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This NSW town is officially the wellness capital of Australia – here’s how to experience it

Credit: Destination NSW

Lara Picone Lara Picone
As the winner of the wellness category in Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns, Byron Bay is all about uplifting holistic experiences from the corporeal to the spiritual.

Wellness can be slippery to hold onto amid the seismic patterns of daily life. You might succeed at an hour of pilates here or a 20-minute meditation there, but it’s not long before the gravitational drag of obligations rattles your sanctum of peace. So here I am in Byron Bay, Australia’s wellness epicentre, to assertively reclaim my calm. Given the town took out Australian Traveller’s top spot for wellness in the 100 best Aussie towns to visit list and ranked third place overall, it seems like the right place to begin.

Sauna and spa at Hide
Slip between cold plunges, infrared sauna sessions and dips in the mineral pool during a wellness-focused stay at Hide. (Credit: Jacqui Turk)

I’ve checked into Hide. Tucked behind Byron’s busy Johnson Street and hemmed by white walls curtained by lush tropical foliage, this boutique wellness stay is purpose-built for serenity. From stylish, minimally toned rooms that facilitate a clear headspace to the pool area where just a handful of guests flit between mineral dips, cold plunges and steaming in the infrared sauna, Hide is delightfully cloistered from the world beyond.

A bathtub being filled at Hide Byron Bay
Unwind at Hide. (Credit: Jacqui Turk)

Yet, its location in Byron plugs it into the town’s innate sense of wellbeing. There is something here that insists on stillness and a slowing of pace. Whether you’re diving into the glass-blown waves of Wategoes, spotting whales from the Cape Byron Lighthouse or syncing with the bongo beat on the high street, Byron Bay has long drawn slow exhales from its visitors.

As such, you’ll find many ways to connect back to yourself, from healing therapies to outdoor immersions, bathhouses and day spas. And while these experiences have spread into neighbouring villages and the hinterland behind, everything you need to embark on your wellness journey is right in town.

There's something about Byron Bay that insists on stillness. It's why we crowned it Australia's best wellness town – and number 3 overall in our 100 Best Aussie Towns. From Scandinavian bathhouses and breathwork sessions to sunrise lighthouse walks and pasta at sunset, Byron balances restoration and indulgence better than anywhere.

Soak and soothe

Bathers relaxing inside the pool at Navia Bathhouse
Navia Bathhouse is one of several bathing and spa options in town. (Credit: Navia Bathhouse/ Elise Hassey)

Throw a spa slipper in any direction and you’ll hit a bathhouse or treatment room. While nearby Mullumbimby’s Banya gets a lot of (deserved) air time, there are plenty of equally soothing and stylish options in town that don’t require a drive up the M1. Book the signature lymphatic massage ‘The Vessel’ at Comma, an aesthetically appetising boutique bathhouse and spa, and be sure to extend your treatment with a spell in the bathhouse, which only welcomes eight guests at a time and is strictly phone-free.

Close to the centre of town and set in the same complex as the artfully sleek boutique hotel Basq House, Navia is a Scandinavian-style bathhouse that leans into the Danish wellbeing concept of hygge. Here you can scrub yourself salty at the salt station, enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna and bounce from steam room to cold plunge, mineral pools and lounge. Meanwhile, toward the southern end of town, The Byron Bathhouse is all about medicinal water therapy and offers soul-soothers, Australia’s first chlorine-free hydrotherapy spa. Here you’ll find the usual rotation of scrub, sauna and plunge, as well as red light therapy and onsite naturopaths.

A sauna session at Navia Bathhouse
Sweat it out at Navia Bathhouse. (Credit: Navia Bathhouse/ Elise Hassey)

Of course, Byron Shire en masse is proliferated with all-wrapped-up wellness retreats, such as SOMA and the long-running Gaia Retreat, but if you’re keeping it in town, look at booking Elements of Byron’s Rebalance Package. This four-night, self-guided retreat allows you to orchestrate your own wellbeing experience on your own schedule, and includes spa treatments using organic skincare from Vanessa Megan, sun salutation yoga on the beach, rainforest walks and pilates at nearby Bende.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Active wellness

Cape Byron Kayaks loop around the headland in Byron Bay
Embrace active wellness on a kayak trip around Byron’s headland with Cape Byron Kayaks. (Credit: Destination NSW)

A large part of Byron’s claim on wellness is due to its truly spectacular geography. Here at the most easterly point in Australia, the beaches are a coastal Eden, where glassy waves tumble softly onto languid stretches of shore. Dolphins frolic, whales breach just off the coastline and surfers slip down well-formed waves. We all innately know that saltwater and sunshine are essential ingredients to feeling good, so while you’re in Byron, it’s a given you’ll leverage your wellness by getting involved at beach-level.

