12 fun places to visit in Byron Bay with kids

If you’re in Byron Bay with kids, you’ll find plenty of entertainment options for children of different ages. You can visit animals at The Farm with toddlers, go snorkelling at Julian Rocks with bigger kids and soar through the sky on a gyrocopter with teenagers. Learn about some of the cool things to do in Byron Bay with kids for memory-making trips and days out with the family.

1. Hike along the coast on the Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk

The Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk is a scenic coastal trail along the easternmost land point of the Australian Continent. This kid-friendly route is an easy hike of roughly 2.25 kilometres out and back, overlooking beautiful views of the water and the Byron Bay Lighthouse. Be sure to bring water and pack your binoculars for potential whale-watching and dolphin-spotting opportunities along the coast. Parking options at the trailhead can be limited on weekends, but the area is less crowded on weekdays. Locals also recommend visiting the trail at sunrise or sunset for especially beautiful views of the lighthouse.

2. See some of the largest crystals on Earth at the Crystal Castle at Shambhala Gardens

One of the more unique spots to visit in Byron Bay with kids is the Crystal Castle at Shambhala Gardens. The gardens are located 20 minutes from the city in Byron Bay’s hinterland, and families often spend several hours exploring the site. You can stand between 2 of the tallest crystals yet discovered on Earth, a pair of smoky quartz crystal geodes that stand over 5 metres tall. Sit within a magical-feeling amethyst cave called the Dragon Egg or take pictures in front of a large pair of amethyst ‘wings’ known as the Wings to Eternity Mural.

3. Tour a working farm at The Farm in Byron Bay

The Farm is a working farm known for family-friendly activities and can be reached with a 10-minute drive into Byron Bay’s hinterland. Composed of a collection of micro-businesses, the farm operates on a platform of environmental support and community education. Farm-to-table meals and products, created from the farm’s plentiful crops and compassionately raised livestock, can be found at the restaurant and produce market onsite. You can watch the animals in their pastures, grab a meal or groceries from the market and explore fields of macadamia and pecan trees. Self-guided and guided tours of the farm are available, and there’s a children’s playground.

4. Play mini golf at Macadamia Castle

Macadamia Castle is one of the iconic destinations near Byron Bay for kids, offering famed dining options, entertainment and a wildlife park. The castle is located in Knockrow, south of Byron Bay and just off the Pacific Motorway. Attractions at Macadamia Castle range from rides and games to an Animal Fun Park, mini-golf course and treehouse playground. Don’t forget to order some of the castle’s famous pancakes while you’re visiting the on-site cafe, and a bar is also available for beer, wine and cocktails. Additional activities include face painting, shows, keeper talks and daily family activities.

5. Take a solar-powered train ride on the Byron Bay Train

The Byron Bay Train is a classic 600-class railcar that’s been uniquely converted to operate on solar power. Operating on a return shuttle between Sunrise Beach’s North Beach Station and the Byron Beach Station on Lawson Street, tickets are budget-friendly for families, with children under 5 riding free. The train has plenty of room for prams, bikes and surfboards and offers a selection of meals, snacks and refreshments.

6. Go snorkelling in the Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve

The Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve offers outdoor adventures and fun things to do with kids in Byron Bay. This protected nature reserve is in the northern region of NSW, comprising a group of small islets in the Byron Bay. A popular destination for snorkelling and diving, the islets house a diverse array of marine life, from grey nurse sharks and leopard sharks to nudibranchs and wobbegong. You can take a seasonal whale-watching cruise in the reserve and learn about indigenous folklore that relates to this historic region.

7. Go on a horseback-riding tour in Byron Bay

Horseback riding is a popular family activity in Byron Bay, with many local companies offering unique adventure tours and riding opportunities in the area. Options range from horseback sightseeing tours around Byron Bay to trekking through the subtropical woodlands and sunset rides on the beach. The various companies have different requirements for participating children, so it’s best to see their individual websites for details before booking.

8. Play in the surf and sand on Byron Bay beaches

Your list of kids’ activities in Byron Bay should definitely include some time on the beach, and you’ll find plenty of family-friendly beach options in the area. Among Byron Bay’s most popular family beaches are Main Beach, featuring a central location and year-round beach patrols, and Lennox Head, Clarkes and Wategos beaches. For some of the best snorkelling and diving in Byron Bay, you can head to Lenox Reef and Julian Rocks. Surfing beaches include Lennox Point at Lennox Head, Shelly Beach in Ballina and The Wreck Beach, where you can surf near a shipwreck.

9. Soar above Byron Bay on a sunrise hot-air balloon ride

Riding in a hot-air balloon is on many people’s bucket list, and it’s one of the fun family activities available in Byron Bay. Multiple companies in the area offer rides and tours on a hot-air balloon in Byron Bay. Sunrise trips are especially popular with families, offering the chance to watch the sun come up over the Australian mainland from high above the ground. Be sure to check the age and height requirements for participating children before booking a hot-air balloon tour.

10. Create a little magic at the Emporium of Wonders

Kids’ activities in Byron Bay include the Emporium of Wonders, a creative space for imagination and make-believe for children. Kids can dress up as a mythical creature, princess, pirate or fairy and participate in activities, special events and holiday experiences. The Emporium’s boutique supplies everything from eco-friendly glitter to fairy miniatures, costumes, props and toys.

11. Join the circus at Circus Arts Byron Bay

Circus Arts Byron Bay is a local indoor circus venue offering family activities and kid-friendly attractions in Byron Bay. A range of classes is available for kids, teenagers and adults, as well as circus-themed parties, workshops and events, and a large indoor play space for children. Equipment ranges from a high-flying trapeze and tumble track to aerial silks, lyra, trampolines and climbing walls. Ninja and parkour lessons are available for kids 5-16 years old, and there’s a tiny circus class for kids under 5.

12. Soar high in the sky with Byron Bay Gyrocopters

One of the unique things to do in Byron Bay with teenagers is to take a flight with Byron Bay Gyrocopters. Different flights and tours are available in these specialised modern aircraft, from 30-minute sightseeing tours to longer cross-country adventures and whale-watching tours. You can fly as a passenger or take training courses from the company and learn how to fly the gyrocopter yourself. Participants must be at least 14 years of age, and anyone under 16 requires a written consent form from parents or guardians to participate.