14 of the Best Swimming Spots and Beaches in Byron Bay| Australian Traveller

Whether you’re into building sandcastles or catching waves, Byron Bay has a beach for you.

When it comes to great beaches, Byron Bay is no slouch. In fact, the far North Coast town is probably the poster child for Australian beach culture. With its long powdery stretches of sand facing north, south and east, and its beautiful blue-green waters, having a surf or swim is one of the best things to do in Byron Bay. In addition to the glittering mix of beaches for surfing, swimming or soaking up the sun, you can turn your back on the sea and head inland to find cascading waterfalls with clear pools to cool off.

1. Main Beach

people enjoying at Main Beach, Byron Bay — Main Beach is a slice of paradise in Byron Bay. (Image: Destination NSW)

Main Beach is the closest beach to the township of Byron Bay, making it a popular spot for families as it’s patrolled every day of the year. To the left is Belongil Beach and the striking silhouette of Mount Warning (Wollumbin), to the right is Clarkes Beach and then the Pass and iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse.

One of the best things about this beach is the people-watching: observe bronzed surfers padding down the beach to catch a wave; teens taking selfies, preening and dancing and practising their best duckface; and hippies with man buns furiously beating on their bongo drums at nearby Apex Park.

2. The Pass

surfers at The Pass, Byron Bay — The clear blue waters beckon for a quick dip or surf. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Pass is a point break between Clarkes Beach and Wategos. Climb up to Fisherman’s Lookout to get an aerial view of the line-up and everyone jostling for their turn to take off on this perfect right-hander. The wave attracts a mix of soul surfers (long-boarders) and novices and is best left to the professionals when there’s a swell running. The good news is, it’s a broad break and there is a wide expanse of sand along the shoreline. The Pass is patrolled by lifesavers for only a few months of the year. Find an idyllic shady place to flop and drop and swim between the flags.

3. Tallow Beach

footprints on the sand at Tallow Beach, Box Head — Tallow Beach is a sun-drenched oasis for experienced swimmers. (Image: Destination NSW)

If you’re a mad-keen experienced surfer or a strong swimmer, you can go for a paddle at Cosy Corner, which is protected from northerly winds. Tallow Beach is best suited to experienced swimmers who converge in one of three patrolled areas: Cosy Corner, Suffolk Park or Broken Head, which are nice and sheltered when a northerly wind is blowing. Access to the beach is via Clifford Street in Suffolk Park. If you manage to walk the seven-kilometre stretch to Broken Head Beach, you can do as the local naturalists do and strip off in the designated ‘clothes-optional’ beach.

4. Wategos Beach

surfing at Wategos Beach, Byron Bay — This sheltered little beach is also popular among surfers. (Image: Destination NSW)

Wategos Beach is a pretty little cove that is close to the most easterly point in Australia. This picturesque patch dotted with pandanus palms is very protected making it popular with both long-boarders and swimmers. Named after a local Indigenous family, Wategos runs into Little Wategos, a 150-metre-long strip of beach near the tip of Cape Byron, which only exists in certain conditions when the sand accumulates over the rock shelf as it moves around the headland. When the tide is right, Little Wategos is lovely and sheltered for sunbathing and swimming. Be one of the first people in Australia to admire the sunrise when you hit Wategos Beach for a swim in the pre-dawn light.

5. Belongil Beach

surfers at sunrise on Belongil Beach, Byron Bay — Welcome the sunrise with a morning surf or swim. (Image: Destination NSW)

Take a left on the long stretch of beach to the left of Byron Bay’s town centre to get to Belongil Beach, which is home to ‘The Wreck’, a popular swimming and snorkelling spot. The Wreck is actually the rusted remains of the SS Wollongbar which ran aground in stormy seas in 1921. A small part of the abandoned hull remains embedded in the sand here and it has created an underwater ecosystem that is home to abundant marine life. The best place to swim at Belongil Beach is at the southern end nearest to Byron Bay when the beach is patrolled.

6. Torakina Beach, Brunswick Heads

This soft sweep of sand to the left of the southern break wall at Brunswick Heads is nirvana for beaching families. The water is crystalline, calm and perfect for wading, there’s even a trim of shade to snag if you arrive before everyone else descends. It’s a popular spot, so if the sun is shining, the small shore is quickly and tightly packed with an array of colourful beach umbrellas. Do note, the carpark does fill up quickly, so a walk may be required.

