The Ultimate Free Guide to Byron Bay
When I younger, my dream was to one day live in the beautiful coastal town of
Byron Bay which you'll find in the
Northern NSW region. Travelling along the
Legendary Pacific Tourist Drive, Byron Bay is around two hours south of Brisbane and 30 minutes north of Ballina.
Always a beautiful sunset at Belongil Beach, Byron Bay
has become the place I run away to whenever life has gotten too serious or complicated (and it seems I'm not the only one who thinks this way!). It is an amazing place to recharge and enjoy all the natural beauty that is on offer - whether it be the
beaches,
coastal walks,
waterfalls and National Parks; Byron has something for everyone.
Since making my dream come true for the past three weeks, I have sought out everything that is a must do (and for free) in Byron to ensure a guilt-free holiday or day-trip. There's so much more to do for free in Byron than just swimming, snorkelling or surfing in the clear blue waters. So the following list is all the things you can do in Byron Bay for
FREE, no hidden nasties, so really there's now no excuse to not visit!
Enjoy the perfect mix of coast and country at The Farm
Where? 11 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale (at the turn off for Byron Bay on the Pacific Motorway)
Explore what 'The Farm' in Byron Bay has to offer
is easily one of the biggest crowd-drawing places in the relatively small town of Byron Bay. Spanning over 80 acres, The Farm attracts people of all ages to visit whether it be for a short time or the whole day and it's so easy to see why upon arrival!
To the animal and country lovers reading this, you will be in your own little slice of heaven at The Farm. With pigs, chickens, cows, sheep and even bees - whether you're a little kid or a big kid you can enjoy, for no cost, a wander around the farm with a self-guided tour of the picturesque location. For the parents who would like to soak up the sun or relax while their kids enjoy the country delights of The Farm and the playgrounds, there is plenty of sunny and shaded spots to choose from, restaurants to have a bite, a bar and plenty of micro-businesses to browse in. And if you plan your trip to Byron when the timing is right (I go for when the sunflowers are in bloom!) - check out the beautiful varieties of flowers that grow here.
The kids will love all the farmyard animals!
The crowds gather to listen to the buskers at Apex Park, Byron Bay
This has to be one of my favourites since moving here. As soon as the weekend comes around in Byron, the musically gifted take to the stage at
Apex Park in front of Byron Bay's Main Beach. If you can plan your trip between a Thursday to Monday, you will be serenaded by the sweet sounds of buskers as the sun sets. You will be killing two birds with one stone on this one as the sunsets here are ridiculously beautiful with the scenery that surrounds Byron. But back on topic, once the busker has finished up and the sun's set, I've noticed the bongo's start quite quickly after and then for me it's straight to the
Beach Hotel for more live and free musical entertainment!
Take in the view at Byron Bay Lighthouse
Where? Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay
Byron Bay Lighthouse
is one of the best attractions you shouldn't miss when in Byron Bay. To make it free it is best to walk up to the Lighthouse rather than to drive, you'll also probably thank me later for this as the car park is nearly always full and a little bit overpriced. You have the option of two routes; either take the main road and walk up the hill or (my preferred choice) take the scenic route along Wategoes and Little Wategoes Beach all the way to the Cape and up through a fifteen minute bush walk to reach your destination. Along your walk, you can take in the views of the Pacific Ocean from Australia's
most-easterly point on the mainland and maybe even spot some wildlife in and out of the water!
In terms of the wildlife, I always manage to spot wallabies perched up on the hill overlooking the Cape and there is a large pod of nearly 400 dolphins that call the waters off Byron's Cape home. Whales can also be seen along the coastal walk and from the lighthouse between the months of May to November. Keep your eyes pealed for any spouts of water and you may even be delighted by a whale wave during their migration every year.
The view on the walk to Wategoes Beach & the Lighthouse in Byron Bay, NSW
