Tag Archives: Byron Bay Tours

Booking a Tour vs. Going it Alone: Why it Pays to Book a Tour

If you’ve decided to read this article then you’re probably in one of two mindsets – firstly you’re considering the option of booking a tour on your next Byron Bay getaway or you’ve already booked yourself into what sounds like an amazing tour but you’re still a little unsure. Either way, we understand and we’re here to help.

We know that tours can be thought of as “not for real travellers”, for people who enjoy buses or worse still only for twenty-something party goers (think Euro party tours…eeeek). The reality is that a GREAT guided tour (and we place a lot of emphasis on the word GREAT because quality really does make a difference) will add so much to experiencing your chosen destination and often leave you with a deeper appreciation of a place than if you had explored it on your own.

Don’t get us wrong, finding things for yourself is a fun and an exciting part of travel, but a guide who has all the inside information can save you hours of research time, hidden expenses and the hassle of packing mountains of camping gear and equipment. It’s also the snippets of local-only knowledge that will have you looking at your destination through a whole new set of eyes.

Here are our top 5 reasons why it pays to book a tour (especially with Byron Bay Adventure Tours!) instead of flying solo:

1. YOUR TIME IS PRECIOUS

Getting a little help to get the most out of your precious holiday in Byron Bay is the same as using your dishwasher at home. You could do it all yourself but WHY?? An expert, experienced guide will have done their job thousands of times over and know what combination of activities and landmarks work well together. They know the quickest roads and short cuts to get you there, and often have special access levels to cut through queues and other time wasting obstacles. Here at Byron Bay Adventure Tours we have spent many years perfecting our tours creating combinations of activities to suit all tastes and abilities. We want you to get most out of every minute and leave Byron Bay knowing you’ve haven’t wasted a second.

2. LIGHTEN THE LOAD

Tents, mountain bikes, kayaks, life jackets, head lights, safety gear, sleeping bags and food. Whew! Try bringing all that on a plane. Booking a Byron Bay Adventure Tour means you can have the use of top quality gear without having to bring it with you, hire it or carry it. Sound good? – It is. If you’re backpacking, camper vanning or only taking a short break, the burden of loads of equipment or purchasing gear you may only use once is something you just don’t need. So leave that concern for your friendly and helpful tour operator who should gladly (like we do) provide you with everything you’ll need to be paddling, riding or camping out and then say goodbye to it when you’re done. It’s so much easier and leaves space in your pack for the souvenirs and special finds you’ll pick up on your adventures!

3. SAFETY FIRST

You may not want to think about it, but when you’re travelling there are plenty of things that can and do go wrong. It’s an unfortunate fact that every year thousands of travellers get themselves into trouble, get injured or take unnecessary risks by simply misjudging their timing or experience (especially when venturing into nature). When you choose an accredited tour company, like we are, you’re not only getting a great experience but you’re also getting the reassurance and peace of mind that your safety and well-being is at the top of the priority list.

4. BUILD FRIENDSHIPS

Regardless of whether you’re travelling with a group or on your own, meeting people is part of what makes travel such an alluring pursuit. When you have the freedom of not having to worry about the details, a tour can be a fantastic way to get to know other travellers and also meet the locals. Sharing the sheer adrenalin of mountain biking in the rainforests of Minyon Falls, flying over the most easterly point of Australia in a Gyrocopter or making it to the summit of Mt Warning at dawn, you can’t help but form friendships with those you are with. It’s part of being human and brings people together.

5. R.E.S.P.E.C.T

It’s a beautiful thing to get close to nature. Exploring a regions natural wonders with an accredited eco-tourism operator is an ethical way of doing so. As a fully eco-certified tour operator, we know what it means to tread lightly and leave as little impact on our World Heritage Areas, National Parks and Marine Reserves – which are home to some of the rarest plants and creatures on earth. If you believe in protecting our planet for future generations to enjoy, make travel choices that reflect this and go home with a clean and green conscience.

There’s one thing that we will always come back to when talking about adventure tours, and that’s finding the good ones. Experience, friendliness and local knowledge are all essential but you’ll be able to tell the best from the rest by what fellow travellers have had to say. As tour guides we not only love our beautiful Byron Bay home, but also love what we do and we put our hearts and souls into making each and every trip full of incredible and unforgettable moments. Every person who comes with us, from team building day trips to world travellers to families to couples, are given our best EVERY TIME.

