Byron Bay flights and travel guide

If you're considering taking cheap flights to Byron Bay for one of its festivals, book as far in advance as you can. This beautiful, laidback town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is very popular, attracting almost two million visitors each year. During peak times, even nearby towns such as Lismore and Ballina will be booked out.

The Aboriginal people called this area "Cavvanba", meaning “meeting place", but when Captain James Cook sailed along in 1770 he named it after John Byron, circumnavigator of the world and, later on, grandfather of the poet, Lord Byron.

The (admittedly somewhat tenuous) literary connection lives on in Byron Bay's street names. When the town was set out in the 19th century, the streets were named after poets. There's Keats Street, Marvell Street, Milton Street, Dryden Street and Scott Street among others. Festivals have a literary bent (the Byron Bay Writers Festival), a musical focus (Splendour In The Grass and Bluesfest) and make the most of BB's proximity to the sea (Byron Underwater Festival). There's whale watching between June and November and dolphin watching all year round.

BB offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, but it does have a definite ritzy side. However, one of the best things is free - that's taking to the Cape Byron Walking Track to see the sun rise. Cape Byron is the first part of Australia to feel the sun's rays each morning.

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Byron Bay climate

Byron Bay's climate is subtropical. Summers (December-February) are warm (and wetter than the winters) with temperatures that range between 20 and 28 degrees. Winters (June-August) are mild - the temperature ranges between 12 and 20 degrees. Spring and autumn are pleasant times to take cheap flights to Byron Bay. Spring (September to November) temperatures hover between 14 and 25 degrees, while autumn (March, April and May) temps are in the 15-27 degree range.

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When to fly to Byron Bay

This part of Australia is a four-season destination and there isn't really a bad time to take cheap flights to Byron Bay. The weather is great year-round and there are lots and lots of cultural events. Byron Bay is popular with Northern Hemisphere visitors who will be travelling during their winter to catch some sun. 

Peak Season: 

There are some "peak" times such as Schoolies (November/December), Christmas/New Year and Easter. June/July is when the Humpback whales make their annual migration from Antarctica to Northern Australia and they return during September and October. The East Coast Blues & Roots Festival around Easter time, the Underwater Festival in April, the Byron Bay Writers Festival in July/August, and the Byron Lighthouse Run in October. Whale watching season runs from June to November and dolphin-watching season runs year-round. 

Off Season: 

The weeks following Christmas and New Year, are, in general, low season, but here, winter is punctuated by the Writers Festival, which attracts visitors from around the world.

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Getting into town Byron Bay

Regardless of which airport you fly into - Ballina Byron Gateway Airport or Gold Coast Airport - there are several ways of getting to Byron Bay. There are regular shuttle services, transfers and taxi services.

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Getting around Byron Bay

Driving is by far the most popular way of getting around although Byron Bay itself is easily walkable. Blanch's Bus Company operates regular bus and coach services in the Northern NSW area.

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Byron Bay insider information

• The Byron Bay markets are held on the first Sunday of every month, selling produce from the surrounding areas. There are almost 40km of sandy beaches in the BB area. Wategos, Main Beach, Broken Head and The Pass are the patrolled beaches, most suitable for families. 
• Cape Byron's lighthouse is on the most easterly edge of mainland Australia. It dates from 1901 and the tours are popular with visitors. It's also possible to stay in the lighthouse keepers' quarters. 
• Julian Rocks Marine Park is considered to be one of the top five scuba-diving locations in the country. It's a mere 2.5km from Byron Bay. The waters teem with whales, dolphins, sharks and turtles. 
• There's a nude beach 500 metres west of Belongil Creek. To get there, drive down Grays Lane at Tyagarah. 
• Kings Beach at Broken Head Reserve is another beautiful beach. The Broken Head Nature Reserve is 6km south of Byron Bay. It contains the remnants of the coastal subtropical rainforest that was known as the "Big Scrub". There are a couple of superb walks through the rainforest - one to Kings Beach and one along the cliff top that gives wonderful sea views.

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Byron Bay airports

There are three options for travellers considering taking cheap flights to Byron Bay - Ballina Airport, Gold Coast Airport and Lismore Airport.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) (website: www.ballina.nsw.gov.au) is a 30-minute drive from Byron Bay while Gold Coast Airport, formerly known as Coolangatta Airport, (OOL) (website: www.goldcoastairport.com.au) is an hour's drive from Byron Bay. Lismore Airport (LSY) (website: www.lismore.nsw.gov.au) is about a half-hour drive from Byron Bay.

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