In Detail: The Ultimate 5-Day Itinerary To Byron Bay
Five days to explore everything that Byron Bay has to offer? It’s a perfect amount of time to fit in the must-do activities that make Byron such a perfectly relaxing holiday destination. But it also means you can do day trips, tours and squeeze in more delicious drinks and eats.
What To Do In Five Days In Byron Bay This Spring
Day 1: Byron highlights
Ease your way into the Byron Bay way of life. Today you’ll be enjoying a taster of everything that makes this town so perfect. Your day begins with an early morning walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse. This is an undeniable favourite walk in Byron Bay, and spring is the perfect time to soak in its sparkling scenery. Blue skies, dazzling turquoise waters, and gorgeous dolphins. Be sure to check out our directions to the Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk. If you’re peckish, grab a takeaway brekkie roll from Beach Byron Bay’s kiosk en route.
On your way back, stop at Wategos Beach. Refuel with a coffee from Rae’s (or linger longer and enjoy a boujee lunch at their Cellar Bar). Roll out your beach towel, and take some time to chill with a swim and sunbake on this lovely strip of beach. Back in Byron’s town centre, enjoy a late brunch at a local cafe, walking distance from The Surf House. Some of our nearby favourites include Sunday Sustainable Bakery, Bayleaf, Combi, DIP Cafe and Byron Fresh.
Re-energised, it’s now time for a browse through Byron’s boutiques. And once you’ve stepped outside The Surf House’s doors, it won’t be long before you’re face to face with some of the area’s best! Starting on the Fletcher & Lawson Street intersection, there’s Kivari, Auguste The Label, Ghanda, and Thrills Co. Keep walking up Fletcher Street, and take your pick of the homewares and fashion boutiques, like Hope & May, Marr-kett, Mimosa, Nikau Store, and The Book Room At Byron. Continue to the end of Fletcher Street, where you’ll hit another gem – Mister Zimi. Head right, and you’ll find yourself on Jonson Street, which will take up the rest of your shopping arvo. Can’t get enough of Byron’s shopping scene? Make sure you check out our pick of the best boutiques in Byron and the surrounds!
Rest your legs back at The Surf House, and enjoy a well-deserved drink over happy hour at the Rooftop Bar. It’s then time for dinner at a nearby favourite restaurant. Fortunately for you, there are plenty to choose from (or perhaps, unfortunately for you… as it makes choosing very difficult!). Some of our favourites include Light Years, No Bones, Bang Bang, Da Vino, Karkalla, Balcony, Loft, and the newly opened Moonlight.
Day 2: Arts & Industrial Estate
On day two, enjoy a slow start to the morning and then make your way to the Arts & Industrial Estate. This sprawling area is just a few minutes drive outside of Byron’s town centre, and a true gem! Grab breakfast from Vagabond for delicious plant-based fare and smoothies, Barrio for mediterranean-style fare, or the newly-opened Masa Byron Bay for heavenly croissants. There’s a tonne to explore in this precinct: from artisan creators and hyper-local shops, to designer fashion labels and gorgeous homewares stores, to fitness studios, restaurants, cafes, the famous Byron Bay Cookie Shop, and more. There is also plenty of outdoor lawn space here to sit and enjoy that springtime sun. Once you’ve spent a good while exploring, wander to Stone & Wood Brewery for a tour, tasting paddle, and a bunch of snacks from their menu.
For what’s left of the afternoon, chill out and relax by Main Beach, soaking up some sweet tunes by the buskers that hangout on the grassy area. (Did you know: Tones And I kicked off her career as a busker in Byron!) If you’re feeling the vibe, grab takeaway fish and chips from Fishheads for dinner, and pop into Beach Hotel opposite for drinks once the sun goes down.
Day 3: Day Trip To The Hinterland
Today is one for the day trippers! Hire a car (we have $10 daily car parking available for Surf House guests), and take a day trip to the must-see towns that surround Byron in the Hinterland and up the coast. Where you go depends only on your mood and what you’re into. Take your pick from the below:
Gondwana Rainforest and Minyon Falls
You’ll find this nature-drenched stretch along the ‘Rainforest Way’ – a sensational self-drive route that allows you to discover the Gondwana Rainforest. Some key highlights worth parking for include The Pinnacle Walk in the Border Ranges National Park. This will lead you to a lookout with uninterrupted views of the Rainforests and the sacred Indigenous site of Mount Warning. Another must-visit is Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park. You can take a natural bath at the bottom of this 100m waterfall, or walk the 3-4 hour Minyon Falls hiking track if you’re feeling active.
