Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Byron Bay?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Byron Bay?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Byron Bay, Australia? Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Byron Bay during their visit. After all, the vegan-friendly town will let you swim at the beach, dance the night away, admire the wonderful scenery, and go shopping.

Byron Bay was once known as a hippie, surfer town, but today it has grown in popularity with the influencer crowd. You'll still find the laid back atmosphere and lively backpacker scene, but there are a growing number of luxury accommodation and restaurant options. The pristine beaches and beautiful coastal walks make this a place you'll never want to leave.

Do you have one or two days to visit Byron Bay? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Byron Bay?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the vegan-friendly town of Byron Bay, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the beaches, the nightlife, the beautiful scenery, and shopping. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around three to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Byron Bay

The beautiful beaches await you in Byron Bay, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The pristine beaches are at the heart of the appeal in this town. Main Beach is, as the name implies, right in the heart of town. Many beaches are lined with forest and there are waves that are great for surfing. At its heart, this town will always be a surfer's town.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Style Surfing Byron Bay ($57)
  • Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay ($47)
  • 2-Day Progressive Surf Lessons ($101)

This town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The nightlife scene is all about relaxed luxury. There are high end cocktail bars, piano bars, live music venues, and DJ led parties. You can head to a bistro on the beach or dance the night away at one of the nightclubs.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Byron Bay?

The town of Byron Bay boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to swim at the beach, dance the night away, admire the wonderful scenery, and go shopping. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the vegan-friendly town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to enjoy the beach and other sights. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're here.

The Pass, Byron Bay, NSW (Tourism Australia) The Pass, Byron Bay, NSW (Tourism Australia)

How to spend 2 days in Byron Bay

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Byron Bay will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.

Shopping in Byron Bay is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. In the past, this was never a shopping town, but in recent years it has attracted fashion icons and free spirits. There are many boutique shops on the main streets in town and there are still quirky stores that offer the unexpected.

Byron Bay is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's pristine beaches and laid back style make it a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay ($47)
  • Skip the Line: Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens Admission Ticket ($33)
  • Sunset Brunswick River Nature Kayak Tour ($46)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Byron Bay, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.