5 essential Byron Bay activities

It’s not just millionaires who can wake up to wellness by the ocean at Byron Bay. Stay at Reflections Holiday Park Clarkes Beach and the beach is just a short stroll from your bedroom. Choose the accommodation option that suits you. You can pitch your tent here, book a spot for your caravan, or settle into one of the cabins or villas. They come in a variety of configurations, including some that are perfect for couples, and family-friendly options that sleep five people. Just 10 minutes walk from the town centre, Reflections Holiday Park Clarkes Beach is the smart choice for a seaside getaway. The premium villas have been stunningly decorated with art from local artists and come fully equipped with a galley kitchen, two bedrooms and indoor and outdoor dining areas. Following the ethos of sustainability, the cabins have been crafted to blend in with the environment. If you love that vintage feel, Reflections Clarkes Beach also has a Jayco Airstream.

Here on the eastern-most point of the Australian continent, rising early to admire the dawn is practically an obligation. The most popular spot to see the sun rise is Cape Byron, where you can take in 360-degree views and where the lighthouse offers a dramatic focal point for any pictures. Rather avoid the crowds? Head for Wategos Beach instead, where you can enjoy a much calmer start to the day. Whichever spot you choose, don’t forget to take a thermos of tea or coffee with you. Head back to the villa and sit on the verandah with a good book and watch the waves roll along the coast.

Long before it was a global hotspot Byron Bay was a surf town, and board riders from around the world still travel here to hang 10 at the area’s beaches. If you have never given surfing a go before, sign up for a lesson with one of the local surf schools – one taste and you will discover why surfers describe their sport as addictive. There is no shortage of breaks to choose from, but some of the best can be found at Main Beach, Clarkes Beach and Belongil Beach.

One of the reasons Byron is so beloved is its community feel, and nowhere is that more evident than at the area’s many markets. Head out from your cabin and pick up fresh produce at the Byron Farmers Market, held every Thursday morning, or get to know the area’s artists, designers and healers at the Byron Twilight Market on Saturday evenings over summer. With live music and plenty of food stalls, this is a popular night out. Then there is the sprawling Byron Community Market, with more than 300 stalls, held on the foreshore on the first Sunday of every month. Gather your goods and head back to the premium villa where you cook a meal, and sit by the water and enjoy the fresh produce of Byron Bay.

Byron’s bustling dining scene showcases the best of the region’s produce, with a restaurant to suit every mood. There are plenty of options for lovers of plant-powered cuisine, including No Bones Vegan Kitchen and Bar and Elixiba. Alternatively, if you want dinner with a view, check out Rae’s on Wategos or Beach Byron Bay. Prefer to keep things simple? The best burgers in town are found at Main Street Burger Bar, where vegans, pescatarians and gluten-free diners are all catered for.

For more wellness in Byron, you might like to check out this blog The newest wellness offerings in Byron Bay