With its beautiful beaches and laid back vibe Byron Bay is a great choice for a family holiday. Here we highlight the best things to do in Byron Bay with kids.
Once the hippie capital of Australia, Byron Bay morphed into a popular Schoolies hang out and more recently into a playground of the rich and famous. Its stunning beaches and stylish vibe also attracting an abundance of Instagram influencers, piggybacking off the “Hemsworth effect”.
But is Byron Bay good for families?
In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes. We love Byron Bay. It’s one of our favourite family friendly holiday destinations in Australia.
It has everything we look for for some fun in the sun: great beaches, fab restaurants and a good choice of family friendly accommodation.
It doesn’t have an abundance of family attractions per se, if that is the type of holiday you’re looking for. But the theme parks of the Gold Coast are just an hour and a half drive away, so easily accessible as a day trip.
Byron Bay offers you a fantastic laid back Aussie beach holiday with an abundance of Insta-worthy beach chic style and the odd Buddha breakfast bowl and green smoothie thrown in for good measure.
Here is our pick of the best things to do in Byron Bay for families to help you make the most of your family holiday.
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Table of Contents
Hit the Beach
The beautiful Byron Bay beaches are one of the main draws of coming here. From Main Beach, which is just across the road from the main drag, to the hidden and remote Whites Beach at Broken Head, here are some of our favourite family friendly beaches in Byron Bay.
Click here to read more about The Best Beaches in Byron Bay
- Main Beach – the closest beach to the town centre is a popular spot due to its ease of access, relatively sheltered waters, and the fact it has lifeguard patrols year round.
- Clarkes Beach – an easy walk from town, this beach is expansive with a large shallow area perfect for kids.
- The Pass – a little bit of something for everyone – waves for boogie boarding or surfing, rock pools to explore, lifeguards patrolling during summer, car parking, toilets and even a cafe for drinks and snacks.
- Wategos – one of Byron Bay’s most famous beaches is a beautiful bay of white sand, with a grassy area with picnic tables and toilet facilities.
- Little Wategos – Australia’s most easterly beach. Although it is only 150 meters long, it is well sheltered and so a great spot for a swim and a sunbathe.
- Tallow Beach – this huge long beach is popular with experienced surfers and is great for a dog walk, run or game of touch footy. However, due to its large waves and rip tides, it’s not great for swimming with young children.
- Whites Beach Broken Head – a great option to escape the crowds, it a bumpy drive and a bit of trek to get to, but you will be rewarded with a sheltered cove with rock pools and sea caves to explore.
Cape Byron Walking Track
The Cape Byron Walking Track is a Byron Bay must do. This stunning coastal walk takes you all the way from the centre of town up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse.
The 3.7 kilometre loop takes you through rainforest and across clifftops and rewards you with views of both the ocean and hinterland. Keep a look out for humpback whales during migration season and we also spotted dolphins frolicking in the water below us.
The walk also passes some of Byron Bay’s best beaches: Clarkes Beach, The Pass and Wategos Beach, before making the climb to the lighthouse.
You can grab refreshments along the way at the past cafe and also at the cafe at the lighthouse or pack a picnic.
Most Easterly Point of Australia Mainland
Who doesn’t love a tourist snap? You can reach the most easterly point of Australia by following the Cape Byron Walking Track, or, if you’re feeling lazy, drive up to the lighthouse and wander a little way down the track.
There’s a sign here to pose next to for bragging rights on your photos and it is also a great spot to look out for dolphins and sea turtles in the ocean below.
Visit the Farm Byron Bay
Located just a short drive from the centre of town, The Farm is a real favourite with Byron Bay families and visitors. There’s something for everyone here.
The gorgeous Three Blue Ducks restaurant dishes up paddock-to-plate cuisine in a relaxed and convivial alfresco setting; artisan bakehouse The Bread Social serves up light, buttery pastries, sandwiches and sourdough, while kids will be delighted with onsite gelato house Baylato.
Beyond the delicious food, there are farm animals to meet, plus farm tours, feeding sessions, workshops and school holidays programs.
Crystal Castle and Shambhala gardens
Byron Bay meets Ubud meets Tibet in this hinterland Instagrammers’ paradise located a 25-minute drive from Byron Bay.
Buddhist statues stand watch peacefully among the beautifully landscaped gardens and there are photo opportunities galore.
What’s really impressive are the enormous amethyst geodes and other record-breaking crystals here.
Don’t miss the daily sound healing meditation session, twenty minutes of bliss to zone out to the sound of the crystal singing bowls.
You can see more photos on our Instagram post here.
Circus Arts Byron Bay
if your kids are tired of the beach, book them in for some circus fun at Circus Arts.
Here they can learn to sail through the air on the Flying Trapeze and there’s also an indoor climbing wall, plus kids play space for the little ones. School holiday workshops are also on offer and include ninja and parkour classes.
Minyon Falls
if your family enjoys a good bushwalk, Minyon Falls is a fantastic day out from Byron Bay.
Around a 45-minute drive from Byron Bay including a rough and winding forest road brings you to Minyon Falls Lookout. Follow a short boardwalk from the car park to take you to the lookout, where you can see the falls plunging 100 meters into the gorge below.
A 4.5-kilometre hike through the rainforest brings you to a beautiful pool at the base of the falls. Pack swimming gear and a picnic to enjoy some chill out time before commencing the hike back up to the carpark.
There are also picnic facilities and toilets at the lookout area and another picnic area Minyon Grass picnic area nearby which gives views of the falls.
Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
(formerly Macadamia Castle)
We haven’t been here as it looked like it was a little young for my kids. But if you have younger kids, it might be worth a look in.
Located a short drive out of town, this family fun zone has an animal park with 150 animals, animal encounters, feedings and keeper talks, plus a bird show. There is also mini golf and a treehouse playground.
Byron Bay Family Accommodation
If you are looking for a resort in Byron Bay, there are two main choices that are popular with families:
Crystalbrook Byron
Set in the rainforest, this stunning 5-star hotel has spacious suites with kitchenettes and a beautiful swimming pool perfect for family fun.
It also has a tennis court, lovely restaurant, and a gorgeous spa for mummy me-time.
Click here to check prices and availability for the Cyrstalbrook Byron.
Elements of Byron
Another popular luxury choice in Byron Bay for families, this beachfront resort has gorgeous villas, a beautiful pool, playground, tennis courts and a choice of restaurants.
Click here to check prices for Elements of Byron.
Family Friendly restaurants in Byron Bay
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to good restaurants in Byron Bay. Just be sure to book ahead during peak times.
Here are some of our family favourites:
- The Farm – a real winner with families in Byron Bay, the Farm offers paddock to plate dining at the Three Ducks Restaurant. There is plenty of space for kids to run around, farm animals to visit and onsite gelato shop Baylato is always a hit with the kids too.
- Miss Margarita – everyone’s favourite Mexican cantina offers a funky vibe and great food right in the heart of town.
- Loft – this iconic Byron cocktail bar offers the quintessential Byron vibe, with a menu of sharing food and delicious cocktails.
- Beach Byron Bay – for fine dining with a view, you can’t look past Beach. This stylish restaurant offers Mod Aus cuisine in a stylish breezy beach setting.
- DiVino – beautiful Italian food in a breezy relaxed setting.
- Light Years – relaxed Asian diner with delicious Asian fusion cuisine.
- Top Shop – a favourite for a relaxed breakfast.
Driving to Byron Bay from Sydney? Check out my post The Sydney to Byron Bay Drive for all my recommendations on what to do, where to stay and where to eat along the way.