Good news: you don’t need a car to have a great time in Byron Bay. The town, its best beaches and the lighthouse are all within walking distance, and local buses run to nearby towns. The one thing that is hard without a car is getting out to the waterfalls, lakes and hidden beaches beyond town. Here is how to do both.
Quick answer
Without a car you can walk the Cape Byron lighthouse track, swim at Main Beach, The Pass and Wategos, browse the markets, hire a bike or take a surf lesson. To reach places outside town, like the Killen Falls waterfall, Lake Ainsworth and Broken Head Nature Reserve, join a guided day tour with pick-up from your accommodation, such as Behind the Bay.
Things to do in Byron Bay on foot
1. Walk the Cape Byron Walking Track to the lighthouse
The 3.7 km loop runs from town through rainforest and along clifftops to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, built in 1901 on the most easterly point of mainland Australia. Allow about two hours, go early for sunrise, and look out for dolphins below and humpback whales in migration season.
2. Swim at Main Beach, The Pass and Wategos
Main Beach is right by the town centre and patrolled by lifeguards. Walk east along the sand to The Pass to watch the surfers, then on to Wategos and Little Wategos, two of the prettiest beaches in Byron. Always swim between the flags where there are lifeguards.
3. Catch a sunset
Byron is known for its sunsets. Pack a picnic and head to Main Beach or one of the lookouts on the lighthouse track as the sun goes down over the hinterland.
4. Visit the markets
Byron Bay has a weekly farmers market on Thursday mornings, plus a monthly community market. The markets in nearby Bangalow and Mullumbimby are reachable by bus. Dates and times change, so check the market websites before you go.
Things to do with a bike or a lesson
- Hire a bike and ride the flat paths around town and out to Belongil Beach.
- Take a surf lesson. Several surf schools run beginner lessons on Byron’s gentle breaks and supply the boards.
- Go sea kayaking in Cape Byron Marine Park, where dolphins are often seen.
- Try stand up paddle boarding on calm water. On our tour we paddle on Lake Ainsworth, a freshwater tea tree lake.
Getting around by bus
Local buses run from the Byron Bay bus interchange to nearby towns, including Suffolk Park, Lennox Head and Ballina (route 640) and Bangalow (route 641). Services are infrequent, Opal cards are not accepted, and some buses only take cash, so check the current timetable on Transport NSW before you travel.
The places that are hard to reach without a car
Some of the best spots around Byron are outside town and poorly served by buses: waterfalls in the hinterland, the tea tree waters of Lake Ainsworth, and the bush trails and secluded beaches of Broken Head Nature Reserve. These are where most visitors without a car miss out.
See them on a small-group day tour
That is why we started Behind the Bay. Our small-group nature adventure picks you up from any Byron Bay accommodation at 11am and runs for approximately 6 hours. Every tour includes a waterfall swim at Killen Falls, plus swimming and paddleboarding on Lake Ainsworth, lunch at Lennox Head, and a bush walk through Broken Head Nature Reserve and the Three Sisters area to secluded beaches and a lookout for dolphins and whales. The order of stops can vary with the conditions. You’re dropped back by 5pm at the latest.
Bring your swimmers and a camera. We’ll bring the paddleboards and the playlist.
FAQs
Do I need a car in Byron Bay?
No. The town centre, main beaches and lighthouse walk are all walkable, and bikes are easy to hire. A car, or a tour, is only really needed for the hinterland, waterfalls and beaches outside town.
Can I get to Lennox Head without a car?
Yes, route 640 runs between Byron Bay and Lennox Head, but services are infrequent. Our day tour includes Lennox Head and Lake Ainsworth, with pick-up from your accommodation.
What is the best tour from Byron Bay for solo travellers?
Look for a small-group tour with accommodation pick-up, so you can meet other travellers without worrying about transport. Our Behind the Bay tour is built around exactly that.