Like to see what your fellow traveller thinks about Byron Bay Adventure Tours? Click here to read our TripAdvisor reviews.

To book your Byron Bay Adventure Tour today, click here.

Top 5 Camping Tips from the Adventure Experts

Camping – it goes hand in hand with the word adventure. To some it means a truck load of fancy modern gizmos to bring the luxuries of home to the great outdoors, and to others it’s greeting the challenge of person vs. wild with gritted teeth and a handful of berries. We think the perfect camping trip lies somewhere in-between. So as regular and proficient campers who take hundreds of people out every year to enjoy the magic of a night in nature, we thought who better to give you a few handy tips and tricks to make your camping easier and more enjoyable. Of course you could always tag along on one our overnight tours and get to see Byron Bay, Mt Warning and its beautiful rainforested hinterland. Either way…lets go camping!

Camping Top Tip 5 – Choosing Your Tent Site

If you’re unfamiliar with an area the top option is to always choose a designated camp site. Not only are you more likely to have at least some facilities but it has already been chosen by experts as a safe place to spend a night. However if you decide to “go bush” here’s our advice. Choose a very gently sloping or flat site to camp on. DO NOT choose a dry river bed. Sometimes it’s very inviting to do so because the ground is nice and flat but heavy rain, even kilometres away, can fill the river up very quickly and can be life threatening. A clearing or a protected grove like we have for our Mt Warning base camp is ideal.

Camping Top Tip 4 – Fire Starter

A camping trip without a campfire is like well… not really anywhere near as good as camping with a campfire. So rain, hail or shine be assured of getting your fire started, even with wet kindling by using an empty egg carton. They light easy and burn for quite a time long enough to light the kindling. ½ an egg carton should be enough so you’ll get more than 1 night’s worth if you can keep it dry. The campfire is the hub of your campsite, a place to unwind at the end of the day, share stories and roast marshmallows.

Tip 1: If you’re not a fan of mosquito coils or chemical repellents, keep biting mozzies at bay by burning a sage smudge stick on the fire. Now your nights can be itch free – naturally. Which brings us to our next tip about dreaded creepy crawlies…

Tip 2: The right way to put out a campfire is to:

Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible
Pour lots of water on the fire, drown ALL embers, not just the red ones
Pour until hissing sound stops
Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel
Stir and make sure everything is wet and they are cold to the touch
If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool. Remember: do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.

Camping Top Tip 3 – Keeping the Bugs Out

It may seem like plain old common sense, but the best way to keep the bugs out of the tent and get a restful night’s sleep is to keep your tent zipper closed AT ALL TIMES. Keep food and wrappers packed away after meal times to avoid attracting cheeky scavengers and it also pays to bring your shoes into the tent at night so little nasties can’t find their way in overnight. To keep your tent clean, have an empty container with a lid, a bucket or a plastic bag handy near the door to pop your shoes in. This way your shoes are dry, safe and within easy reach for those late night or early morning runs behind a tree.

Camping Top Tip 2 – Water Wise

Although we spoil our customers with running water and hot showers when we go camping, saving water can be a big issue – especially if you have had to carry in your water supply or have found yourself with limited supply. Simple tasks like washing your hands and face can use a surprising amount of water – but not if you’re smart. Another common problem is that you have to hold your water bottle in one hand to wash both of your hands. The trick here (be brave now) is to put water in your mouth and let it run into your hands. This way your mouth becomes the water tap. Need to freshen up your face too? Keep your hands close to your face and spit the water in to your hands cleaning your face at the same time. This way you can wash your hands and face with just one cup of water. You may not need this trick often but if the time comes when it is needed you will find that this will make your water go so much further than you ever thought possible.

Camping Top Tip 1 – Leave Only Footprints

Packing up your camp site and leaving it the way you found it is always one, if not THE most important things to remember when camping. Take out all rubbish and bury all food scraps. Cover your fire with dirt to ensure it is out – no one wants to be responsible for a bush fire. If every camper makes this little extra effort then the pristine places we like to escape to will remain this way. If not – then we defeat the purpose of going camping at all. Here at Byron Bay Adventure Tours we have gone through many checks and balances to be eco-tourism certified business, which means showing that we protect the environment that we go into.

