Kingscliff to Byron Bay drive: Distance by car & road trip stops
The Kingscliff to Byron Bay drive is 62km long, and takes about 44 minutes. Attractions near the route include Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah, Brunswick Heads Beach and fishing hotspot, the Tyagarah Nature Reserve.
This independent, Australia travel expert-researched guide is aimed at travellers planning a road trip itinerary from Kingscliff to Byron Bay in New South Wales. To just book Byron Bay accommodation, go here, and to look for the best tours and activities, go here.
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.
To learn more about the Kingscliff to Byron Bay drive, including the distance, driving time and the best stops along the route, read on…
Planning a Kingscliff to Byron Bay road trip
The drive from Kingscliff to Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is not a long one. The two beach towns are relatively close by Australian standards, although they have very different vibes. Kingscliff is a more straight-forward surf town than Byron Bay, which has a big alternative culture scene.
Top Kingscliff accommodation options
The best places to stay in Kingscliff are:
- For a Balinese-style resort: Oaks Santai Casuarina Resort.
- For a kid-friendly holiday park: Ingenia Holidays Kingscliff.
- For suites with a lagoon pool: Mantra on Salt Beach.
- For good value by the beach: The Blue Water.
Book in advance for the best Byron Bay accommodation deals.
and reserve your place on the top byron bay tours and experiences.
Kingscliff to Byron Bay driving time
The Kingscliff to Byron Bay driving distance is 62km, and the drive is largely along the Pacific Highway.Expect a Kingscliff to Byron Bay driving time of around 44 minutes.
Five fabulous Tweed Coast experiences to at least consider booking
- Tweed River lunch cruise – with wildlife viewing in the rainforest.
- Crab-catching tour in Tweed Heads.
- Farm tour at Tropical Fruit World – with wildlife spotting cruise.
- Progressive four course meal across four top Kingscliff restaurants.
- Husk Distillers distillery tour – with tastings.
If you want to explore the region a bit along the way, then there are a few attractions worth pulling off the Pacific Highway for.
First up is Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah. This giant fruit farm showcases all manner of weird and wonderful fruits. There’s also an animal park and boat cruise included in the farm tour.
Beaches from Kingscliff to Byron Bay
The Kingscliff to Byron Bay drive then continues past Cabarita Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville. It then passes the North Byron Parklands, where the Splendour In The Grass music festival is held.
There are then a few excellent beaches just off the Pacific Highway. Golden Beach and New Brighton Beach are impressive, but Brunswick Heads is the most popular.
Here’s why you should stay in Brunswick Heads – four fantastic experiences
- Take a snorkelling tour to the protected subtropical paradise – at the marine life-packed Julian Rocks.
- Take an eco-cruise through the rainforest – in the day time or on a sunset cruise.
- Watch migrating humpback whales between June and October – on a whale-watching cruise with a marine biologist guide.
- Take a nature kayaking tour along the river – choose from sunrise, daytime and sunset tours.
Before turning off the highway at Ewingsdale, you might like to explore the Tyagarah Nature Reserve behind Tyagarah Beach. There’s a picnic area here, and it’s also good for fishing and birdwatching.
From then on, it’s straight along the Ewingsdale Road, past Belongil Beach and into Byron Bay itself.
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.
More New South Wales travel
Taste cider amongst the gardens at Bilpin Cider in Bilpin, the Blue Mountains.
Sleep by the beach at the Kingscliff caravan park in Kingscliff, Tweed Coast.
Take the Cockatoo Island ferry to the biggest island in Sydney Harbour.
How long is the drive from Ballina to Lismore?
Go walking at the Lake Alexandra Reserve in Mittagong.