Beat the chill: 15 Things To Do In Byron Bay This Winter
Looking for a place to defrost and thaw out this winter? Ready to pack away the puffer jacket and travel to someplace warm? Well, aren’t we all! While some areas of Australia are starting to feel the chill, others are continuing to shimmer in glorious sunlight and blue skies. One such place: Byron Bay, in the NSW North Coast.
If you’re searching for a winter holiday under the sun this 2021, setting your sights on Byron is a bright idea. You’ll experience a Byron without the mass crowds, but still with the best beaches, bangin’ cafes and restaurants, and blue skies that make whale-watching from the Byron Lighthouse walk just that much more magical.
So whether you’re after a 3-day getaway for a breezy long weekend, or you’re spending a week in Byron Bay for some rest, retail therapy and restaurant-hopping, we’ve put together our must-dos for your Byron holiday this winter.
And of course, for when you’re ready to hit the pillow between activities, The Surf House is ready and waiting. As one of Byron’s newest accommodation experiences, you can enjoy an affordable range of recently renovated rooms, Byron’s only Rooftop Bar, and so much more. All just 50m from the beach.
Byron Bay Guide 2021: 15 Things To Do in Byron Bay This Winter
1. Visit Local Breweries and Distilleries
Spend an afternoon at the first brewery to have opened in Byron Bay, Stone & Wood. Or if you’re lucky enough to be in Byron at the start of June, don’t miss their annual music & beer festival on June 5! Drive up north to just west of Kingscliff, and you’ll find Earth Beer Company in a repurposed industrial packing shed with epic views overlooking Mount Wollumbin. A brewery tour (including a tasting paddle, taster of their latest release, a 45-minute info session and exclusive discount codes) will set you back just $30 bucks. Closer to Byron, is Wandana Brewery in Mullumbimby. Here you can expect small batched brews, local food trucks, live music, DJs and Sunset Sessions. They also serve up wines, cider, gluten-free beer and non-alcoholic drinks too.
2. Dine at Byron’s Cosy Restaurants
For cosy, dark interiors and warming banquet menus that’ll warm your stomach, book a table at Bang Bang. If the sound of BYO and Italian food make you hungry, you’ll want to have dinner at The Italian. This is a perfect one for couples (start with an antipasto, and be sure to share pizzas!) or groups (try to get the booth!). Always a warm vibe, with some of the best seats in Byron, The Balcony is a winter must. Top tip! Take advantage of their Pasta Pop Up nights every Monday: 2 pastas and wine for just $30.
3. Warm Up With Happy Hours and Cocktails
It’s time to toast to your brilliant decision of escaping to Byron! Take advantage of The Surf House’s Happy Hour atop Byron Bay’s only rooftop bar. Everyday from 3-6pm, quench your thirst with $5 beer, wine and spirits, before sipping on one of our special edition winter cocktails in collaborations with Brookie’s Gin. (To sweeten the deal? You’ll also receive a complimentary drink token when checking in to The Surf House!). Miss Margarita will have you sorted for chilli-infused margaritas, or get bar-hopping at the myriad of dreamy bars shaking up Byron’s best cocktails.
4. Unwind and Rejuvenate With A Pamper Session
Indulge in some heavenly time out at The Kiva Spa in Mullumbimby. Their Bathhouse is warming in winter, cooling in summer and magical in the rain. With hot hydrotherapy spa pools set in the garden, a wood fired sauna, a hammam steam room, plunge pool, and meditation garden, the Bathhouse is the oasis your body’s been craving this winter. $30 for 1 hour of Bathhouse use // $95 for a 1 hour massage.
5. Drive Out to the Hinterland & Neighbouring Towns
Hire a car and spend a day exploring the wider Byron Hinterland and neighbouring towns along the East Coast. A particularly perfect option for a rainy day! Inland, towns like Newrybar and Bangalow are charming with gorgeous eateries and shops. Other places to check out on a drive include Brunswick Heads (check out for any upcoming shows at the Brunswick Picture House), Lennox Heads, Suffolk Palk and Kingscliff.
Did you know! Here at The Surf House, we have undercover, onsite parking available for just $10 per day for guests.