Few More Handy Hints:

Packing up a sleeping back is easier than many people think: don’t roll it up nice and neat but stuff it into the bag as it is. This way the filling will last much longer and you get more years out of your sleeping bag.
If it rains and you are inside your tent, try to maintain the gap between outer shell and inner layer of your tent by not pushing your bags hard up against the inner tent layer or leaning against it. As soon as the inner layer touches the outer layer the rain will come through.

Byron Bay Adventure Tours Camping Tours:

Why a Byron Bay Team Building Event is Great for Your Business

Adding a team building event or an incentive program for your company’s employees is a really innovative way to inspire, motivate and get the best from your staff whilst making your business a happier and more successful unit. Here at Byron Bay Adventure Tours we specialise in taking ordinary people and getting them to see and do extraordinary things. With the help of our local partners we not only showcase the incredible natural beauty of our region but also take participants on a journey, helping to bring out the best in your team which often reveals some completely unexpected outcomes.

Why include Team Building in your Byron Bay Corporate Event or Conference?

There is so much to be gained from a successful, well thought out and engaging team activity and this goes well beyond helping everyone get along better. From a business point of view getting your staff engaged in a challenging campaign away from the office and out in nature, such as ourMount Warning Day Walk, Big Day Out Byron Hinterland Tour or our Earth to Surf Adventure Tour, can give you and your team a new perspective and gain valuable insights into these areas:

See the rise of strengths and the surfacing of weaknesses. When the going gets tough who has the fortitude and pluck to push through? Who plans well and can be resourceful and think ahead? Are there clear leaders amongst your group? How does your team relate to you and each other? Is there trust amongst your group? Who are the team players? Does someone need to work on their listening skills? You may be surprised at what you uncover. The secret however, is taking this knowledge back to the work space and making the most of what you’ve learned.

What motivates your crew? Healthy competition can be a great motivator. Your business can really take leaps forward when employees are presented with the right incentives for putting in the extra miles and achieving milestones. Here at Byron Bay Adventure Tours our awe-inspiring encounters and experiences could easily be offered as a rewards scheme to say thank-you to your employees’. Think kayaking with dolphins,exploring majestic waterfalls or a full day Byron Hinterland sight-seeing tour complete with delicious food.

Build confidence. “I made it!”, “I would never have thought I could do that!”, “We got there!!!”.The sense of achievement, both personally and as a group, that comes from mountain biking through the forest or reaching the peak of the iconic Mount Warning will build self-confidence in your team. This is priceless in business. As experts in adventure we arm your group with everything they need – so failure is not an option.

How to Make It Stand Out

For a team event to be truly successful and leave your participants amped with enthusiasm and talking about it for a long time to come, you MUST bring something special to your event. Byron Bay is the ultimate destination and the mere mention of it is bound to have your registrations filling fast. With a sub-tropical cocktail of natural encounters, adrenalin thrill-seeking and picture postcard scenery – we have all the elements for an unforgettable team event.

Where to Start?

If you’re a corporate events organiser or business owner having to think out all the small details, this can often take the fun out of an event. Here’s where the team at Byron Bay Adventure Tours really come to the fore. Having years’ of expert experience organising groups both small and large, our guides can help you through the process of choosing the right tour or activity for your group whilst offering the best value for money. It’s handy to know that we also work closely with the The Byron at Byron conference team, who offer purpose-built facilities and accommodation for conferences and business events.

Let the Adventure Begin…

Action and adventure are true partners, so let us help you add vitality, zest and fun to your event whilst at the same time improving your business in real and measurable ways. So take the plunge, try something new and book your next team building activity with Byron Bay Adventure Tours!

