The best Byron Bay walks and hikes to go on this summer

Lace-up your boots and head out for a walk or hike to best appreciate Byron Bay.

The best Byron Bay walks and hikes are those that take in the spectacular scenery. From a dog-friendly beach to a legendary coastal path that squiggles along the craggy coastline to paths through photogenic pockets of rainforest, and a guided tour of a glow-worm tunnel, there are walks and hikes around Byron Bay designed to suit both casual walkers and serious hikers. We’ve done some of the hard work for you, rounding up some of the best spots to take a hike in Byron Bay and beyond.

Snap a selfie along the Cape Byron walking track

an aerial view of the Cape Byron walking track — The 3.7-kilometre loop will reward you with spectacular views of the ocean and hinterland. (Image: Destination NSW)

Have you even been to Byron if you haven’t snapped a selfie in front of the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse? You will find some of the best of what Byron has to offer along the 3.7-kilometre walk: from sun-drenched beaches to coastal rainforest and plenty of whales to spot when the season is right. There are also cafes along the way where you can stop and fuel up on pancakes and piccolos.

You can extend the walk – and burn off those calories – by starting at Clarke’s Beach, walking along the sand to The Pass, joining the Palm Valley track until you go over the cliffs to Wategos Beach before joining the track to the lighthouse. This is not a pram-friendly walk; there are a lot of stairs. While the road from Byron Bay runs right to the back of Wategos Beach, it can get very crowded and parking is extremely limited.

Take your pooch along for the Tallow Beach walk

a scenic view of the Tallow Beach from above — Tallow Beach extends to the Arawkal National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

Slather yourself in 50-plus to walk to and fro along Tallow Beach, which curves for about seven kilometres between the Cape Byron Conservation Area and Broken Head Nature Reserve. The beach, just 3.2 kilometres from the heart of Byron Bay, is part of Arawkal National Park and one of the only places that matter when there’s big surf. In the early mornings, when the birds are singing, and the horizon looks as though it’s covered in a layer of gauze, you will see the ghostly silhouettes of fishermen casting their lines out to sea. The dog-friendly section of the beach stretches from a point adjacent to Jarman Street to the boundary of the national park.

Embark on the Three Sisters walking track

the Kings Beach, Three Sisters Walking Track — You’ll pass through the secluded Kings Beach along the Three Sisters Walking Track. (Image: Destination NSW)

The starting point for the Three Sisters Walking Track is at the southern end of the picnic area at Broken Head Nature Reserve. The easy 1.6-kilometre walk has gentle hills, and a few steps that will steer you through the emerald-green rainforest with carpets of moss to a lookout over Broken Head and the secluded Kings Beach. A quick heads up, though, Kings Beach is a clothing-optional affair. The area is rich in Indigenous history, which you can read about on the clearly signposted walk, which tells the story of the three sisters who were turned into rocky outcrops near the headland. In winter and spring, the walk offers great vantage points to spot whales and watch for white-bellied sea eagles spearing into the sea for food.

Visit a glow-worm tunnel in Nightcap National Park

a man walking along the rainforest trail in Nightcap National Park — Tackle the tranquil rainforest trails in Nightcap National Park. (Image: Lismore City Council)

It’s not just the coastal walks that boast epic scenery around Byron Bay. Head to the hinterland and you will find a range of trails – from the tranquil to the well-trodden. The World-Heritage-listed Nightcap National Park is home to the distinctive curved silhouette of the ancient volcano, Wollumbin/Mount Warning, which rises above the landscape. Book a Hinterland Magic and Glow-worm Experience and you will be led to a tunnel lit up by the luminescent beetles. The tour also winds its way to a waterfall for a swim and to a rainforest temple hidden in the hinterland.  