6. Escape The Rain at Byron’s Boutiques
We hope you’ve left room in your suitcase. Some of the world’s most loved fashion brands are based right here in Byron (with dreamy boutiques to match), so you’ll want to check them out. Add Spell, Arnhem, Rowie and St Agni to your list! Take some time to meander in and out of Jonson St, where you’ll come across gorgeous homewares shopping, cosy bookstores, Byron Bay Cookies flagship store, and more!
7. Keep Active
Re-energise and keep active at Byron’s gyms and studios. Bende is a stunning space offering mat and reformer classes in an indoor/outdoor area that makes the most of Byron’s sub-tropical weather. Byron’s only climbing wall offers casual belay sessions for just $14. And you can always rely on F45 to rid the toxins of any cocktail (over-)indulgences.
8. Make the Most of the Region’s Year-Round Markets
It wouldn’t be a proper trip to Byron without a visit to at least one of the area’s local community markets. No matter the weather, you can rely on these markets for fresh produce, hot coffee and beautiful, Byron vibes.
- Byron Farmers Market – every Thursday from 8:00am – 11:00am.
- Mullumbiby Farmers Market – every Friday from 7am – 11:00am.
- Bangalow Farmers Market – every Saturday from 8:00am – 11:00am.
- Byron Bay Beachside Market – Saturday 10 July 202, 8:00am – 3:00pm
9. Take an Underwater Adventure
Though the water might be a touch chillier, there’s nothing a good wetsuit won’t fix! And with less people sharing the water, you’re going to have more space for your surfing, swimming, or underwater adventure. Hire out one of The Surf House’s complimentary surfboards or boogie boards and hit Main Beach (just 50m from our doors). Or sign up for a sea turtle snorkel adventure with Byron Bay Dive Centre.
10. Dress up for The Balcony’s Christmas In July Event
Always the provider of fun events and atmosphere in abundance, The Balcony are hosting a Christmas in July Event this year. Think: Christmas Sweaters, Cocktails & Feasts, all served up from the 20 – 26th July, 2021. Keep your eye on their website for all the details. Get merry beforehand, with a Brookie’s Gin cocktail or Happy Hour vino at The Surf House’s Rooftop Bar.
11. Spell Designs Private Styling Experience
Indulge in a fashion experience you can’t get anywhere else, at the world famous Spell Boutique. Bookable for up to four guests, you can join in for an intimate in-store shopping experience at the mezzanine of their flagship Byron Store, overlooking the vibrant shop floor. You’ll get to browse their latest styles, receive personalised styling advice from the Spell team, and there’ll be nibbles & drinks provided on arrival. Minimum $500 gift card required for booking a 1 hour session.
12. Spend a day at Byron’s Habitat Retail & Lifestyle Precinct
Hang out for a full morning, afternoon or day at the Habitat Retail and Lifestyle Village. For shopping, stores like OneTeaspoon, Habitat Collective and FAE Swimwear are some of our favourites. You can grab breakfast, lunch and healthy smoothies at Vagabond, or dinner or drinks at Barrio. And keep an eye out for the precinct’s upcoming events (like their regular Habitat Fashion Flea Market!).
13. Lighthouse Walk & Sunrise
Rail, hail or shine… the Cape Byron Lighthouse walk is a must! Waking up to the very first sunrise in mainland Australia is sure to warm your senses, and the walk up and down will get your heart rate pumping. Look out for whales and dolphins along your walk, and on the way back, be sure to stop at Rae’s for a hot, well-deserved coffee.
14. Reconnect at The Crystal Castle
If you find yourself feeling a little lost, rundown or out of balance at this time of year, you’re not alone. Reconnect and add a dose of positive, healing energy to your Byron trip with a trip to The Crystal Castle. Home to the biggest and most stunning crystals in the world, a day spent here is the ideal opportunity for connection to yourself and nature.
15. Byron Writers Festival
From Friday 6 August to Sunday 8 August, you can hear from an incredible lineup of writers for a three-day festival of ideas, conversation and storytelling. Currently, some of the leading speakers include award-winning journalist and Phosphorescence author Dr Julia Baird, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and activist, historian and acclaimed author Tony Birch.
Book your accommodation at The Surf House for your winter getaway in Byron Bay this winter.
