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12 Reasons Byron Bay is a Great Family Destination

By Craig | February 19, 2019 | This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Read our Disclosure.

Byron Bay is famous for its beautiful beaches and alternative lifestyle, the people watching here is first class, but it’s also the perfect place for your next family holiday.

When you first think of Byron Bay, the people that spring to mind are surfers, the spiritually minded, spa lovers, yogis, backpackers and those trying to find themselves.

Byron Bay, Australia
view from Clarkes Beach Caravan Park

But what about kids?

Does this small coastal town in northern NSW have anything to offer children?

Happily, after extending our visit to Byron Bay to two weeks, we discovered it has so much to offer children and is a place that will delight and calm their spirits.

Table of Contents

  • 12 Reasons Byron Bay is great for families
    • 1. Easy waves for kids to learn to surf
    • 2. Campgrounds on the beach
    • 3. Best pancakes in the world
    • 4. Get a little bit zen at the Crystal Castle
    • 5. Evening fire-throwing shows
    • 6. Easy and fun coastal walks
    • 7. Beautiful beaches to play on
    • 8. The Byron Bay Markets
    • 9. Surrounding towns to explore
    • 10. Family friendly food
    • 11. Live music at Byron Bay Main Beach
    • 12. Free juggling and hooping fun
    • Plan Your Trip to Byron Bay
      • Accommodation in Byron Bay
      • Fun and Popular Tours in Byron Bay
      • Flights to Byron Bay
      • Car Rental
    • Save this to Pinterest:

12 Reasons Byron Bay is great for families

1. Easy waves for kids to learn to surf

The Pass, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

We met many young kids riding the surf each day with their parents. Byron Bay Main Beach, Wategos Beach and The Pass have beautiful, clean surf breaks, which are perfect for learning and for kids to build up their experience and confidence.

For lessons check out Mojo Surf, Go Surfing Byron Bay, or Style Surfing Byron Bay.

2. Campgrounds on the beach

Clarkes Beach, Byron Bay, Australia
Clarkes Beach

Your kids will love walking from their tent, caravan or cabin straight onto the beach from Clarkes Beach Holiday Park.

This park has to be in one of the best locations in the world. We loved sitting at the viewing deck and communal barbecue in the evening, watching the sunset as the girls played with their new campground friends.

3. Best pancakes in the world

Pancakes at the Macadamia Castle, Byron Bay, Australia

Just out the back of Byron off the Pacific Highway are possibly the BEST pancakes in the world at the Macadamia Castle.

Seriously, they are sooo good. Your kids will also love venturing out the back to visit a wide assortment of farm animals, play a round of mini-golf, or enjoy a short train ride.

4. Get a little bit zen at the Crystal Castle

Crystal Castle, Byron Bay - Australia

My girls loved going to the Crystal Castle, this was one of our Mummy & Daughter dates.

I arrived in a stinky mood and walked out feeling calm and happy. That’s the effect of this place that has a halo of healing energy around it thanks to the hundreds of crystals in gardens, in healing grids and on show throughout the castle.

It’s a really fascinating and calming way to spend the day.

Buddha Statue at the Crystal Castle, Byron Bay

5. Evening fire-throwing shows

Head down to Byron Main Beach in the evening and enjoy a bit of take away dinner while watching a few fire-throwing shows put on by some locals to entertain the kids. It’s also a nice time to enjoy a bit of time out as they sit riveted.

These guys operate on a tips only basis.

6. Easy and fun coastal walks

We love hikes and coastal walks with our kids. The Byron Bay Lighthouse walk is a fantastic walk from Main Beach to the lighthouse that is pretty easy for kids to make.

If you have to, bribe them with an ice cream from the Lighthouse Café once they reach the top. They might get to see dolphins or whales along the way (if they’re in season) or perhaps a surfer being rescued by jet ski (our girls loved this!).

At the end of the walk, they’ll get to stand at Australia’s most easterly point.

Cape Byron, NSW, Australia

Byron Bay Lighthouse, Australia

Check out more of our favourite walks in Australia.

7. Beautiful beaches to play on

Byron Bay, Australia
Main Beach

The Byron Bay area is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches that are family friendly and great for swimming, sandcastle building, walking and playing.

Check out Main Beach, Clarkes Beach, Wategos Beach and Belongil Beach.

Read More: 5 Byron Bay Beaches You Must Set Foot On

Wategoas Beach, Byron Bay, Australia
Wategos Beach

8. The Byron Bay Markets

We’re a market family.

When in a new region, one of the first things we check is the local market talent and when it’s on. The Byron Bay Markets are on the first Sunday of every month and then every fourth Sunday is the Bangalow Markets, just a 15-minute drive away.

Get the kids faces painted, enjoy a bite to eat, listen to some local music and shop for market goodies. There’s plenty for the kids AND parents to enjoy.

Byron Bay 131

9. Surrounding towns to explore

Need a break from Byron?

Just a short drive away are many beautiful towns for you to explore with the kids – Lennox Head, Brunswick Heads, Bangalow, Mullumbimby and Nimbin are just a few with gorgeous hinterland views, waterfalls, rainforests and great surfing breaks.

Lennox Head coastal walk, Australia
Lennox Head coastal walk

10. Family friendly food

My girls are culinary explorers. They love eating out, which my wallet doesn’t enjoy too much!

