The Diving

Byron Bay has some of the best diving in Australia. Home to more than 400 fish species, as well as plenty of tropical creatures like manta rays and turtles, this is also one of the best places to spot whales in Australia.

Those who are interested in sharks will be able to see the Grey Nurse Shark and the Leopard Shark. They’re both seasonal, with Leopard sharks seen in the summer from December to April, and Grey Nurse Sharks from May to November.

The most popular dive site is Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, located just 2.5km (1.5 miles) from Byron Bay, and a 5-10 minute boat ride from the beach itself.

Diving with a Shark, Byron Bay, Credit

Julian Rocks is one of Australia's top ten dive sites. Visibility will range from 5m (16ft) to 30m (100ft), and divers can expect to see leopard sharks, several types of turtle species, manta rays, grey nurse and wobbegong sharks, pineapple fish, leaf scorpion fish, and eagle rays among the 1000 recorded species of fish in the area.

Experienced divers will enjoy The Cod Hole, which is an underwater swim-through. Although it’s not for the claustrophobic, divers can expect to see big moray eels, blue groupers, and grey nurse sharks here.

Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, Credit

The Cray Cave is on the exposed end of Julian Rocks at the south-east end. There is a small swim-through/cave here, but the area itself is a huge mass of rock outcrops. The water reaches a depth of 25m and divers are sure to see grey nurse sharks, sting rays, cod, and turtles.

Beginners and less-experienced divers should head to The Nursery. This dive site is located on the sheltered western side of the rocks, and it’s a nice shallow dive, from 5-12m (16-39ft).

It’s the perfect place for students who are doing their first dive, as well as divers who want to see some of the many juvenile species which use the area as a safe haven while maturing.

Diving Byron Bay, Credit

The Cape Pinnacle is a good dive site for more experienced divers, as the depth ranges from 32-40m (104-131ft). This is the best spot for large fish such as cobia, cod groper, kingfish, jewfish, and wobbegong sharks.

How to get there

The nearest airport to the town is Ballina/Byron Airport, which is around 30 minutes from Byron Bay, at Ballina. Flights regularly arrive from Sydney and Melbourne, and there are also regular shuttle services which provide pick up and drop off services to and from the airport.

For international arrivals, Gold Coast Airport is an hour away at Coolangatta, and flights arrive from New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Flights and car hire are often cheaper for this airport, so it’s a good idea to compare prices online.

An ordinary day in Byron bay, Credit

Where to Eat & Drink

Il Buco is rated as the number one restaurant in Byron Bay on Tripadvisor, and for good reason. At its heart it’s a pizza place, but the small menu features the freshest ingredients, and the pizzas are cooked to perfection. Well worth a visit for anyone who enjoys good Italian food.

For a meal with a view, Byron Beach Cafe is located on the dunes overlooking Julian rocks, and the restaurant has breathtaking panoramic ocean views. Grab dinner on the deck at sunset, but be sure to make a booking as the place fills up fast.

Dip has an all-day breakfast menu, which is extremely popular, and people rave about the pulled pork panini’s, and buttermilk pancakes. Try the coffee, which is reputed to be the best in Byron Bay.

Byron Bay town at night, Credit

Those who enjoy Japanese food will like O-Sushi, which has a sushi train for lunch, as well as plenty of fish and takeaway options. For those who are watching their waistlines, Soulbowl is an excellent and healthy options, where diners can make their own salads and wraps, or order one of the popular options like a chicken caesar wrap or baked potato.

For the best falafel in New South Wales, head to Orgasmic. This tiny restaurant barely advertises, and isn’t exactly sprawling (it’s hidden in the corner of an alley), but the fresh and authentic Middle Eastern food comes in huge portions, with plenty of options for vegetarians as well.

Speaking of vegetarians, both vegetarians and vegans will love Heart and Halo, which serves vegetarian and vegan food at a good price. With different dishes offered every day, it’s a popular place with the locals, and hidden in a little nook away from most of the traffic and pedestrians.

Byron Bay has an excellent nightlife, with bars and clubs galore. It’s the perfect place to relax with a beer after a long day of diving, or dance the night away with the locals.

Cheeky Monkeys is hugely popular with the backpacker crowd, many of whom have heard of it before even arriving in Byron Bay. The place is basically a restaurant/bar which serves $5 meals from 7pm, and things usually get rowdy with entertainment like wet t-shirt contests, ladies nights, and competitions.

Woody’s Surf Shack is popular with backpackers, surfers, and locals, and is said to be the best place for nightlife in Byron Bay. With a large dance floor, and plenty of spots to sit and chill with a drink, time tends to fly in this place.

For those wanting to dodge the backpacker crowd, head to the Great Northern Hotel, which is an old style hotel and pub featuring live music and a laid-back atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to get some pub grub and mix with the locals.

If you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket, try Harvest, a popular watering hole for both locals and visitors. Known for their interesting cocktails, created with native Australian bush and tropical fruits, Harvest also has a boutique wine list with more than 20 wines offered by the class. This is a good place for relaxing in the sun with tapas and a few drinks.

Other Activities

Along with diving, there are a huge range of activities in the Byron Bay area.

Those who don’t mind splurging should definitely consider taking a hot air balloon ride over the bay. While it means waking up at the crack of dawn, the magical experience is well worth it, so be sure to bring a camera.

Surfing in the morning, Credit

Take a walk in Arakwal National Park, which has both stunning scenery and plenty of aboriginal cultural heritage. Teeming with wildlife, it’s never crowded and a good place to spend a few hours walking off all of the vacation calories.

Those looking for rest and relaxation will enjoy the Spa at the Byron, located at Byron Resort. The spa has six treatment rooms, and offers a wide variety of treatments and massages.

The lighthouse, Byron Bay, Credit

Family Friendly

Byron Bay is very family friendly, with plenty of activities available for kids. Sign them up for surf classes, or for a beginners PADI diving classes and they’ll be sure to wear themselves out and be ready for a nap.

Take the whole family on a mountain bike tour, to see some things in Byron Bay that most tourists never get to see, or visit the Pegasus Park Equestrian Centre, which has daily morning and sunset rides along the beaches and in the hinterland, as well as riding lessons.

Tips

Keep an eye out for black snakes if you’re in the bush around Byron, and always be sure to swim between the flags. It’s best to stick to an area with a lifeguard, as Byron is known for large waves. 

Byron Bay, Credit