Chill Out in Byron Bay

Need to relax? Get away from all? Or do you need a place to chill out? Then chill out in Byron Bay. To me, it’s like nowhere else in Australia and probably nowhere else in the world.

Known as a great place to learn how to surf, it’s also home to the most easterly point in Australia.

This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use these links. It doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps me maintain this site. Thank you.

If you are travelling around Australia, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.

Need a Car?

If you want to book a car, you can try using one of these car rental websites, EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars, Expedia or RentalCars.

Need Accommodation?

Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.

Subscribe to my blog and keep up-to-date as I provide more information on my experiences travelling.

All prices and times were correct when this was written or updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.

Do you want to contact me for more information on this blog or another? You can by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

Byron Bay Township

There are many places to eat on and off Jonson Street, the main street in Byron Bay. As a compact place, Byron Bay is so easy to walk around, and that is just what I did.

I stayed at the Cape Byron YHA, Byron Bay, which is a 2-minute walk to the road to the lighthouse, and a great place to make new friends and chill out. It’s two blocks back from Jonson Street and only a 5-minute walk to the beach.

Chill out in Byron Bay Beaches

The first walk I did was to Byron Beach to Fisherman’s Lookout. This is about 2km in length and a great walk along the beach.

Surfers and Dolphins dot the sea, and this is also a great place to view the sunset.

Wategos Beach

Wategos and Little Wategos Beach are the next beaches heading around the headland. Not only are these great beaches but also smaller and less crowded, although they are still popular.

Wategos Beach can be reached by either the road or the track. A popular place to eat, drink and surf, it’s also a nice place to stop on your walk on the coastal track.

Tracks Around the Headland

You first walk up the road to the Fisherman’s Lookout, then the path starts in the car park. This path has a lot of steps going up, and as I’d watch the locals run up, I realised how unfit I was.

Remember to put on and bring your sunscreen as well as drink and bring plenty of water.

The track will take you past Wategos Beach, and a turnoff, further along, will take you down to Little Wategos Beach.

From here, it’s up to the Most Easterly Point in Australia and its views over the ocean. From June to November, you may even be lucky enough to see Humpback Whales heading north or south on their journey.

The track then heads up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, the most iconic piece of architecture here.

This is where you can see forever across the ocean as well as look out over the other side to Tallow Beach. If the conditions are good, this is where the hang-gliders take off from.

When heading back down to town, you can either walk down the road or there is a track.

This track is sandier and not as popular or well-formed as the coastal track, so you have to be more careful and have suitable footwear.

This is a nearly 4km loop walk that can take as long or as short a time as you’d like.

Sunrise & Sunset at the Most Easterly Point in Australia

It seems to be the thing to do, go up to the lighthouse at sunrise and sunset.

The first time I went up for sunset, it was a Sunday night, and I learned my lesson very quickly, everybody goes. For sunset, get there early.

I ended up back at Fisherman’s Lookout for sunset. There were still a few people around but nothing compared to the lighthouse.

It is easy to walk up to the lighthouse from the town, especially at sunset as it’s very hard to get a car park.

Sunrise isn’t as crowded as sunset, but it’s still a popular place to go.

It took me 30-40 minutes to walk up using the road. Take a torch as there isn’t much light this time of day, and you should arrive at least half an hour before sunrise.

This is a magical place to be for the sunrise. As you see the sun appearing on the horizon over the sea, the colours in the sky change to pastel colours.

When you’ve finished up here, you can go back down to town via the coastal track, which isn’t so busy at this time.

Byron Farmers Market

On a Thursday between 7 am and 11 am, you can try the local delicacies at the Byron Farmers Market.

Whatever time of year you’re visiting, the Farmers Market will have the in-season local fare to tempt your taste buds.

From cakes to fruit and vegetables to honey to oysters, you’ll find them all here and more as well as certified organic produce.

Where It Is

Butler Street Reserve between 7 am and 11 am.

Where I Stayed

Cape Byron YHA, was where I stayed. It’s a great place to base yourself and chill out in Byron Bay. From here, I could easily walk around the city, beaches and up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse. I had a private room with an ensuite as I wanted time to myself and to be able to get up extra early to see the sunrise at the lighthouse without disturbing anyone.

I also wanted accommodation with parking as the Byron Bay Shire charges for parking everywhere. There is limited parking here underneath the building, and street parking overnight, but you have to pay during the day.

Facilities

Where it is

You’ll find Cape Byron YHA on the Corner of Byron and Middleton Streets in Byron Bay.

Conclusion

You’ll be surprised how great you feel when you chill out in Byron Bay. It’s an amazing area to explore. You could learn to surf, relax on the beach or walk the many tracks around the headland.

Have You Found this blog helpful? Then why not buy me a coffee?

Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.

Travel Resources

• Flights, Accommodation & Car Hire – You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Hopper and WayAway, which has 5% cashback.
• Car Hire – Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
• Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe – Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and train travel in the UK and Europe.
• Travel Insurance – is your number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master and Insubuy are what I use.
• Attractions – buy before you leave home with these great sites, Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
• House Sitting – is a great way to save on accommodation and Trusted Housesitters has house sits all around the world for you to try.
• Photo Editing – is a great way to bring your photos to life and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
• Visa Applications – apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
• Sim cards – Try Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).

If you want more, try my Travel Links and Resource page.

Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!