7. Clarkes Beach

a woman walking along Clarkes Beach, Byron Bay — Walk along the sandbar that connects to an islet. (Image: Destination NSW)

Head down to Clarkes Beach at dawn and wait for the sky to change colour and the sea to turn silvery and smooth. The next beach along from Main Beach heading in the direction of the Cape Byron Lighthouse is very popular with families and surfers. As the sky lightens, you might see surf instructors organising their classes for the day and helping novices heft their surfboards down to the shore.

From Clarke’s Beach, you can clamber onboard a Byron Bay Sea Kayak Tour in the hope of seeing dolphins, whales, and turtles. Return to Clarke’s Beach under a cloudless sky to swim off the sandbar and paddle in the tidal pools. This beach is patrolled over summer and has numerous grassy areas equipped with picnic tables.

8. Minyon Falls

the Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park — Minyon Falls is a spectacular cascade in Nightcap National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

Motor out to Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park if you want to see another side of the Byron Shire. Sure, you can appreciate this fairy tale landscape by undertaking a short, easy stroll to the lookout from the car park. But active types will find it well worth the effort of hiking for three or four hours to the boulders at the base of Minyon Falls for a magical swim in the pool, which is like a blue-green jewel in the dappled light. Minyon Falls is about a 50-minute drive from the Byron Bay town centre. After heavy rains, expect to see the water roaring down for about 100 metres between the rocky ridges in the cliff face. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.

9. Simpsons Creek, Brunswick Heads

If the beaches are blown out or too packed, the azure, serpentine bends of Simpson Creek which flows into Brunswick River offers gentle bathing. At high tide, you’ll see sun-bronzed teens jumping from the bridge into the clear waters below. While the riverside is mostly tricky to access, there’s a miniature beach at Terrace Park where you can slip in.

10. Broken Head Beach, Broken Head

surfers walking along Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay — Broken Head Beach is also a surfing nirvana. (Image: Destination NSW)

This pretty stretch of beach unfurls south of Suffolk Park and is shouldered to the south by a protective headland. You can take the lovely Three Sisters Walking Track up here to check out the oceanic vistas and maybe spot a whale or two. Pack lunch to enjoy in the grassy picnic area, bring your fishing rod and make a day of it. Keep in mind that parking is limited, so arrive early or be prepared for a walk.

11. Christmas Beach/Harry’s Hill Beach, Brunswick Heads

No one can agree on what to call this curve of paradise. Some call it Harry’s Hill Beach, some Christmas Beach and others simply call it Heaven. The latter is perhaps most fitting for this idyllic and secluded north bank of the Brunswick River. To get here, you’ll need to take a rigorously pot-holed dirt road, then wander through the rainforested North Head Walking Track until the shimmering aquamarine water is revealed below the canopy. Across the way, you’ll spot the huddle of beach umbrellas at Torakina and congratulate yourself for taking the more difficult but deeply rewarding alternative.

12. Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head

kayaking in Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head — Go kayaking through the dark waters. (Image: Destination NSW)

While this swimming spot is located in the Ballina Shire, it makes our list for its uniquely still and dark waters. That might sound a little on the scary side, but Lake Ainsworth is hemmed by tea trees, which stain the freshwater with their rich tannins. It looks black from the sure, but once you swim out into the warm waters, the colour is more like Coca Cola or black tea. Grassy picnic areas hem the lake and if you start craving the refreshing saltwater, the beach is just across the way. A 20-minute drive south to Lennox Head, it makes for a spectacular day trip.

13. Cudgera Creek, Hastings Point

Also a skip and a hop from Byron, but this time in a northerly direction in the Tweed Shire, this swimming spot where Cudgera Creek meets Hastings Point Beach is stunning. Obligingly shallow on the shoreline for kids, but dropping away to a channel that flows to the sea, this mostly gentle flow is great for paddleboarding and kayaking. Take care, though, the currents can be strong in the channel and despite plenty of people jumping from the bridge at high tide, it’s a dangerous idea.

14. South Golden Beach

This long stretch of sand that winds, uninterrupted, all the way up to Pottsville Beach in the Tweed Shire is a lesser-visited Byron haunt. Its northerly locale means that you’ll mostly find locals here and plenty of space to set up your beach brolly without any neighbours popping your bubble. It can be exposed to the elements here and is unpatrolled, so check the conditions before you go. When the wind is low, this is the place for sun-bleached, semi-isolated beauty and proper surf. When you’ve had your fill of the waves, head off the beach and grab a burger from the cute takeaway shop, Mrs Birdy.

Originally written by Carla Grossetti with updates by Lara Picone

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

14 stunning swimming spots and beaches in Byron Bay