What state is Byron Bay in?

Byron Bay is located in the Australian state of New South Wales. But the nearest big city is not Sydney – it’s Brisbane in Queensland.

In recent years, Byron Bay has become one of the most popular holiday towns in Australia. But many would struggle to pinpoint it on a map.

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.

Where is Byron Bay, Australia?

So where is Byron Bay? What state is Byron Bay in. Well, this Australian beach town is pretty easy to find if you look on a map. Find the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, and that’s Cape Byron – one of Byron Bay’s top tourist attractions.

Cape Byron Lighthouse in Byron Bay - the most easterly point in Australia — Walking to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, at the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, is one of the best things to do in Byron Bay. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Byron Bay is located as far east as it is possible to go in mainland Australia. And, to all intents and purposes, it doesn’t really matter what state Byron Bay is in. Visitors tend to navigate by towns and cities rather than states. Sydney is better known than New South Wales, and Melbourne is better known than Victoria.

Is Byron Bay in New South Wales or Queensland?

Byron Bay is in New South Wales. But it is located in the far north of New South Wales, close to the Queensland border. If you are navigating by city, Byron Bay is much closer to Brisbane in Queensland than Sydney in New South Wales.

The drive from Brisbane to Byron Bay is 166km long. The distance from Sydney to Byron Bay is 759km. So don’t be fooled into thinking being in New South Wales makes Byron Bay closer to Sydney than Brisbane.

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.

Reasons to visit Byron Bay

Things to do in Byron Bay include taking surfing lessons or playing in the waves at Belongil Beach. You can also go kayaking with dolphins (book here) or go wildlife-spotting in the Nightcap National Park with night-vision goggles.

It’s also worth exploring the Byron Bay hinterland. To the north are lesser-known, but still beautiful, beach towns such as Cabarita Beach, Kingscliff and Tweed Heads. Inland are several national parks around Lismore and Killen Falls on the way to Ballina.

The drive from Ballina to Byron Bay takes about half an hour.