A three and a half hour drive south, (in good traffic) Byron Bay is a bustling surf hub on the northern NSW coast.
Famous for it’s laid back lifestyle, pristine beaches and famous surf spots Byron Bay has grown increasingly in popularity over the past ten years.
Unfortunately, the increase in popularity has also been accompanied by an increase in prices with some campgrounds happy to ask $70 per night for an unpowered site in peak seasons.
However, there are some great camp spots, and there is definitely plenty to do and see in the area.
Quick Camping spot reviews:
First Sun Holiday Park
Situated smack, bang in the middle of Byron Bay, First Sun is one of the oldest campgrounds in the area. With beach access to Main beach and a 2 min walk from restaurants and shops, you can go without your car for your entire stay. They offer cabins, Hippy huts and campsites.
Rates:
Unpowered: From $55
Powered: From $60
www.firstsunholidaypark.com.au
Discovery Parks
Located just before you come into town, Discovery Parks is a campground offering unpowered and powered camping sites as well as an array of cabins. Aimed at families the park offers a swimming pool, water park and jumping pillow. The facilities aren’t the best with hot water being hit and miss. Offering cheaper rates than the campgrounds in town means there are lots of backpackers and big groups of young people. The pool, waterpark and jumping pillow were clean, in good condition and a hit with Mr 5. Discovery Parks is not the place to stay if looking for some peace and quiet, but a cheap option to see Byron Bay.
Rates:
Unpowered – From $25
Powered – From $45
https://www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au/nsw/north_coast/byron_bay
Clarkes Beach
Clarkes Beach would have to be my favourite out of the campgrounds in Byron Bay. The grounds are clean, the facilities are excellent, and the staff are really friendly. Owned by North Coast holiday parks, the campground offers outdoor movies, kids club and activities during school holidays. Located at The Pass, it’s a great spot for Mum or Dad to get an early morning wave yet still a perfect spot for kids to swim and play through the day. A 5 – 10-minute walk to town, Clarkes Beach is quiet and away from the hustle and bustle without being too far away.
Rates:
Unpowered – from $46
Powered – from $53
https://www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au/park/info/clarkes-beach
Broken Head
Owned by the Arakwal Aborigine Tribe, Broken Head Holiday Park is a few minutes south of Byron Bay, located on one of the most picturesque beaches in the region. The campgrounds offer clean, modern and comfortable facilities and accommodation options range from cabins to camping. The campsites are relatively quiet and peacefully with the staff being super helpful and friendly.
Rates:
Unpowered – From $33
Powered – From $38
www.brokenheadholidaypark.com.au
Lennox Head – Lake Ainsworth
Located 20 minutes south of Byron Bay in Lennox Head, Lakes Ainsworth is a quiet, peaceful family friendly campground. The tea tree lake borders the length of the campground, with a patrolled beach on the other. A quick 5-minute walk will have you in town, and a 5-minute drive will take you the Lennox Head look out. With clean amenities and some of the nicest people you could meet running the grounds, it’s a perfect place to relax and unwind. The surf club sells delicious coffee and some crazy good croissants from a window out the back.
Rates:
Unpowered – From $33
Powered – From $38
https://www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au/park/accomodation/lennox-head/camping
Things To Do:
Visit the lighthouse
Byron Bay is the location of the most easterly point of Australia and the walk up to the lighthouse is well worth it for the view. Parking is $4 (per hour) at the bottom of the hill or $8 at the top. There are a café and toilet facilities on site. Another option is to do the coastal walk from The Pass or Wategos.
Take a drive to Lennox Head
Watch the whales, dolphins, turtles and sometimes sharks from the headland.
Markets
There are plenty of markets around the Byron Bay area. The Bangalow markets are on the last Sunday of every month. Lennox Head hosts markets every Sunday morning and the Byron Bay Butler street markets are the first Sunday of every month.
Waterfalls
The Byron Bay hinterland offers up some gorgeous scenery and spectacular waterfalls! Minyon Falls and Killen Falls are two worth checking out.
Beach
So many beaches to choose from! Wategos and The Pass are surfers favourites but are also beautiful, and the shallows are usually calm enough to swim and play. Broken Head is another spectacular and quieter beach.
Stone and Wood Brewery
The popular Stone and Wood beer is born and brewed in Byron Bay. They offer a good value tasting plate for $15 as well some great food.
Broken Head & surrounding national park
If you have a bit of time to kill, the national park to the south of Broken Head offers some beautiful uncrowded bays. A great spot to get away from the crowds but be sure to allow a few hours for the visit as it is a bit of a walk around the headland and down to the beaches.
Shopping
So many shops! The middle of town is a hub of shopping with some of Australia’s best designers have storefronts in town. Don’t like the crowd or the exorbitant price tags, take a visit to the arts and industry hub. There are plenty of shops and cafes with some local artists and designers having storefronts at their studios and workshops.
Surf/Learn To Surf
Byron Bay is a great place to give surfing a go. There are plenty of surfing schools to choose from but one worth a mention is Rusty Millers surf school. Rusty Miller is an old surfing champion who set up base in Byron over 20 years ago. With the only permit for the pass Rusty offers lessons to no more than groups of four. A truly authentic and enjoyable surf experience that’s less about getting numbers and more about creating memorable surfing experiences. For keen surfers, there are so many spots to choose from to suit all levels and styles. From the mellow peelers at The Pass to the heavier waves at Lennox.
