Key Reasons to Visit Byron Bay with Kids + Things To Do!

Byron Bay is famous for its beautiful beaches and alternative surfer lifestyle. While it’s known for attracting the young, backpacker crowds and surfer communities, it’s also the perfect destination for your next family holiday.



When you first think of Byron Bay, the people that spring to mind are surfers, the spiritually minded, spa lovers, yogis, and those travelers trying to find themselves.



But what about kids? Does this small coastal town in northern NSW have anything to offer children? It turns out that there’s a lot to do in Byron Bay for kids, and have attractions mom and dad will enjoy too!



If you’re not convinced about making Byron Bay a stop on your family vacation, here are some reasons to visit Byron Bay with kids, and a list of kid-friendly things to do.



view from Clarkes Beach Caravan Park





Table Of Contents


Reasons To Visit Byron Bay with kids Things To Do in Byron Bay with kids 1. Learn to surf on easy waves 2. Camp on the beach 3. Eat the best pancakes in the world 4. Get a little bit zen at the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens 5. Enjoy the evening fire-throwing shows 6. Do the Byron Bay Lighthouse coastal walk 7. Play on Byron Bay's beautiful beaches 8. Visit The Byron Bay Markets 9. Explore the surrounding towns 10. Eat family friendly food in Byron 11. Live music at Byron Bay Main Beach 12. Free juggling and hooping fun 13. Circus Arts Byron Bay 14. Snorkel with the sea turtles at Julian Rocks 15. Walk the Fairy Trail in Brunswick Heads 16. Tour The Working Farm Family-Friendly Accommodation in Byron Bay Family-Friendly Tours in Byron Bay More Northern NSW Travel Tips Pin to Save on Pinterest





Reasons To Visit Byron Bay with kids



This is how we roll. Cape Byron lighthouse walk



Byron Bay is a popular tourist destination that’s most well known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and backpacker vibes.



It also has plenty of activities to offer families, which is one of the main reasons to visit Byron Bay as a family – you’ll never be bored!



Its beaches are perfect for calm and have gentle waves, perfect swimming, building sandcastles, and bodyboarding. The calm waters of Main Beach are ideal for young children who want to paddle, while The Pass is a great spot for older kids who want to try their hand at surfing.



Most of the activities in Byron are outdoors, from kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to hiking and bike riding, so if you want to get your kids away from their screens, this is the place to come.



What’s more is many of the attractions are specifically designed for families, such as the Cape Byron Lighthouse walk, which has a stroller friendly surface, and the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which has wildlife talks for kids.



Byron Bay also has a great selection of restaurants and cafes, so you’re sure to find something to please everyone, even the fussiest of eaters!



Things To Do in Byron Bay with kids



Happily, after extending our visit to Byron Bay by two weeks, we discovered it has so much to offer children and is a place that will delight and calm their spirits.



Here are some of our kid’s favorite activities and things to do…



1. Learn to surf on easy waves



The Pass, Byron Bay NSW



We met many young kids riding the surf each day with their parents. Byron Bay is all about the ocean, whether you’re snorkeling, diving, or swimming, but it’s mostly about the surfing.



It’s the most iconic destination for surfing in Australia, so if there’s ever a place to learn, it would be here.



Don’t worry, the surf schools cater to children too, and have some of the best instructors in the world.



If you’re already familiar with how to surf but are at beginner level, head to Byron Bay Main Beach, Wategos Beach and The Pass, which have beautiful, clean surf breaks – they are perfect for learning and for kids to build up their experience and confidence.



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Check prices and availability for surf lessons here.





2. Camp on the beach



Clarkes Beach



Camping is a great family activity. Your kids will love walking from their tent, caravan or cabin straight onto the beach from Reflections Byron Bay Holiday Park.



This park has to be in one of the best locations in the world.



We loved sitting at the viewing deck and communal barbecue in the evening, watching the sunset as the girls played with their new campground friends.



3. Eat the best pancakes in the world



How is that for pancakes?



Just out the back of Byron Bay, off the Pacific Highway between Byron and Ballina, are possibly the BEST pancakes in the world at the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (formerly Macadamia Castle Animal Fun Park).



Seriously, they are sooo good!



Your kids will also love venturing out the back to visit the wide assortment of farm animals, native Australian animals, play a round on the mini-golf course, or enjoy a short train ride.



4. Get a little bit zen at the Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens



Crystal Castle, Byron Bay



My girls loved going to the Crystal Castle, this was one of our mummy and daughter dates .



I arrived in a stinky mood and walked out feeling calm and happy. That’s the effect of this place that has a halo of healing energy around it thanks to the hundreds of crystals in gardens, in healing grids and on show throughout the castle.



Calming family fun in Byron



You can even stand between the two tallest crystals in the world in the garden.



It’s a really fascinating and calming way to spend the day.



5. Enjoy the evening fire-throwing shows







Head down to Byron Main Beach in the evening and enjoy a bit of take away dinner while watching a few fire-throwing shows put on by some locals to entertain the kids.



It’s also a nice time to enjoy a bit of time out as they sit riveted.



These guys operate on a tips only basis.



6. Do the Byron Bay Lighthouse coastal walk



Byron Bay coastal walk



We love hikes and coastal walks with our kids. The Byron Bay Lighthouse walk is a fantastic walk from Main Beach to the lighthouse that is pretty easy for kids to make.