Bangalow and Newrybar
Bangalow and Newrybar are charming towns, each with gorgeous eateries and shops. In Bangalow, take some time to slowly wander down Bangalow Road, popping into the myriad of eateries, galleries, clothing boutiques, book stores, and gourmet grocery shops along the way. We love stopping by WOODS for a coffee and breakfast, and Ciao, Mate! for Italian antipasto and pizza (vegetarian and vegan options available). For shopping and the ultimate window browsing, walk your way towards The Flower Bar Co (a floral boutique wonderland) and Island Luxe (from dreamy and boujee homewares and interiors pieces).
Newrybar is a town where if you blink, you could well miss it! Don’t be deceived by its size, however. The ‘main strip’ on Old Pacific Highway plays host to some of the best and most talked about hotspots in the region. Harvest Newrybar is an absolute must. Stop by the deli and bakery for gourmet goodies, or book a table for a wonderfully wholesome (and special) lunch or dinner. It’s also a great restaurant for group bookings. Take some time to look around the building and into the produce garden at the back. While you’re in Newrybar, be inspired by the homewares at Newrybar Merchants and take a step back in time at the General Store.
Brunswick Heads
The spring months and Brunswick Heads are a dream combination. Boasting both a terrific swimming beach and river, this area gets super busy in summer, so make the most of it now! What to do in Brunswick Heads? Take your togs out for a swim and sunbake. Eat your way through the town at some of the best restaurants like La Casita and Saint Maries Pizzeria. Or tuck into more humble fare from the famous Bruns Bakery and Hooper’s Burgers, or the great beachy beer garden at the Brunswick Hotel. Check out the famous and hyper-cute Brunswick Picture House which reopened in 2021 after major renovations. Hire a paddleboard, and SUP your way along Simpsons Creek. Trawl your way through Fabulous Mrs Fox, a vintage store that deserves every right to dub itself as fabulous. Soak in the Bruns’ way of life with sandy feet, ‘kinis and a laid back cruise through the town.
Back in Byron, chillax in the lounge at The Surf House or opt for a game of pool up at the Bar. Hop off for dinner at one of our previously mentioned neighbouring restaurants. Otherwise, venture ever-so-slightly further to the Treehouse on Belongil for live music, chill vibes, cocktails and 10/10 woodfired pizza.
Day 4: Beach, Tours and Bites
Start your morning with a brekkie out. Byron Bay General Store, Treehouse on Belongil, Top Shop, Bay Grocer and Folk are all excellent additions to add to your brunch list. It’s now time for the beach! Grab a surfboard or boogie board from The Surf House (complimentary for all guests), and take to the waves. Some of the best beaches in Byron include Main Beach, Belongil Beach, Wategos and Little Wategos, and Clarkes Beach. If you’re on the hunt for epic surf conditions, check out our wrap up of Byron’s best surf beaches.
The afternoon is yours for any tour or activity that suits what your spring self is craving. To get you inspired, here are some of our suggestions:
- Rainforest and gin distillery tour with Cape Byron Distillery
- Surf lessons with Soul Surf School
- Snorkelling tour with Wild Byron or a scuba diving tour with Byron Bay Dive Centre
- Kayaking amongst the dolphins, with Cape Byron Kayaks and Go Sea Kayak
- Guided distillery tour and lunch at Husk Distillery
- Pamper session and ultimate indulgence at Kiva Day Spa
Grab a drink during golden hour at The Surf House’s Rooftop Bar and revel in any of the evening guest activities.
Day 5: Sunrise, Markets and The Farm
Rise and shine to your final morning in Byron Bay. Seize the day and roll out of bed and onto Main Beach in time for sunrise. We promise you won’t regret it! (Good news: The Surf House is only a two minute walk to Main Beach, so you can stay in bed ‘til the last minute!)
After breakfast, check out any markets that may be on in the area. There’s a whole range of markets regularly happening in Byron and the wider hinterland. Often they’ll have local produce, homewares, crafts, fashion, arts, local live music and other artisan goodies.
Make your way to The Farm for an absolute wholesome end to the holiday. The Farm is a working farm, plant nursery, sustainable market garden, restaurant and bakery all rolled into one sunshiney location. Take a tour (guided or self-guided). Here, you’ll see pigs, bee hives, market garden, rotating crops, a macadamia forest (where you can even forage and crack your own fresh macas!), cows, chooks and more. It is an exceptionally beautiful stroll on a sunny spring day. Grab a bite to eat from Three Blue Ducks. Or stock up on local provisions from the onsite bakery and produce store, for a final picnic by Main Beach.
