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

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.

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.

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 beach11. 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!

15. Walk the Fairy Trail in Brunswick Heads

Another family-friendly adventure to have is the