Byron Bay has an incredible array of cafes and restaurants. It’s a great introduction to healthy alternatives – be prepared for plenty of sugar-free, vegetarian, whole food experiences.

There’s also great take-away options and casual cafes. The Top Shop is a locals fave for burgers and grab yourself some gourmet fish & chips from Mongers and have dinner on the beach watching the sunset.

Burgers from Top Shop, Byron Bay, Australia
Burgers from Top Shop
Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
Sunset dinner on the beach

11. Live music at Byron Bay Main Beach

Kids just love to groove. Whether it is African drumming on the beach, busking in the streets or live music in the beer gardens or at the markets.

Byron Bay provides ample opportunities for kids to boogie.

12. Free juggling and hooping fun

We walked past the Main Beach grass area one afternoon and randomly came across a young man providing free play for the kids at the beach.

He had hula hoops, unicycles, juggling gear and play toys strewn across the grass for the kids to play with. It was packed with grinning children exploring their kinesthetic talents.

Oh, and the nearby playground is great too!

Byron Bay, Australia

Byron Bay 171

We visited Byron Bay in partnership with Destination NSW. For more tips on things to do in Byron click here.

Plan Your Trip to Byron Bay

We’ve been traveling consistently for 17 years and have come to rely on a few trusted websites that save us money and time when booking accommodation, flights and car rental. Below are our preferred partners:

Accommodation in Byron Bay

Booking.com has over 150 properties in Byron Bay from hotels, resorts, apartments and hostels. You get free cancellation on most rooms and a best price guarantee.

A few hotels to look at:

  • Victoria at Wategos offers accommodation with views over the garden, outdoor pool or Cape Byron Lighthouse. Providing surfing amenities, it is just 350 feet from Watego Beach in Byron Bay. Read more reviews and book your stay here.
  • Elements of Byron Nestled on 50 acres of absolute beachfront, Elements Of Byron Resort & Spa features private villas with exclusive beachfront and a lagoon pool.  Read more reviews and book your stay here.
  • Beach Hotel Resort Just 150 feet from Byron Bay’s Main Beach and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, this resort offers free WiFi, a luxurious swimming pool and a hot tub Read more reviews and book your stay here

Airbnb has over 300 vacation rentals and 23 Airbnb Plus homes for convenience, comfort and a little style. Book your Airbnb here. Byron is perfect for it!

Fun and Popular Tours in Byron Bay

Flights to Byron Bay

  • Skyscanner is a comparison website that searches millions of flights. Once you find your best deal, book directly through the airline (no extra fees).

Car Rental

Byron Bay is a 9 hour drive north of Sydney (800 km), or a 2-hour drive south of Brisbane (175 km).

Fly into Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast and from there it’s a short 45-minute drive.

RentalCars.com is the world’s biggest car rental booking service that compares all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar.

Why do you think Byron Bay is a great destination for families? What can you add to my list?

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Byron Bay is not just great for surfers or the spiritually minded. It's also great for families. Here are 12 reasons why!

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  • Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia 5 Stunning Byron Bay Beaches You Must Set Foot On
  • Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk, NSW, Australia Hiking the Gorgeous Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk with Kids
  • Greenfield Beach, NSW, Australia 11 of the Best Beaches in NSW to Set Foot On

How can we help you travel more?

About Craig

Craig Makepeace is the co-founder of yTravel Blog. He's been traveling and living around the world since 2002 and believes that life is all about accumulating memories and moments with his family, not just possessions.

He's a travel addict, sports fanatic, beach lover, and passionate craft beer drinker!

Questions & Comments

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  1. Michelle

    5 years ago

    Those pancakes look amazing! These all sound like great reasons for it to be a family destination. Looks like a beautiful and fun place!

    Reply to Michelle
  2. alex

    5 years ago

    Beautiful scenery, love to travel there. Wide beach, playing arena for kids. Complete family vacation

    Reply to alex
  3. Tanya

    5 years ago

    What a perfect combo of camping and the beach! I would love to do that someday 🙂

    Reply to Tanya
  4. [email protected] on Tour

    5 years ago

    Byron Bay has always been on my bucket list. This has just confirmed why.

    Reply to [email protected]
  5. Anna

    5 years ago

    We recently attended the Billy Cart Derby in Bungalow with the kids. It was so much fun.
    http://www.byronbayaccom.net/visitor-info/byron-and-surrounds/bangalow

    Reply to Anna
  6. Pippa

    2 years ago

    Hi Great blog. Wondering if any reason Mojosurf is crossed out? Thanks

    Reply to Pippa
  7. Jesssica Rose

    1 year ago

    Lovely beaches. Don’t forget to visit Osushi Japanese restaurant. It is best known for fresh, healthy and delicious Japanese food

    Reply to Jesssica

Trackbacks

  1. 10 of the Best Byron Bay Web Write Ups says:
    June 7, 2016 at 8:30 am

    […] kids along with you on a holiday to Byron Bay? This article covers all the fun family-friendly Byron Bay activities. It provides a great list of reasons why […]

    Reply to 10
Hi! We're Caz & Craig

Travel addicts living life unplugged and proving travel doesn’t stop after kids.

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