Broken Head Nature Reserve protects a stretch of coast between Byron Bay and Lennox Head, where rainforest runs right down to a string of small, secluded beaches. Most visitors to Byron drive straight past it.
Broken Head at a glance
- Where: between Byron Bay and Lennox Head, about 15 minutes’ drive south of Byron
- Managed by: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service together with the Arakwal People
- Best walk: the Three Sisters walking track, about 1.5 km return (around 45 minutes)
- Start of the walk: the southern end of the Broken Head picnic area
- Facilities: toilets and a picnic area where the walk begins
- Swimming: the beaches are not patrolled
What makes Broken Head special
Instead of one long beach, Broken Head is a series of small coves tucked between headlands, reached by short walking tracks through coastal rainforest. They feel a world away from Main Beach in town, even on a busy day.
The Three Sisters walk
The Three Sisters walking track winds through the reserve’s rainforest to lookouts over Kings Beach and the rocky outcrops known as the Three Sisters. It’s an easy walk with some steps. Between May and November the lookouts are a good place to watch for migrating humpback whales. On our tours we regularly see dolphins in the water below and wallabies in the reserve, along with plenty of birdlife, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Aboriginal heritage
Broken Head is Arakwal Country, and the reserve is co-managed by NPWS and the Arakwal People. The Three Sisters are part of a local Aboriginal story, and nearby Cocked Hat Rocks is a declared Aboriginal Place. Please stay on the tracks and treat the area with respect.
Tips for visiting
Wear shoes with good grip for the walking tracks, take water, and always check the conditions before you swim. These beaches are not patrolled. Parking at the picnic area is limited, especially on weekends, which is part of why the coves stay quiet.
Explore Broken Head on our day tour
On our tour we walk through Broken Head to secluded beaches and the Three Sisters lookout. We pick you up from your Byron accommodation at 11am for a six-hour day with a small group: a swim at Killen Falls, paddleboarding on Lake Ainsworth, lunch in Lennox Head and a bush walk through Broken Head Nature Reserve to quiet beaches and the Three Sisters lookout. The order of stops changes with the weather, tides and conditions, and you’re back by 5pm at the latest.
Bring your swimmers and a camera. We’ll bring the paddleboards and the playlist.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Three Sisters walk at Broken Head?
The Three Sisters walking track is about 1.5 km return and takes around 45 minutes. It starts at the southern end of the Broken Head picnic area.
Can you swim at Broken Head?
Yes, but the beaches in Broken Head Nature Reserve are not patrolled, so check the conditions carefully and only swim when it is safe.
Can you see whales from Broken Head?
Humpback whales migrate along this coast between about May and November, and the lookouts on the Three Sisters walk are a good place to watch for them.
How do you get to Broken Head without a car?
Broken Head is about 15 minutes’ drive south of Byron Bay. Without a car, the easiest way is a guided tour with pick-up from your accommodation, like ours.