Byron Bay is a must-see when touring Australia. Set on the lush, green coast of New South Wales, it boasts rainforests teeming with life and beaches trimmed with golden sands. It’s also a lively hub of shopping, culture, and culinary experiences. We’ve compiled a day-long trip that will take you to all of the highlights of Byron Bay, from learning about its Aboriginal history to walking its pristine beaches, and ending with an extraordinary meal with an even more extraordinary view. Follow along for a perfect day in Byron Bay.

Byron Bay has a long and interesting history, and no one is better able to teach you about it than Delta Kay. Delta is an Arakwal Bundjalung woman, native to Byron Bay. She hosts an Aboriginal Cultural Tour of Cape Byron (known as ‘Walgun’, or ‘shoulder’, in the local language). The tour will take you on an easy walk around the cape, pointing out significant places and artefacts, sharing traditional stories about the land, and showing you local plants used for medicine and food. You’ll get to learn some of the Bundjalung language and even taste some bush tucker.  

The tour begins at The Pass, which is less than 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of town. Parking is paid and this area tends to be busy, so we recommend getting there early to find a spot

Now you know some of the history of Byron Bay, it’s time to enjoy its modern town centre. Drive to Main Beach and pause to appreciate the cresting waves and fine, powdery sand. Then, walk along the main strip of shops. You’ll find everything from jewellery to rugs to art and artefacts. This is the perfect time to pick up some unique souvenirs for your friends at home, like a magic crystal or a hand-crocheted bag. If you get hungry, you can return to the beach for a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and enjoy it while sitting on the warm sand.

Once your shopping bags are full, and you’ve been walking around in the sun all day, you’ll be craving a swim. Take an easy 15 minute drive out of town and past the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse to Wategos beach. Wategos is stunning, with calm, clear waters that you can often see bottlenose dolphins playing in. Sheltered from larger waves by the headland, you’ll be able to take a relaxing, warm dip without being thrown around. We recommend bringing a snorkel or goggles to take a peek at the local coral and fish. If you’re ready for a bit more exercise, you can take the stairs at the end of the beach up to the lighthouse, which is the perfect place to take in a sunset.

Finish the day with an indulgent meal and a view of the water. Raes on Wategos is a local institution, known for its exquisite modern Australian menu and distinct setting. Raes is a white-washed boutique hotel with a tropical garden, free-form pool and glass doors for a nearly uninterrupted view of the beach. The hotel is very in demand and quite expensive, but you can still enjoy its architecture when you visit to eat. The restaurant’s menu uses local ingredients and has a slight Mediterranean influence, except for the Iced Vovo, which is a dessert based on a classic Australian biscuit. Savour your meal while you look out at the water and take a mental (or real) snapshot of your day in Byron. (Make sure to book in advance if you want to secure a place at Raes, as tables are very in demand. And, if you decide to drink, make sure you have a designated driver with you.) 

To make your trip to Byron Bay as seamless as possible, book a car with Dollar. Pick up and drop off your vehicle at the airport for less difficulty and more time spent enjoying this magical coastal town.