10 Best Activities For Kids In Byron Bay

Holidaying with the family is one of life’s great joys. Here’s how you can spend time away from the chaos of everyday life and reconnect in Byron Bay.

The popular coastal hotspot of Byron Bay in NSW’s Northern Rivers region is one of the most beautiful places in Australia, and there’s a reason that kids love it, too. If you’re planning a holiday to Byron with the family, or find yourself in town with an empty itinerary, we’ve got you covered with nine of the best activities to keep the whole family happy.

1. Take a trip to The Farm

Part working farm, part eatery – The Farm provides an enchanting and playful insight into the rural side of Byron Bay. Just a 10-minute drive from the centre of town, little ones can spend the day running, playing and getting up close to lots of adorable farm animals. Fuel up by grabbing lunch at Three Blue Ducks.

During school holidays, there are kids activities designed to inspire and educate. Each one is filled with hands-on, creative and mindful activities to encourage an appreciation of nature, animals and the community. Watch your children learn about ethical farming practices, as well as how food is grown, composting, animal care and more. There are adult workshops on offer, too!

The Farm in Byron Bay, NSW — Meet the friendly (and cute) locals at The Farm. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 11 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale NSW

2. Wander around Crystal Castle

Take the winding roads into one of the cutest Byron hinterland towns and you’ll be rewarded with an enchanted sanctuary housing two of the tallest crystals in Australia. At Crystal Castle, take a magical stroll around the labyrinth-like Shambhala Gardens, learning about the Naren King who initially envisioned Crystalight back in 1986.

The crown jewel of Crystal Castle is the Enchanted Cave, formed over 120 million years ago in northern Uruguay and brought here by Naren. It’s approximately 5.5 metres tall, made when a giant bubble formed inside a molten lava flow. Kids and adults alike will love spending time looking at the millions of amethyst crystals that make up this amazing place.

Crystal Castle in Byron Bay, NSW — Wander the peaceful Shambhala Gardens at Crystal Castle. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 81 Monet Drive, Montecollum NSW

3. Hit the local markets

There really is no better way to discover the true essence of a place than by visiting the community markets. The Byron Community Market, held on the main beach foreshore, take place on the first Sunday of each month and is filled with handmade wares, food, art and trinkets.

There are plenty of other cool markets in and around Byron Bay, too. From the Murwillumbah Farmers’ Market on Wednesday to the Bangalow Flea Markets on every 2nd and 5th Saturday of the month, there’s something for all tastes. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet the locals and buy a special Byron-made souvenir to take home.

Byron Bay Markets in Byron Bay, NSW — Kids will love hunting for treasures at the markets. (Image: Destination NSW)

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4. Visit the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Previously Macadamia Castle, the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary aims at creating awareness around the importance of respecting the natural world and Australia’s native animals. The park is open seven days a week and also hosts comprehensive kids’ day programs during the school holidays.

The whole family will enjoy a day spent here, with the daily activity schedule including keeper talks, wildlife presentations and interactive animal experiences. There’s also an onsite cafe and retail store, with a focus on locally produced and sustainable gifts.

The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Byron Bay, NSW — The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a great day out. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 419 Hinterland Way, Knockrow NSW

5. Learn how to surf

The natural landscape of Byron is a playground in itself – particularly for those who can make the most of it. Catching waves at one of the many popular beaches is a rite of passage, so it’s good to start them young. Soul Surf School is a Byron institute and the perfect place to dip your toe in as a beginner. There are board rentals for all levels, with lessons starting for those as young as seven.

If you’re child is five or above, you can also book them in for a private lesson with a professional. There are also great group sessions on offer too, so the whole family can get involved. There are plenty of other surf schools too, including Blackdog Surfing, Mojosurf and Kool Katz Surf School.

Soul Surf School at Main Beach in Byron Bay, NSW — Byron is the perfect place to learn how to catch waves. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 4/14 Bay Street, Byron Bay NSW

6. Ride horses in the hinterland

If you’d rather stay dry, head to Zephyr Horses for an afternoon or horse-riding. The coastal horse ranch offers an array of options, including specialised kids rides. Children have to be above the age of 10 to join a regular group ride, however the Mini Zephyrs Club caters to those under 10.

If you’re riding with kids, choose between the 1.5-hour Forest Trail, the two-hour Forest to Beach track or the two-hour Sunrise or Sunset Forest to Beach ride. Then head back to the ranch for a cuddle with your new best friend.

Zephyr Horses in Byron Bay, NSW — Hit the track with Zephyr Horses. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 145 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay NSW

7. Have a day out on the water

One of the many beauties of Byron is that so many kid-friendly activities are freely accessed via the great outdoors. Families can see Byron from a different perspective with Wild Byron Sea Safaris, which offer snorkelling and whale watching trips. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles, colourful fish and dolphins, too. The Byron Bay Dive Centre also caters for all levels of snorkelling experience.

If your little ones are a bit too young to take out on the boat, hit up one of Byron’s many stunning beaches for a day in the sun. Wategos Beach is known for being calm; in fact, it’s one of the best swimming spots in Byron. Other ways to get out on the water include kayaking, SUPing, eco tours and whale watching.

Kids swimming at Tallows Beach in Byron Bay, NSW — Byron is home to some of Australia’s best beaches. (Image: Destination NSW)

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8. Frolic at a festival

Byron Bay is a festival hot spot and many of them accommodate families by dedicating special areas or days to kids. No matter what time of year you visit, there’s likely to be something fun on the calendar for you.

There’s Bluesfest over Easter, which is an all-ages music event with an exceptionally wholesome environment. July’s Splendour in the Grass is Australia’s biggest music festival, with Little Splendour held alongside the entire three-day event. The Byron Bay Writers Festival has a kids’ day in August, as well as the Sample Food Festival in September.

Bluesfest in Byron Bay, NSW — The whole family can enjoy Byron’s festivals. (Image: Bluesfest Byron Bay)

9. Ride the world’s first solar-powered train

Only in Byron would you find something so retro yet sustainably powered. The Byron Bay Train is the world’s first solar-powered train; a restored 1949 carriage fitted with contemporary green technology. The train runs along a three-kilometre coastal track, linking the town centre with North Beach.

Kids will love learning onboard the two-carriage train, which takes around 10 minutes one-way or 25 minutes return. A scenic bounty on this piece of history costs just $5 each-way for adults and $3 for kids aged between six and 13. Any younger and you can travel for free! The train runs daily, with specific times listed on the website.

Byron Bay Train in Byron Bay, NSW — Kids will love a scenic ride on the solar-powered train. (Image: Getty/Kiara Bloom)

Address: Shirley Street Level Crossing

10. Join the circus

If you’ve ever dreamed of running away and joining the circus, say hello to (pretty much) the next best thing. Seven days a week, rain hail or shine, Circus Arts Byron showcases the best indoor playground paradise for toddlers, teens, adults and everyone in between.

Explore all the circus-themed activities you can think of, from an indoor climbing wall, Olympic-sized trampoline, flying trapeze and tumble track. On school holidays, Circus Arts offers programs tailored to certain age groups, all available for kids as young as one. Once they’re all worn out, simply head to the onsite cafe to refuel.

Address: 7 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay NSW

Don’t miss: Top 30 things to do in Byron Bay

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

10 of the best activities for families and kids in Byron Bay