A group learning at Soul Surf School in Byron Bay
Embrace the sun and saltwater with a lesson at Soul Surf School. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Pushing out from main beach, chances are stacked in your favour to get up close to playful dolphins with Cape Byron Kayaks, but if your luck isn’t on form that day, you’re invited to book a second tour for free. If you’d rather give surfing a go, Soul Surf School will have you standing up within half a day, or if you’re really serious, book a five-day deluxe package to make sure you don’t kook it.

People exercising near Cape Byron Lighthouse
Rise early to hit the pavement with a run or walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse. (Credit: Destination NSW)

You can watch those novice surfers and kayakers from the Walgun Cape Byron Lighthouse walking track, which you pick up at Clarkes Beach. The 3.7-kilometre loop curls up and around cliffs, winding by The Pass and famous Wategoes Beach, before rising up to the iconic lighthouse. There’s a fair amount of stair action involved here, but you can pause at beaches and cafes along the way. Just remember to keep your eyes in the trees and out to sea, lest you miss glimpsing koalas, wallabies, water dragons, dolphins and, when the season is right, whales.

Riding with Zephyr Horses along the Byron Bay Coast
Riding with Zephyr Horses along the Byron Bay Coast is a restorative experience in nature. (Credit: Destination NSW)

For the equine inclined, trot along the beach with Zephyr Horses. Their two-hour tours lead through bush trails and out onto one of Byron’s perfect sweeps of beach. If you’re after a cinematic-style canter, mount your steed for the sunset timeslot. Or you could lead your horse to a watering hole on the pub lunch tour that includes a delicious spread at the perfectly laidback North Byron Hotel.

Spiritual centring

Beyond its beguiling beaches, there is something much less tangible about Byron Bay that has long drawn people to engage in healing and a holistic lifestyle here. Some local theories suggest this is down to a geological element from ancient volcanic activity that imbues Byron with a sort of crystal-induced magnetism. Anthropologically, you could say it’s because certain-minded people have attracted birds-of-a-feather, who in turn, have created the general ambience of the place. Or perhaps it’s as simple as the lure of geographical loveliness that dictates a renewed perspective. In any case, it has spurred a veritable healing circle of spiritual-adjacent therapies and activities entrenched since the ’60s.

Guests doing yoga by the beach at Elements of Byron
Find everything from breathwork classes to yoga sessions. (Credit: Elements of Byron/ Destination NSW)

Start off your journey with the hypnotic hum of crystal bowls during a sound healing with Byron local Ruby Rose (not the celebrity) of Divine Sound Healing. Rose also offers other esoteric therapies, such as energy healing and hypnotherapy. Or, if you would like to partake in a more mechanical manipulation of your body to reach a serene state of mind, try the practice of breathwork. Breathwork Byron holds retreats and one-on-one sessions to help balance the nervous system and heal emotional scars.

For meditation guidance, take a retreat at Sangsurya. Each month, there are several multi-day retreats held at this rainforested stay, from yoga to meditation and even relationship renewal retreats for couples.

If all you need is a light-touch wellness top-up to complement your Byron stay, one of Australia’s longest-running yoga and wellness centres, Byron Yoga Centre, offers day visits alongside their multi-day retreats that focus on everything from women-only and men-only programs to teacher training and over-55s.

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Nourishing plates

Sometimes, the best thing we can do for our wellness is to enjoy ourselves, maybe even indulge a little. Byron does balance well – all in a single day. Wake up for sunrise yoga and a walk to the lighthouse to kick those glutes into gear, then head to one of the many great cafes for a delicious breakfast and good coffee. Combi’s nourishing bowl is a seasonal treat of goodness, while Bayleaf Café is widely applauded as one of the best cups of coffee in town, and ‘the General scramble’ at The Byron Bay General Store is worth getting out of bed for.

Interior of Bar Heather with patrons dining at night
Bar Heather is the perfect place to end your day with a little indulgence. (Credit: Jess Kearney)

Flip that coin later in the day to add some indulgence to your schedule. That may look like a half-size martini at Bar Heather, followed by a silky pasta at Pixie, or a luxe night out at Belongil Bistro. But if I can offer one must-do dining suggestion that is a wellness practice in itself, it would be to grab a cocktail-in-a-can from Luna Wine Store and a pizza from Il Buco. Now, find yourself a patch of grass at Main Beach and soak up those Byron vibes as the sun goes down.

How we chose the winners

Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit were selected by a voting panel of much-loved Australians, industry experts and category authorities from across the country. The expert panel consisting of 15 travel experts, including the likes of Accor’s Adrian Williams, Ernie Dingo and Catriona Rowntree. Byron Bay was voted ‘Best Wellness Town’ and came in third place overall in ‘Best 100 towns’ in Australia.

Here is the shortlist of what not to miss in Byron Bay

Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.