If you have to, bribe them with an ice cream from the Lighthouse Café once they reach the top.



Byron Bay Lighthouse



They might get to see dolphins or humpback whales along the way (June to November) or perhaps a surfer being rescued by jet ski (our girls loved this!).



At the end of the walk, they’ll get to stand at Australia’s most easterly point.



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Read more: Check out more of our favourite walks in Australia.





7. Play on Byron Bay’s beautiful beaches



Main Beach, Byron Bay



The Byron Bay area is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches that are family friendly and great for swimming, sandcastle building, walking and playing.



Wategos Beach



Check out Main Beach, Clarkes Beach, Wategos Beach and The Pass.



These are our favorite beaches in Byron Bay for families because they have lifeguards in the summer, and other important facilities like kiosks and toilets.



8. Visit The Byron Bay Markets



Byron Bay markets



We’re a market family. When in a new region, one of the first things we check is the local market talent and when it’s on.



The Byron Bay Markets are on the first Sunday of every month and then every fourth Sunday is the Bangalow Markets, just a 15-minute drive away.



Kids love the face painting, enjoying a bite to eat, listening to some local music and shopping for market goodies. There’s plenty for the kids AND parents to enjoy.



9. Explore the surrounding towns



Lennox Head coastal walk



Need a break from Byron? Just a short drive away are many beautiful towns for you to explore with the kids – Lennox Head, Brunswick Heads, Bangalow, Mullumbimby and Nimbin are just a few with gorgeous hinterland views, waterfalls, rainforests and great surfing breaks.



10. Eat family friendly food in Byron



Burgers from Top Shop



My girls are culinary explorers. They love eating out, which my wallet doesn’t enjoy too much!



Byron Bay has an incredible array of cafes and restaurants. It’s a great introduction to healthy alternatives – be prepared for plenty of sugar-free, vegetarian, whole food experiences.



There’s also great take-away options and casual cafes. The Top Shop is a locals fave for burgers and grab yourself some gourmet fish & chips from mongers and have dinner on the beach watching the sunset.



Sunset dinner on the beach



11. Live music at Byron Bay Main Beach



Kids just love to groove. Whether it is African drumming on the beach, busking in the streets or live music in the beer gardens or at the markets.



Byron Bay provides ample opportunities for kids to boogie.



We also love taking a picnic down in the evening and enjoying the sunset at one of the picnic tables.



12. Free juggling and hooping fun



Main beach free hooping



We walked past the Main Beach grass area one afternoon and randomly came across a young man providing free play for the kids at the beach.



He had hula hoops, unicycles, juggling gear and play toys strewn across the grass for the kids to play with. It was packed with grinning children exploring their kinesthetic talents.



Oh, and the nearby playground is great too!







13. Circus Arts Byron Bay



Perhaps something a bit unique that you can do with kids in Byron Bay is learn how to walk the high ropes of a trapeze at Circus Arts Byron Bay .



It also has a indoor climbing wall, ninja course, and play space for toddlers.



14. Snorkel with the sea turtles at Julian Rocks







If you’re looking for snorkel tours in Byron Bay, then consider a snorkel tour of Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, which is known for its sea turtle colony.



You may also see wobbegong sharks and many colourful fish.



If your kids are strong swimmers, they will be amazed by the underwater world waiting for them to explore!



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Check out this snorkeling tour of Julian Rocks here!





15. Walk the Fairy Trail in Brunswick Heads



Another family-friendly adventure to have is the Fairy Trail walk from Brunswick Heads Visitor Center.



Follow a map and solve clues to find fairy houses hidden along the trail!



This fun activity combines exploration and exercise, the perfect combo!



16. Tour The Working Farm



Want to teach your kids where their food comes from? Head to The Farm Byron Bay , a working farm, to see the chickens, cows and pigs, and walk around the paddocks and fields.



They have daily animal feeding at 10.00am, and you can also buy a picnic hamper and have a picnic in one of the gardens – eating produce grown on the farm you’re sitting on!



Or if you’re feeling really hungry, head to the Three Blue Ducks restaurant for some freshly made meals using produce from the farm.



Family-Friendly Accommodation in Byron Bay



Booking.com has hundreds of properties in Byron Bay from hotels, resorts, apartments and hostels. You get free cancellation on most rooms and a best price guarantee.



A few hotels to look at:




Victoria at Wategos  offers accommodation with views over the garden, outdoor pool or Cape Byron Lighthouse. Providing surfing amenities, it is just 350 feet from Watego Beach in Byron Bay. Read more reviews and see availability your stay here.



Elements of Byron  Nestled on 50 acres of absolute beachfront, Elements Of Byron Resort & Spa features private villas with exclusive beachfront and a lagoon pool. Read more reviews and see availability here.



Beach Hotel Resort  Just 150 feet from Byron Bay’s Main Beach and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, this resort offers free WiFi, a luxurious swimming pool and a hot tub  Read more reviews and see availability here




Family-Friendly Tours in Byron Bay



If you’re looking for tours to do with your family, here are some of our favorite tours in Byron Bay that your kids will love!







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Why do you think Byron Bay is a great destination for families? What can you add to my list?