Where is Byron Bay?

Byron Bay is in northern New South Wales, at the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. This popular holiday town is much closer to Brisbane than it is to Sydney.

In the last couple of decades, Byron Bay has morphed from being a surfer and backpacker hangout to being one of Australia’s favourite travel destinations.

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.

But many visitors to Australia determine to go to Byron Bay without actually knowing where the town is. It’s not near the big cities, and isn’t in perennially popular areas such as Fraser Island, the Whitsundays and the Great Ocean Road.

So where is Byron Bay?

Byron Bay location

Well, the good news is that it’s easy to find Byron Bay on a map of Australia. Look at the main landmass, find the most easterly point, and you’ve found Byron Bay. Cape Byron is not the most easterly point in Australia, as Lord Howe Island is further east in the Tasman Sea.

That most easterly point is in New South Wales, but only just. It is in the north of the state, in the Northern Rivers region. The distance from Sydney to Byron Bay by road is 757km. It’s therefore best to come from the north, rather than the south. The Brisbane to Byron Bay drive is a relatively small 164km.

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.

Distances to Byron Bay from Australian towns

For a sense of perspective, these are the distances to Byron Bay from other reasonably large cities.

Surfers Paradise to Byron Bay: 93km.

Lismore to Byron Bay: 46km.

Ballina to Byron Bay: 34km.

Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay: 232km.

Port Macquarie to Byron Bay: 392km.

Whichever direction you come from, Byron Bay is a short deviation off the Pacific Highway through the town of Ewingsdale.

Things to do in Byron Bay include surfing at Belongil Beach, taking surfing lessons and kayaking with dolphins. Book the latter here.

More New South Wales travel

Swimming in Watsons Bay: Camp Cove vs Watsons Bay Baths.

Go surfing at Werri Beach in Gerringong.

Take the Husky Ferry from Myola to Huskisson.

Swim at the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool near the Kiama Blowhole.

Go on a Jervis Bay dolphin cruise from Huskisson.