place at Railway Park, showcasing an array of local arts and crafts, fashion, accessories, and food stalls. The market is accompanied by live music, creating a relaxed and enjoyable ambiance as visitors shop, eat, and socialise.

If you miss out on the markets, fear not, Byron is famed for its amazing shopping opportunities – especially for alternative, boho-chic fashion, homeware, arty jewellery and eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives. A little way out of town, the Arts & Industry Estate is also worth a visit, with plenty of pop-up shops and workshops. A 20-minute drive inland from Byron, Bangalow is also known for its independent boutiques and local designers. Or stay in Byron and try out Spell and the Gypsy Collective.

Along with surfing and shopping – and, of course, the laid-back lifestyle – Byron Bay’s café culture is world-renowned. Whether you’re after breakfast, brunch or lunch, or just fancy a caffeinated pick-me-up, Byron Bay’s café scene is on point. From the decor – predominantly white with earthy accents, timber and repurposed pallet furniture, bar stools and occasional pops of colour – to the artisan coffee and the perfectly presented food, Byron’s cafés are the perfect blend of simplicity and luxury. One of the best you can try is Bayleaf, just a stone’s throw from the beach itself.

A couple of kilometres out of town, ‘The Farm’ is an 80-acre operational farm with animals, gardens and on-site workshops, as well as a great café-restaurant and produce store. Home to a devoted community of growers, educators and producers, including a local brewery, the Farm has become a symbol of the town’s passion for sustainable, eco-friendly initiatives. It is well worth a visit when you’re in Byron Bay.

The Cape Byron Marine Park has over 400 species of tropical fish, sea turtles, manta rays and wobbegong sharks.

From May to October, Byron Bay is a prime spot to watch humpback whales as they make their way north for winter.

The hills beyond Byron Bay offer views, wilderness and a rich-farming history. Everything takes longer here, so slow down, bask in the beauty of the landscape and be surprised by its secrets. Information supplied by the Byron Hinterland Hideaways Group.

Here is a brief description of some of the Parks and Reserves the region has to offer. This information has been sourced from the National Parks & Wildlife Services.

Byron Bay is home to many restaurants and cafes. The main streets for dining in Byron Bay include Jonson Street, Bay Lane, Fletcher Street, Lawson Street and the Arts & Industry Estate. Be sure to explore the wider region including Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby and Bangalow, plus there are a number of destination eateries dotted throughout the hinterland.

The guided Stone & Wood brewery tours and tastings provide an in-depth beer experience that’s fun and educational for all levels of beer lovers.