Brunswick Heads

Brunswick Heads is a beautiful coastal village on the mouth of the Brunswick River. About 15 minutes' drive from Byron Bay, this charming town is on the doorstep of many white sandy beaches such as Brunswick Heads beach, a popular spot for swimmers and anglers. With excellent boating and fishing, inviting pubs and cafés, and delicious fish and chips, the town is a delightful destination year-round.

• Web:

  www.brunswickheads.org.au

Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Fur, feathers, fine food and family fun — Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is full of little surprises! There are lots of native furry friends and cuddly nursery animals, mini golf, train rides, playgrounds and barbecues. There's rabbit petting, face painting, a treehouse, and a reptile display including the local Brown Snake and Death Adder. All safe behind glass, of course. Visit the crocodile exhibit and cuddle a croc. Treat yourself to breakfast or lunch with some great local coffee and delicious food. Enjoy pancakes, homemade cakes and cookies. Specialties include macadamia baked cheesecake and their famous beef burger infused with macadamia nuts. The shop on the premises offers a wide range of gourmet macadamia products and tastings of hot, roasted nuts. There's a fascinating gift shop and a full display of the macadamia nut industry.

• Web:

  byronbaywildlifesanctuary.com.au

• Address:

  1699 Pacific Highway (419 Hinterland Way), Knockrow NSW

• Phone:

  +61 1300 945 354

• More info:

  Formerly known as The Macadamia Castle

Cape Byron Headland & Lighthouse

Cape Byron Headland Reserve offers walking tracks through spectacular beaches and beautiful and rare coastal vegetation. Visit the Cape Byron Lighthouse, built in 1901, above the cliff at mainland Australia's most easterly point. The view is magnificent in every direction, from the Cape Byron Marine Park and vast Pacific Ocean to the verdant hinterland. Look out for dolphins, turtles, wallabies and whales in season. At dawn, marvel at the glorious sunrise.

• Web:

  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/historic-buildings-places/cape-byron-lighthouse

• Address:

  Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay NSW

• Phone:

  +61 2 6639 8300

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–4pm

Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens

A short scenic journey into Byron Bay's hinterland are private botanical gardens filled with extraordinary crystals and subtropical plant life. Walk among beautiful gardens and rainforest on the Buddha Walk, Rainforest Walk or around the labyrinth. The Peace Experience offers an enriching sound-healing bath, meditation session and Kora Walk around the Kalachakra stupa for world peace, a sacred monument that has been blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

• Web:

  www.crystalcastle.com.au

• E-mail:

  info@crystalcastle.com.au

• Address:

  81 Monet Drive, Mullumbimby NSW

• Phone:

  +61 2 6684 3111

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5pm

Kayaking with Dolphins

Kayak with dolphins and whales or snorkel over a hidden volcanic reef with green and loggerhead turtles in Cape Byron Marine Park. Go Sea Kayak, owned and operated by local surf life savers, will take you close to marine life and entertain you with tales of Byron Bay history and Indigenous stories. Spot the majestic humpback whales as they migrate along the coast, and ride the waves at one of Byron's famous beaches on your kayak. This is an experience to remember.

• Web:

  goseakayakbyronbay.com.au/about/spotting-dolphins

• Address:

  Opposite 56 Lawson Street, Byron Bay NSW

• Phone:

  +61 416 222 344

Skydive Byron Bay

Enjoy a scenic flight over beautiful Byron Bay and then jump out of the plane at an altitude of more than 4 kilometres and freefall for an adrenaline-pumping 60 seconds with Skydive Byron Bay. Take in impressive views of surf beaches, the famous lighthouse, the mountains and the coast. No experience is necessary for a sensational tandem skydive, as your expert instructor guides you through to a safe landing.

• Web:

  www.skydive.com.au

• Address:

  Hanger 1, Tyagarah Airfield, Tyagarah NSW

• Phone:

  +61 1300 663 634

Bangalow Chamber Music Festival

An annual tradition in August, presented by the Southern Cross Soloists, this music festival delights audiences with a sublime program of chamber music. Spanning three days, the festival spotlights some of the highest acclaimed international soloists and Australia's most anticipated chamber music ensembles.

• Web:

  www.southernxsoloists.com/bangalow

• Address:

  Bangalow A&I Society Hall, 3 Station Street, Bangalow NSW

• Opening hours:

  Takes place in the middle of August

Bluesfest

Set in the beautiful hinterland of northern NSW, the Byron Bay Bluesfest is an internationally renowned blues and roots music festival held each year during the Easter long weekend. With more than 200 performances across seven stages over five days, the festival showcases music from around the world, and in previous years has boasted the likes of Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and James Brown on the bill. Since its humble beginnings in 1990, Bluesfest has won numerous tourism and music accolades and now attracts more than 100,000 festival goers over the long weekend. Held on 120 picturesque hectares at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, 11 kilometres from Byron, Bluesfest is a family-friendly event, with children’s entertainment and a daily kids’ program on offer.

• Web:

  www.bluesfest.com.au

• Address:

  Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Black Rock Road, Tyagarah NSW

• Opening hours:

  Takes place during Easter week

Byron Bay Writers Festival

This is one of Australia's most celebrated writers' events and recognised for its stimulating program. Held over three days in August, the festival attracts some of the best Australian writers, plus many international authors, and includes panel discussions, book launches, workshops and dinners.

• Web:

  byronwritersfestival.com/festival

• Address:

  Various venues in Byron Bay NSW

• Phone:

  +61 2 6685 5115

• Opening hours:

  Takes place in August

Byron Latin Fiesta

Enjoy four nights and three days of all things Latin dance and music in November. Catering to beginners and seasoned dancers, the festival offers an extensive program of dance workshops with international, national and local instructors. Nightly dance parties feature live bands, DJs and amazing dance performances in a wide range of Latin styles including salsa, samba and cha cha cha.

• Web:

  byronlatinfiesta.com.au

• Address:

  Byron Community Centre, 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW

• Phone:

  +61 413 146 889

• Opening hours:

  Takes place in the beginning of November

Splendour in the Grass

Splendour in the Grass creates its own community close to Byron Bay for a July weekend that is an exciting mix of contemporary performing arts. Past headline acts have included Coldplay, The Strokes, Kanye West, Arctic Monkeys, Devo, Mumford and Sons, and Bloc Party. Loved by music fans as much as by musicians, the festival offers plenty of other attractions beyond the main stages including craft markets, food stalls, an on-site mini shopping mall, and the Little Splendour children's festival.

• Web:

  splendourinthegrass.com

• Address:

  Ngarindjin / North Byron Parklands, Tweed Valley Way, Billinudgel NSW

• Opening hours:

  Takes place in July