From celebrities Chris Hemsworth and Real Housewives of New York star Alex McCord, to backpackers from every conceivable corner of the world, there’s just something about Byron Bay.
In an effort to finally discover what it is that Byron Bay has that manages to attract scores of tourists from all over the world, I spent three days there.
My advice?
Don’t just plonk yourself on the beach when you go up (although I really couldn’t blame you). Get active, learn something new, and, ahem, expand your mind!
Here’s what I recommend.
1. Learn how to surf
Put a little soul in your surf by booking a couple of lessons with Soul Surf School. With proper instruction, surfing isn’t as hard as it may seem, which I can certainly attest to: after two half-day surfing lessons with the school I was standing and turning!
All of the surf coaches at Soul Surf School hold current Surfing Australia coaching accreditation, and all of the management team have a minimum of 10 years surfing experience. The company is also loved on TripAdvisor so you know they’re doing something right…
Cost: $65 for a half day lesson.
Key takeaways: As conditions out in the ocean are changing constantly, you really need to be able to “read” the ocean to find a good surf spot. Thankfully the guys at Soul Surf School are absolute pros, and they can read the ocean like a book. The result? They’ll take you to the best beaches and swells in the area, giving you the best chance of standing up and putting all your newfound skills into practice.
2. Kayak with the dolphins
Kayak through four kilometres of sparkling ocean whilst spotting sea turtles and learning about the local area before being treated to an intimate display of dolphin acrobatics.
That’s what you’ll experience with Cape Byron Kayaks if your three-hour tour with them is anything like mine. If you don’t spot dolphins, per chance, then hit them up for their “dolphin guarantee” which entitles you to a return trip – for free!
The original dolphins kayaking tour operator since 1995, Cape Byron Kayaks run tours that are suitable for beginners right up to the more experienced. The tours are led by hilarious, experienced, and hospitable guides – once your back on the beach after the tour you’re treated a morning tea of coffee, tea and tim tams!
Cost: $69 with morning tea.
Key takeaways: Choose your kayaking partner wisely. You’ll be paddling with them for around three hours, meaning you’ll have lots of time to talk and lots of paddling to do. Pro tip: the strongest paddler should sit at the back – if will also be up to them to steer the kayak – and make sure you slip, slop, slap.
3. Visit Australia’s “highest” town
Get high-ly educated on the history of Australia’s weed capital by hopping aboard the famous Happy Coach for a six and a half hour tour visiting Nimbin from Byron Bay, passing through beautiful bucolic scenery, stopping for coffee at the historic Eltham Hotel, and taking a short walk to see a spectacular inland waterfall.
This unique tour gives you a fascinating insight into what Australia was like during the Hippy era after the Vietnam War, and although times certainly have changed since the 70s, the town is still full of, well, “colourful characters,” who will offer you with all kinds of “special” treats.
Cost: $40 with a free lunch.
Key takeaways: Don’t take special treats from strangers. Grab a coffee on Nimbin’s main drag and watch the procession of characters seemingly from a Cheech & Chong movie get up to no good. Visit the new age shops for some interesting conversations.
*The writer was a guest of all three tour companies.