5 Tips For Staying Fit on Holidays – Byron Bay Guide

We all know including exercise, fresh air and sunshine into our regular daily routines is one of the most important elements of staying fit, healthy and ready for all the hurdles life throws at us. So when we break out of regular routine and go travelling, away from our 24 hour gyms and personal trainers, does this mean we can’t keep up our healthy habits? Absolutely not – especially if you’re coming to Byron Bay, a place where we embrace healthy living. We’re going to show you 5 easy tips that you can include in your getaway that will leave you feeling fantastic, give you new vitality and the knowledge that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. This is the real deal and we’ve headed out into nature to work our bodies, and inspire our hearts…

1. On Top of the World: You vs. MT Warning

Standing tall and proud above you, with its feet in the Wollumbin World Heritage Area and its head often in the clouds, Mt Warning is a fitness challenge and an amazing naturescape all in one! With 1000 stairs spread over 8.8kms up and back, you’ll be working your legs, lungs and as the track steepens in the final stage of the climb, you’ll be in the midst of a total body workout. But the best thing about this 4-5 hour full body training session is that when you reach the top, the view is so magnificent, the feeling of achievement so great that the hard work melts away and all you’re left with is sound of the wind and your heart beat. Every climb is unique, so from summer to winter or from to dawn to dusk, your brushes with wildlife, the view and the whole experience will change. That’s why we offer a range of Mt Warning adventures from day trips to overnight camping and sunrise climbs, giving you total control over your climb and everything you’ll need to make it to the top. Sound great? Check out the options here.

2. Pump It Up: Pedal Powered High

Hitting the Byron hinterland rainforest on a mountain bike, expect lots of mud splattering, laughter and plenty of clean forest air. You could not find a better way to get into the wilderness, see waterfalls and cold mountain streams and get your pulse rate high, than this. You’ll feel the rush of downhill speed, get up a sweat and be cooled by the rainforest which is home to some unique creatures that sometimes like to say hello. High adrenalin and high calorie burning adventure at its best! Click here for more info.

3. Paddle Pop: Sea Kayaking

If we told you there was a way to get a low impact workout that increases your flexibility and works your whole body, especially your arms, torso and abs all while sitting down would you believe us? Join us out on the water for a sea kayaking adventure that, aside from the workout, could lead to some salt water encounters with turtles, dolphins and even whales. Earth to Surf is not a meat laden plate with a side of seafood, it’s a healthy and refreshing way to get a glimpse of Australia’s most easterly point from the sea. Gain a whole new appreciation of the beauty of the Byron Bay coastline and its marine creatures and let the salt air and spray wash away your stress.

4. A “Light” Workout: Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk

If you’re staying in Byron Bay you can’t help but notice that morning and evening there are so many locals and visitors walking and running in workout gear up and down the Lighthouse Walk and there’s a very good reason. This track offers a great combination of hill climb resistance, stairs and stopping points for stretches all with a magical view 365 days of the year. During whale season you’ll have the best vantage point to get a glimpse of these majestic ocean giants. Our Byron Bay: Big Day Out Adventure Tour will take you there followed by a “post workout” treat – a BBQ lunch.

5. Double Trouble: Ultimate Work Out Combos

There are those of us (the Byron Bay Adventure crew included) that feel a single activity is just not enough to give us the rush and the workout we are looking for. Including different types of exercise does in fact make your health regime more successful overall and so, to cater for these types, we have created some great combination tours that pair up our adventure activities and also add the amazing experience of camping out under the stars with some new found friends. Our Overnight Escape, Ocean to Summit and Bike n Hike Tours can give you this “ultimate workout” over 2 days and mixes it all up with some enjoyable down time to rest your working bodies. You are on holidays after all.

Being fit and healthy takes commitment, but as we have shown you it can also be a huge amount of fun. Byron Bay Adventure Tours are passionate about helping people enjoy healthy outdoor adventure, but we are always committed to taking the time and care to do it safely and without putting you, ourselves or the pristine environments we visit in any danger. When we drop you home after a Byron Bay Adventure Tour we want you feeling on top of the world.

Byron Bay Winter Wanderlust

As the summer crowds thin and the temperatures begin to ease, Byron Bay reveals a whole new side! Winter is the perfect time to enjoy clear starry nights by the camp fire (not to mention mugs of hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows!), the magic of the humpback whale migration, forest mountain biking, daytime rainforest hikes and leisurely strolls through the streets of the regions many pretty hinterland towns. If you’ve never considered Byron Bay in the wintertime, then read on to find out why we love this time of year!

On a Byron Hinterland High!

