Byron Bay

Byron Bay has a diverse and vibrant arts community and there is plenty of things to do and see.

A Vibrant and Diverse Arts Community at Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a haven for the alternative lifestyle which by its very nature creates a diverse and vibrant arts community with a community that has more craftspeople and artists than any other area in the country.

Dolphins and Humpback whales frolic off the beaches off Byron Bay and you can still find Indian cotton clothing and tie-dyed t-shirts in the tourist shops. It is so far removed from the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast which is just North across the Queensland and New South Wales Border.

Great Surfing at Byron Bay

Byron Bay has miles and miles of beaches that attract the casual and more serious surfers alike. It's a friendly and tranquil place where its not uncommon to walk for miles along the shoreline without coming across another person. With such a sheer range of beaches the surfing ranges from huge super swells for the super keens surfers to gently rolling waves for the weekend surfer.

Children love playing in the shallows on miniature surfboards which can be rented just about everywhere, and are often provided free in hotels.

Humpback Whales and Dolphins

Like many places in Australia the beaches are a huge attraction, but when you want a change from surfing and swimming there is a lot to see and do in and around Byron Bay.

Dolphins, turtles and manta rays are commonly sighted around Byron Bay and from each year between May and August humpback whales pass Cape Byron on their migratory passage North from Antarctic to the Great Barrier Reef for the mating season.

World Heritage Rainforest

On the walk around the Cape itself you will often come across a herd of wild goats who have made their home here at Byron Bay for the past 80 years.

But the best place of all if you are a nature lover is the fabulous rainforest of the Border Ranges National Park, which is World Heritage listed and arguably one of the most beautiful areas in Australia and is less than an hours drive from Byron Bay.

Plan on spending the day as there are a number of picnic areas and plenty of well-marked trails to some amazing natural sites like the the Antarctic Beech trees which are over 2000 years old. There are a number of guided tours through the areas or hire a car and tour the area yourself.