scubish.com: Travel information for Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a coastal town on the far North Coast of the Australian state of New South Wales, located just off the Pacific Highway, approximately 800 km north of Sydney and 175 km south of Brisbane. Nearby Cape Byron is the easternmost point on the Australian mainland.

Understand

Byron Bay is famed worldwide for its surfing beaches, scuba diving , whale watching , rural beauty and a laid back lifestyle. Byron Bay and its surrounding area have a population of about 30,000, the area mainly deriving its income from tourism (1.7 million+ visitors per annum) and farming. A new focus are the many thriving home-based businesses focus on alternative, cultural and knowledge industries, with a growing population of artists, writers and filmmakers.

See

East Coast International Blues & Roots Music Festival . Held at Byron Bay each Easter.

Splendour in the Grass Music Festival . Alternative to mainstream festival over 2 days in July (winter) each year.

Schoolies in Late November/Early December celebrating school leavers from across Australia

Surfing
Byron Bay is known to have a good surf with many varying beaches within the city limits:

Byron Main, the most known beach in Byron, usually has a smaller swell which breaks close to shore. At the southern end of the Byron Main beach lies "The Pass." The Pass can be very crowded, along with Byron Main on summer days but is perfect for long boarding with wide rollers that go forever.

Watego's Beach is just around the corner from "The Pass" and Byron Main. It is somewhat hidden from view, lying on the north side of the Byron point. Watego's is usually less crowded and has a bit larger surf then "The Pass." The surf runs west towards Byron Main and takes a bit more skill to paddle out to then "The Pass" or the main beach.

Tallow's Beach is the least known and least used Byron beach. Tallow's Beach is on the south side of the Byron headland and generally has a larger surf along the cliffs of the Byron headland. It is very uncommon to see tourists along this beach because the only way you can see the beach from anywhere in Byron is from the top of the Byron headland.

It is not uncommon to surf among pods of common dolphins as the evening winds down in Byron, especially if you are surfing Watego's or "The Pass."

Diving and snorkeling

Byron Bay has some of New South Wales's best scuba diving. Most diving is at Julian Rocks, only five minutes off shore. The depths around Julian Rocks are 5-25 meters, and it's suitable for snorkeling. You can dive with the following operators:

Byron Bay Dive Centre runs diving and snorkeling trips to Julian Rocks. Certification is available through PADI, SSI and NAUI. Non-certified dives are available after taking a short SSI Passport Diver course.

Sundive has multiple daily trips to Julian Rocks, and offers PADI dive certification.

Sleep

You'll find a variety of places to stay, from budget to luxury, in and around Byron. Prices vary, based on location, facilities and fixtures. Off season rates can be half the price of peak season. The following information can be used as a rough guide to peak season rates:

Houses & Cottages : Absolute beachfront is usually the most expensive, with rates of about $3,500 up to $8,000+ per week. Houses & Cottages in other parts of Byron start at about $1,700 per week.

Apartments : One bedroom apartments in a resort styled complex (onsite management) start at about $2,100 per week. One bedroom apartments in a regular complex (without onsite management) start at about $1,300 per week.

Hotels / Motels : Start at about $150-$200 per night per double.

B&B / Guesthouse : There's quite a variety - from converted workman's cottages to purpose built beachfront luxury. Rates range from about $140 to $450 per night per double.

Hostels : There are a number of hostels / backpackers in Byron Bay. Rates start at about $20 per night for a dorm.

Here are some accommodation providers:

Byron Bay YHA is a hostel with a barbecue, swimming pool and television room.

Cape Byron YHA is a hostel with a barbecue, swimming pool and television room.

Planula is a bed and breakfast 3km from Byron Bay's town. It focusses on scuba diving, both the hosts are divers.

Nestled amongst green valleys and undulating hills in the subtropical Byron Bay hinterland near Bangalow, Gaia Retreat and Spa is the ideal place to renew, refresh, and restore your mind, body and soul.

Surrounded by lush National Park rainforest, and situated next to Broken Head beach, this park is in a truly beautiful location, and suits those who prefer to stay a little further out from the township of Byron Bay. Body board and surf board hire available. Reception 7.30am-7.30pm.

Tallow Beach Motel , by the beach near Byron Bay, is located 5 minutes south of Byron Bay township right across the road from the beach. Pristine beaches, age old rainforests, colorful locals and a lifestyle all of its own make Byron Bay a jewel in Australia's holiday crown. Ideally located minutes from Byron the Tallow Beach Motel has motel style accommodation from an affordable $75 per night.

Get out

Explore the 'Rainbow Region' - rural towns and sleepy villages, set in lush and particularly scenic countryside. The area is famed as a haven for alternative culture.

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Byron Bay is a town in the state of New South Wales on the eastern most point of the mainland of Australia. The town is the nucleus of Byron Shire, which has in excess of 30,000 people (ABS est. 2003). Captain James Cook named the area Byron after John Byron.

Byron Bay is located about 800 km north of Sydney and 200 km south of Brisbane. Cape Byron, a headland adjacent to the town, is the eastern-most point of the continent of Australia, and is part of a giant volcanic crater. The Cape Byron lighthouse was opened in 1901, and has the most powerful beacon in Australia. The town has several beautiful beaches and it is a resort popular with both domestic and international tourists, including backpackers, who travel along the Australian coast.

The town is popular with residents from all socio-economic backgrounds and walks of life. It is famous for its laid back and alternative lifestyle, but also has a higher proportion of Baby Boomers (27%) than any other town in Australia.

Events such as yoga retreats, pagan gatherings and music festivals, including the East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival and Splendour in the Grass, are based in Byron Bay. The area is also noted for its wildlife, with the whale watching industry a significant contributor to the local economy.

Annual events

East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival (During Easter 'break')

Splendour in the Grass

The Byron Bay Writers Festival

Byron Bay Film Festival

Byron Underwater Festival

Radio Stations

2LM 900 AM (commercial)

Triple Z FM 100.9 (commercial)

JJJ 96.1 FM

Radio National 96.9 FM

Classic FM 95.3 FM

ABC Northern Rivers 94.5 FM