Byron Bay is one of the most popular places to visit on the East Coast of Australia. It’s a surfer’s paradise and the beaches are beautiful – but it’s also busy, and expensive! If you’re wanting to get out of town, give yourself a few days to explore the Byron Bay hinterland. The rural area away from the coast is perfect for hiking and getting away from the crowds. Here are the best things to do outside Byron Bay!
Killen Falls
This waterfall is just a short 1km walk from the parking area. The trail is steep to get down to the base of the falls, and you will have to walk over lots of rocks to get to the pool. But it’s a beautiful spot – it’s also popular for swimming!
Driving Distance From Byron Bay: 25-30 minutes
Goonengerry Falls
Goonengerry Falls is located in Goonengerry National Park, which is a new park – before this, it was a state forest and there aren’t many facilities. Not many people know about this waterfall, but I think that’ll change! I only saw one other car and one other group of people while I was here. There are number of hikes you can do here: the Southern Boundary Loop will take about 1.5-2 hours, while the Northern Boundary Loop will take most of the day. I chose to just hike along the path to the waterfall and back.
The trail takes you to the top of the waterfall, so you can’t actually see the water dropping down itself. But the views are unbelievable – the mist cleared while I was here, and I was rewarded with an epic view of the surrounding rainforest!
I recommend pinning the exact location of the car park on Google Maps before you go. I had no (Optus) phone signal here. The road is unpaved (gravel) and there are some large potholes. In dry weather, I think you could probably do it (slowly) with 2WD, although I would highly recommend having 4WD.
Driving Distance From Byron Bay: 40 minutes
Minyon Falls
This is probably the most popular waterfall in the Byron Bay hinterland. But it’s popular for a reason – it’s stunning! The view over the rainforest from Minyon Falls Lookout is epic, and will definitely make you feel small. It’s a nice spot for lunch as there’s a big picnic area here, and was busy with families/kids when I visited. If you’re visiting Byron Bay, you need to make time to see Minyon Falls.
I definitely recommend hiking the Minyon Falls Base Trail. The full circuit of the falls (which starts/finishes at the lookout) was unfortunately closed when I visited. But I drove over from the lookout to the car park at Minyon Grass Picnic Area, and did the hike to the base of the falls and back. The final section is scrambling over huge boulders to reach the waterfall base – it was raining when I went, and the rocks were all wet and slippery. It wasn’t dangerous, but be very cautious doing this section of the hike in wet weather. This hike was approximately 4.5km and took me 1.5 hours. Note that I ended up with a lot of leeches after this hike – for that reason, I don’t recommend swimming in the pool at the base of the falls!
Driving Distance From Byron Bay: 45 minutes
Whian Whian Falls
This is a small set of waterfalls, but a peaceful spot to visit in the Byron Bay hinterland. It’s a short walk (about 200 meters or so) to get to the waterfalls. The trail is easy to follow, once you get to the creek the falls will be on your left. I recommend pinning the exact location on Google Maps – there is a small parking area off the road here, with room for a handful of cars. Do be careful here, as a man told me he’d seen a python on the other side of the creek!!
Driving Distance From Byron Bay: 45 minutes
Nimbin and Mullumbimby
These are two small towns outside Byron Bay that make for a nice daytrip. Nimbin is very much a hippie town (Australia’s self-proclaimed “alternative lifestyle capital”) – check out Nimbin Rocks and the markets here. Mullumbimby, also known as Mullum, is a laid-back place with small-town vibes. See the murals, the sculpture walk, and the markets – there’s plenty of cafes, restaurants, and pubs, too.
Driving Distance From Nimbin to Byron Bay: 1 hour 15 minutes
Driving Distance From Mullumbimby to Byron Bay: 20 minutes
Planning Your Trip to the Byron Bay Hinterland
The nearest airport to Byron Bay is Ballina airport, but Gold Coast airport might have better flight options. I use Skyscanner to book my flights. You’ll definitely need a car to visit these places – they aren’t accessible by public transport. There are plenty of options for places to stay if you’re wanting to avoid Byron Bay (I don’t blame you, haha!). If you’re wanting to camp, Rummery Park at Minyon Falls is an affordable option close to the waterfalls.
Looking for somewhere to stay in Byron Bay? I like the look of the following spots:
- Wake Up! Byron Bay (hostel)
- YHA Byron Bay (hostel)
- The Surf House (hostel)
- The Lord Byron (hotel)
- Atlantic Byron Bay (boutique hotel)
- 28 Degrees (luxury guesthouse)
You can use the map below to search!
Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. If you’re thinking about a day tour from Byron Bay, check out the options below!
There is a lot to do outside of Byron Bay in the rural area. If you have even more time, head to Nightcap National Park for more hikes! But if you only have a day or two, these are some of the best places to see around the city. I hope this post helps if you’re wanting to chase waterfalls in the hinterland!
Have you visited Byron Bay? I’d love to know your thoughts on the city!
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A Guide to Jervis Bay, New South Wales
Exploring the Waterfall Way: Bellingen to Wollomombi, New South Wales
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Moving to Oz on a Working Holiday Visa: How to Start Your Life in Australia
Australia Budget: Month 2 (May 2023)
All of my Australia posts!
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