Wategos Beach, Byron BayCredit: Destination NSW
Sunrise over Wategos Beach, Byron Bay.
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Visiting New South Wales for Sydney WorldPride? With 300 events over 17 days (17 February - 5 March 2023), you'll be in need of some R&R after hanging up your dancing shoes. Hit reset post-party and escape to the iconic coastal town of Byron Bay, where new discoveries await. Refresh with a drink at a hot new bar, book a tour to experience Byron more deeply, or simply relish the opportunity to relax and recharge in one of the most glamorous corners of the state. Read on for some itinerary inspiration.
Choose your own culinary adventure
Lean into Byron’s focus on wholesome, locally sourced produce, kicking off a memorable day with a hearty breakfast at the likes of Bayleaf, The Byron Bay General Store or Topshop. Or meet the farm animals at Three Blue Ducks, set on a working farm on the northern fringe of town.
Soak up the dreamy Wategos Beach views as you savour a memorable, Mediterranean-inspired lunch at Raes Dining Room, in the luxe Raes on Wategos boutique hotel, or at Beach Byron Bay, perched above Clarkes Beach. Or people-watch from breezy, elevated locations at more casual contemporary restaurants such as Balcony Bar and Oyster Co. and Loft Byron Bay.
Feel spoiled for choice for dinner options in Byron, with buzzy Asian restaurants Light Years and Bang Bang always a good bet for a fun, zingy meal. Try something different and reserve a table at newer restaurants such as pastel pink-hued Belongil Beach Italian Food, or Moonlight for contemporary Japanese. Be wowed by the extensive, natural-leaning wine list at Bar Heather in the new Jonson Lane precinct and be enticed by its creative, share-style menu. Enjoy the pub vibe and bistro fare, beers and tunes at The Rails, the Beach Hotel or the Great Northern.
Immerse yourself in nature
Harness the restorative benefits of Byron’s lush subtropical surroundings on an invigorating stroll to the Cape Byron Lighthouse via the 3.7km Cape Byron Walking Track — it’s a beautiful walk at any time of the day, with dolphin sightings always likely. Watching humpback whales making their annual migration along Australia’s east coast from May to November from the elevated track can feel like a spiritual experience. Indeed, Cape Byron is deeply significant to local Arakwal Bundjalung people; connect with its Aboriginal stories on a riveting walking tour with Arakwal Bundjalung woman Delta Kay. Delta also guides bush food tours in the Byron Bay Hinterland with Vision Walks Eco Tours.
Then roll out your towel on Byron’s famous beaches including Main Beach, which curves east towards The Pass, a famous surf beach with an epic right-hand point break. Ogle some of the state’s most exclusive real estate as you enjoy a dip at Wategos, or get a thrill on a surf lesson with expert coaches from the likes of Lets Go Surfing Byron Bay or Soul Surf School.
Commune with turtles, eagle rays and more on an action-packed snorkelling or scuba diving trip to Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli), 2.5km off the coast, with Sundive or Byron Bay Dive Centre. Marvel at playful cetaceans on seasonal Byron Bay whale watching tours, and kayak alongside curious bottlenose dolphins year-round with Cape Byron Kayaks or Go Sea Kayak.
Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay Credit: Madeleine Johnson / Sean Fennessy
Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay
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Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay Credit: Madeleine Johnson / Sean Fennessy
Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay
Go Sea Kayak, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial over a guided kayak tour with Go Sea Kayak, Byron Bay.
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Go Sea Kayak, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial over a guided kayak tour with Go Sea Kayak, Byron Bay.
Dip into Byron’s wellness scene
Slow your breath and calm your mind on a yoga class at Creature Yoga or Bamboo Yoga School, to name just a few of the many popular yoga studious in famously alternative Byron. Feel your core in a whole new way during a Pilates class at Bende, or embrace the endorphin rush of a faster-paced workout at Hustl. Treat yourself to a restorative massage at the likes of Comma or Endota Spa, or perhaps a relaxing infra-red sauna session followed by a heart-starting ice bath at Nimbus Co.
