Mystical, natural and spiritual. Whale watching can be all of these. How appropriate then, that Byron Bay also gets credited with these properties and is such an awesome place to view the majesty of our ocean going friends.
From June, Byron Bay becomes the capital of Humpback whale spotting. Being the most easterly point in Australia, the whales tend to come very close to shore. Our Byron Bay Big Day Out tour takes you to some of the best vantage points for fantastic viewing, including the Byron Bay Lighthouse, where you are also rewarded with incredible district and ocean views. Grab a coffee from the convenient cafe adjacent to the lighthouse and settle in to watch for “breaching” and “spouting”. Don’t forget a camera and take your long lens if you have one. Of course you’ll also be likely to spot dolphins, sea turtles and perhaps sharks most days, as an added reward for your efforts.
Lismore Lantern Parade
Nearby, the hinterland also provides many highlights to tempt you during the colder months. Join 25,000 close friends celebrating art & crafts, regional cuisine, a spectacular lantern parade, street theatre, music, carnival dancers, illuminated puppets, fire art and pyrotechnics and much, much more at the Lismore Lantern Parade. The parade comes a light on the 22nd June 2013. This year’s theme is ‘imagine’ and will held on the longest night of the year, being the winter solstice. There will also be market stalls throughout the day and a fiery finale performance at Oakes Oval illuminating the night sky! The kids love it!
While you’re here, book our Big Day Out Byron Hinterland tour and explore the beautiful surrounding Byron hinterland. Our tour includes a 2 hour bushwalk through ancient rainforests in the World Heritage listed Nightcap National Park, a visit to the stunning Minyon Falls with breath taking views, delicious BBQ style lunch and a visit to the famous little town Nimbin, host of the 1973 Aquarius Festival. Click here to view our current specials.
Byron Bay Writers Festival & Splendour in the Grass Music Festival
The Byron Bay Writers Festival also springs off the pages and into the Bay this winter from the 2nd to the 4th of August. The big news this year is literary legend Peter Carey will be featured. Other draw-cards include Robert Drewe, Andrea Goldsmith, MJ Hyland, Cate Kennedy, DBC Pierre and Michael Robotham. Events during the festival include lectures, lunches, panels, launches, readings and workshops. Splendour in the Grass also returns in 2013 (26th – 28th July) and barely needs an introduction. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets, then you’ll be making history and be amongst the first to enjoy the festival from Splendour’s own purpose built site at North Byron Parklands.
If you’re visiting Byron Bay for either festival, why not stay a few days and enjoy all the region has to offer. We offer regular day tours of Byron Bay and the Byron Hinterland. Click here to book.
Local Markets
Looking for some retail therapy, hop along to one of the many local markets. Or better still, join us on our Weekend Escape Tour, where we visit a local community market each Sunday (markets are on a rotation basis).
The Weekend Escape Tour also includes a 2 hour bushwalk through ancient rainforests in the World Heritage listed Nightcap National Park, a visit to the stunning Minyon Falls with breath taking views, a visit to the famous little town Nimbin – host of the 1973 Aquarius Festival, camping under the stars, a Sunday market, Byron Bay Lighthouse walk and much more. Click here for all the details.
Community Markets:
· 1st Saturday, Brunswick Heads, Memorial Park
· 1st Sunday, Byron Bay Community Market, Butler Street Reserve
· 1st and 3rd Sundays, Lismore Car Boot, Lismore Shopping Square (undercover)
· 2nd Sunday, The Channon, Coronation Park
· 2nd and 5th Sundays, Lennox Head, Lake Ainsworth foreshore
· 3rd Saturday, Mullumbimby, Cnr Stuart and Myocum Streets
· 3rd and 5th Sundays, Nimbin Community Market, Nimbin Community Centre
· 3rd Sunday, Ballina Market, Circus Ground, Canal Road
· 4th Sunday, Bangalow Market, Bangalow Showground
Farmers Markets:
· Every Tuesday, New Brighton Farmers Market, New Brighton Oval
· Every Thursday, Byron Bay Farmers Market, Butler Street Reserve
· Every Saturday, Bangalow Farmers Market, Bangalow Hotel Carpark
· Every Saturday, Lismore Farmers Market, Lismore Showground