Winter is the perfect time to explore the Byron hinterland and the cooler months lend themselves perfectly to our new full day Byron and Beyond Tour! After a visit to the Byron Bay lighthouse to watch the humpback whales glide past Australia’s easternmost tip, our tour heads bush with our first hinterland stop being Crystal Castle. Breathe in the fresh air, while strolling around the stunning Shambhala Gardens, including towering pillars of amethysts, enormous Ganesh and Lakshmi statues and the southern hemisphere’s only Kalachakra World Peace Stupa (an amazing project that was personally blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama).

From here we take you on a journey through rippling valleys of macadamia, pecan and coffee plantations and mountain-tops covered in lush sub-tropical rainforests. We’ll visit the rural area ofEltham, including a beautiful old farmhouse pantry for a home cooked lunch, as well as Bangalow, an arty and chic village that is much-loved by locals and visitors. From rainforests to farmlands to oceans and more, you’ll be surprised at what’s around the next corner on the Byron and Beyond Tour.

Adventure Temperature

Getting adventurous in Byron Bay during winter is the ultimate way to warm up! Cool crisp mornings leading into clear and glorious sunny days, with average temperatures hovering around 22 degrees. The Nightcap and Border Ranges National Parks conceals hundreds of walking trails for exploration and if you’ve ever contemplated making the odyssey to the peak of Mt Warning, especially if you have kids in tow, then winter is an excellent time to climb. But with shorter days you’ll need good planning and an early start to make sure you don’t end up coming down in the dark. One fantastic way to do this is by camping overnight at the foot of the mountain before you climb. Nothing beats spending a night around a cosy camp fire star gazing, followed by a morning bush walk to soak up the first sun rays to touch Australia. We have a range of Mt Warning Tours to suit everyone including our Mt Warning Sunrise Walk, Mt Warning Day Walk andThe Overnight Escape Tour.

Somewhat different to the feeling of Mt Warning is the ancient landscape around Minyon Falls. Even travelling along the high mountain road into this National Park will spark something in you that it hard to find anywhere else. Looking out from the top of the falls you will see a view spread before you that’s been locked in time including ancient palms, dramatic escarpments and age-old rock pools. Hike, explore and enjoy a hot BBQ lunch with our Big Day Out Hinterland Tour including the cascading Minyon Falls, as well as a visit to the historic town of Bangalow.

The forest trails around Minyon Falls and Rummery Park are also well known as ideal terrain for both beginner and experienced mountain bikers and will get you into the thick of it without feeling the heat. If you’re travelling light then no problems, all equipment including superior quality front-suspension bikes are provided on our Bike ‘n Hike Adventure Tour! Why ignore the outdoors this winter? LIVE IT! You won’t regret it.

Winter Whales

Byron Bay welcomes visitors all year round from every country and walk of life, but none are more special than the humpback whales that stop and play on their yearly migration. Timing your Byron Bay visit to coincide with these immense creatures can lead to some incredible encounters. Soak up the sun and ocean views as we take you to some of the best whale spotting vantage pointson one of our many tours including our Byron and Beyond Tour, Big Day Out Byron Bay Tour or The Overnight Escape Tour.

But for travellers with an affinity for the ocean and who dream of having the chance of an up close encounter with these remarkable creatures – then a sea kayak adventure out on the Bay is a must-do! Our Earth to Surf Adventure Tour or Ocean to Summit Adventure Tour both include kayaking with our tour partner Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay. The township of Byron Bay and its residents adore the whales and you’ll find them celebrated in galleries around towns by artists and photographers so after your whale watching experiences be sure to take a piece of Byron Bay home with you.

Double Up!

If you’re planning your first trip to Byron Bay, or you’re heading back to uncover more of its secrets, then you may find it difficult to decide on what to do and see. Tossing up between climbing Mt Warning or mountain biking? Kayaking and seeing the hinterland? Then our best advice is – don’t. Take two bites of the cherry and get the best insider information by having locals show you around in a way that gets the best out of every minute.

Pick from a number of tours that offer a range of experiences including the Byron and Beyond Tour, The Overnight Escape Tour, Earth to Surf Adventure Tour, Bike ‘n Hike Adventure Tour andOcean to Summit Adventure Tour. We’ve put the best of our knowledge together to show visitors what makes this part of the world unlike any other. Because here at Byron Bay Adventure Tours we have a real romance with the wildlife, scenery and landscape of this area, especially in winter.

We look forward to sharing it with you soon.