Tallow Beach, Byron Bay: Visitor guide

7km-long Tallow Beach in Byron Bay, NSW, is wild and unspoilt. Swimmers should stay between the flags and surfers get big, clean waves at Cosy Corner.

Where is Tallow Beach?

Tallow Beach is a beach in Byron Bay, New South Wales.

It lies immediately to the south-west of Cape Byron, and is in the northern section of Arakwal National Park.

The Tallow Beach Road from central Byron Bay finishes at the beach, although there are also a few walking tracks that end here. Taking the Milne Track, the walk from the Byron Bay Recreational Ground to Tallow Beach is 1.4km long.

If you can do just one thing in Byron Bay, make it kayaking with dolphins. The scenery’s beautiful, and you can get much closer to the dolphins than you would on a boat tour. BOOK HERE.

How long is Tallow Beach?

Tallow Beach stretches for 7km, and is best observed from the Cape Byron Lookout.

The very southern end of the beach inside the Broken Head Nature Reserve is known as Broken Head Beach.

8 amazing Byron Bay experiences worth booking today

Experience the region’s glorious natural landscapes from above – on a hot air balloon ride.
Go kayaking with dolphins – and get much closer to them than on a boat tour 🐬.
Learn to surf – on a half day surf lesson 🏄‍♀️.
Discover the local secrets – let a guide show you the hidden beaches and waterfalls 🏖️.
Go on a three habitat wildlife safari – spotting koalas, kangaroos and flying foxes 🐨🦘.
See glowworms light up the World Heritage-listed rainforest.
Explore the Byron Bay hinterland – including the rainforest walk to Minyon Falls.
Taste craft beers and spirits – on a tour of Byron’s breweries and distilleries 🍻.
Also try… Skydives | Sea-kayaking | Whale-watching.

Why is it called Tallow Beach?

The name Tallow Beach comes from the beef and lamb fat that washed up here after a shipwreck at Cape Byron in 1864. The Volunteer crashed into the rocks, and the cargo washed up on the beach.

The fat, commonly called tallow, was used for making soaps and candles at the time.

Can you swim at Tallow Beach?

It is possible to swim at Tallow Beach, Byron Bay. However, the beach is dominated by rips, so you need to be very careful.

The northern section – sometimes called Tallows, sometimes called Cosy Corner – has lifeguard patrols during the busiest periods of the year.

Swim between the flags – this Byron Bay beach is potentially hazardous.

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Surfing at Cosy Corner

Cosy Corner at the northern end of Tallow Beach is a popular surf spot. Head here when there’s a north to north-easterly swell, and you’re likely to enjoy big, clean waves.

Byron Bay surf lessons sometimes come here, although they tend to start beginners off on smaller waves at other Byron Bay beaches.

Tallow Beach, Byron Bay, from the Cape Byron Lookout. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Is Tallow Beach dog-friendly?

The Suffolk Park section of Tallow Beach is dog-friendly. The off-lead exercise area runs north from Jarman Street to the boundary of Arakwal National Park.

Other Byron Bay beaches in the Australian Beach Guide include Whites Beach and Belongil Beach.