Look out over Lennox Head along the Coastal Recreation Walk

a surfer heading to the beach, Lennox Head — The popular surfing spot attracts many local surfers. (Image: The Legendary Pacific Coast)

Lennox Head is a 30-minute drive south from Byron and worth the detour to enjoy more great views of sky and sea. Do as Lennox locals do on the daily and walk to the top of Lennox Point, known locally as ‘The Point’. The path is very prominent as it hugs the coast and follows the shoreline. Head south, past groves of pandanus palms, until you reach Pat Morton Lookout, which passes the point break, where you will see talented local surfers all lined up waiting to conquer the next wave.

The views from the Lennox Head lookout span north across Lennox Head and Seven Mile Beach and south to Rocky Point and Boulders Beach and Skennars Head and, if you’re lucky, you might spot the resident dolphins who also like to surf the waves.

Minyon Falls Walking Track

the Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park — The 100-meter waterfall cascades over ancient rhyolite cliffs. (Image: Destination NSW)

Strike out beyond the well-worn tracks along the Byron Bay seafront to enjoy a glorious hinterland adventure along the Minyon Falls Walking Track . The path unfurls through the ancient emerald-green rainforest of Nightcap National Park until it reaches the lookout where you can peer over the top of the cliffs cloaked with Australian eucalyptus trees to see Minyon Falls tumble down into a beautiful natural swimming pool. A bit of rock-hopping is required to reach the base of the waterfall, which is most impressive after heavy rain.

Pinnacle Walk

view of the Border Ranges from The Pinnacle lookout — The Border Ranges can be seen from The Pinnacle lookout. (Image: Destination NSW)

The forested peak of Wollumbin can be glimpsed from plenty of vantages around Byron and the Tweed, but to really appreciate this ancient sentinel, take the Pinnacle Walk in the Border Ranges National Park. While keen hikers could once clamour to the summit, in recent years, the local Bundjalung people have closed this sacred site to tourists for safety and cultural conservation reasons. But you can still hike the foothills of this monolith and admire its majesty from the easy 600-metre return Pinnacle Walk and Lookout. Our hot tip is to rise before the sun to see Wollumbin emerge from the darkness.

Rocky Creek Dam

Pack your picnic basket for day at pretty Rocky Creek Dam , just a short side-step west of the Byron Shire. There are four walks to wander, ranging from the quick, 20-minute Water Dragon Walk to the 2-hour Scrub Turkey Walk, so you can pick the route that suits your group. Once you’ve absorbed your bush-hemmed surrounds and marvelled at the 14,000-mega-litres of water held by the dam, sprawl out in the picnic area and let the kids loose in the adventure playground. 

Killen Falls

If you’d like to soak in some lost world magic, take a drive to Tintenbar. Tucked into the hinterland of the Ballina Shire, this serene and mostly secluded spot offers an easy 660-metre return walk to a viewing platform or a fairly steep 1-kilometre hike down to the base of the waterfall. Take a deep inhale as you tune into the mind-stilling sound of the thundering cascade.

Tyagarah Nature Reserve and Tea Tree Lakes

two people walking with dogs on Belongil Beach — Go for a leisurely walk with your furry friends on Belongil Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Set between Byron and Brunswick Heads, Tyagarah Nature Reserve unfurls along a 7-kilometre stretch of sand. Behind the dunes, there are bush-hemmed tracks for proficient walkers, which take in tranquil tea tree lakes and a picnic area. If you’re eager to lace up for a longer hike, start the walk at Brunswick Heads and carry along to the north end of Byron at Belongil Beach. This 15.4-kilometre stretch will take a good few hours, so be prepared with water, food and sun protection, and don’t forget to tell someone where you’re headed.  

Northern Rivers Rail Trail

For now, the quickly beloved Rail Trail kicks up the dust just north of Byron at Crabbes Creek, but planning is in the process to link the Tweed section to Byron and beyond. Until then, the current trail meanders beautifully through bucolic vistas, beneath rainforested canopies, and through former rail tunnels (one of which features a smattering of glow worms). While bikes are the most popular way to tackle the trail, you can also hike the full 24 kilometres or bite-size sections on foot. Just watch out for two-wheeled hoons!

Discover the best beaches in Byron Bay.

This article was 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.