Cheap flights to Byron Bay from £1,156

This beautiful, laidback town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is very popular, attracting almost two million visitors each year. During peak times, even nearby towns such as Lismore and Ballina will be booked out.

The Aboriginal people called this area “Cavvanba”, meaning “meeting place”, but when Captain James Cook sailed along in 1770 he named it after John Byron, circumnavigator of the world and, later on, grandfather of the poet, Lord Byron. The literary connection lives on in Byron Bay’s street names. When the town was set out in the 19th century, the streets were named after poets. There’s Keats Street, Marvell Street, Milton Street, Dryden Street and Scott Street, among others

The possibilities in Byron Bay are endless, from diving to hiking to even whale watching between June and November and dolphin watching all year round. Byron Bay offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, but it does have a definite ritzy side. However, one of the best things is free – taking to the Cape Byron Walking Track to see the sun rise. Cape Byron is the first part of Australia to feel the sun’s rays each morning.

Byron Bay climate

Byron Bay’s climate is subtropical. Summers (December-February) are warm (and wetter than the winters) with temperatures that range between 20 to 28 C (68 to 82 F). Winters (June-August) are mild – the temperature ranges between 12 to 20 C (50 to 68 F). Spring and autumn are pleasant times to visit Byron Bay. Spring (September to November) temperatures hover between 14 to 25 C (58 to 77 F), while autumn (March, April and May) temperatures are in the 15 to 27 C (60 to 80 F) range.

Getting around Byron Bay

Regardless of which airport you fly into – Ballina Byron Gateway Airport or Gold Coast Airport – there are several ways of getting to Byron Bay. There are regular shuttle services, transfers and taxi services.

Driving is by far the most popular way of getting around, although Byron Bay itself is easily walkable. Blanch’s Bus Company operates regular bus and coach services in the Northern NSW area.

What is good to know if travelling to Byron Bay?

• The Byron Bay market is held on the first Sunday of every month, selling produce from the surrounding areas.
• There are close to 40km (25 miles) of sandy beaches in the Byron Bay area. Wategos, Main Beach, Broken Head and The Pass are the patrolled beaches, most suitable for families. 
• Cape Byron’s lighthouse is on the most easterly edge of mainland Australia. It dates from 1901 and the tours are popular with visitors. It’s also possible to stay in the lighthouse keepers’ quarters. 
• Julian Rocks Marine Park is considered to be one of the top five scuba-diving locations in the country. It’s a mere 2.5km (1.5 miles) from Byron Bay. The waters teem with whales, dolphins, sharks and turtles. 
• There’s a nude beach 500 metres (1,640 feet) west of Belongil Creek. To get there, drive down Grays Lane at Tyagarah. 
• Kings Beach at Broken Head Reserve is another beautiful beach. The Broken Head Nature Reserve is 6km (3.7 miles) south of Byron Bay. It contains the remnants of the coastal subtropical rainforest that was known as the “Big Scrub”. There are a couple of superb walks through the rainforest – one to Kings Beach and one along the cliff top that gives wonderful sea views.