Indulge in retail therapy
Shop like a local at Byron’s coveted clutch of fashion boutiques. Head to the new Jonson Lane precinct at the southern end of Byron’s main street to find local activewear brand Nagnata as well as labels Deiji Studios, Saturdays NYC and Venroy. Also in town is cult womenswear label Spell, which also sells whimsical clothing for little bohemians; Auguste, known for its feminine floral dresses; and Rowie, another popular homegrown casual-chic womenswear label. Then head to Byron’s Arts and Industry Estate to try on handmade leather footwear and apparel for women at St. Agni, surfwear for men and women at McTavish, and beachwear for women and kids at Zulu and Zephyr.
Slumber in style
Nod off to the soothing sounds of the subtropical rainforest surrounding eco-luxe Crystalbrook Byron, which recently welcomed an Eléme Spa. Feel similarly calmed by the nature-based setting of the Elements of Byron resort at the northern end of town, which has direct beach access and an adults-only pool, or step back into old-school Byron at The Sunseeker, a recently reimagined 1980s hotel with a playful retro vibe.
If guesthouses are more your style, you’ll feel right at home at 28 Degrees and Bask & Stow. Enjoy the best of both worlds, along with a highly Instagrammable circular pool, at centrally located boutique hotel The Bower Byron Bay.
Elements of Byron Bay, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Elements of Byron guests enjoying morning beachfront yoga sessions, Byron Bay.
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Elements of Byron Bay, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Elements of Byron guests enjoying morning beachfront yoga sessions, Byron Bay.
Crystalbrook Byron, Byron Bay Credit: The Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort
Chill out by the pool at Crystalbrook Byron, resort in Byron Bay.
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Crystalbrook Byron, Byron Bay Credit: The Byron at Byron, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort
Chill out by the pool at Crystalbrook Byron, resort in Byron Bay.
Blue Pool, BermaguiCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic Blue Pool on the Bermagui coastline.
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You’ll find spectacular ocean pools dotted along the southern coastline of New South Wales. These handmade pools, fed by the ocean’s waves, are often built into the rocks near beautiful sandy beaches, can be hidden away along the coastline and are enjoyed mostly by locals. Ocean pools are great for kids learning how to swim, lap swimming and for a dip on the days when the waves are a little too big for your liking. Here’s where to find an ocean pool on the coast south of Sydney.
In the Illawarra
You’ll find many spectacular ocean pools in the Illawarra area, from south of the Royal National Park all the way through to the popular seaside town of Kiama. These include lovely pools at Coledale, Bulli, Towradgi, Port Kembla and North Wollongong.
Take the road through the Royal National Park to Stanwell Park and onto Coalcliff Beach, where the ocean pool is set against a dramatic backdrop of the escarpment.
Nuns Pool, at Flagstaff Point in Wollongong, is one of the oldest in the state, dating back to the 1830s. (The title of oldest ocean pool goes to the Bogey Hole in Newcastle, north of Sydney. It was built by convicts in 1819.) Located below the lighthouse, the Nuns Pool (formerly known as Chain Baths and used by the nuns of St Mary’s convent) sits in a small, sheltered cove and is accessed via a narrow path chiselled into the sandstone.
Further south at Kiama, the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool offers a safe swimming spot near the area’s famous blowhole, the largest in the world, on a headland near the town centre. This beautiful, hand-cut pool is an irregular shape and has a varied depth and rock bottom – it was also once a men-only bath. You can also take the 15-minute walk around Kiama Harbour from the blowhole to Black Beach Reserve. Here you can do 50-metre laps in the Olympic-size Continental Ocean Pool.
A 15-minute drive south of Kiama is the tiny coastal town of Gerringong. Head down to Gerringong’s Werri Beach for a swim at Ourie Ocean Pool, at the southern end of the beach. This rectangular pool, carved into a flat rock shelf, has a smooth concrete bottom and is perfect for a summer’s day dip.
Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
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Bulli Rockpool, Bulli Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Bulli Rockpool, Bulli.
Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
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Ourie Pool, Gerringong Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic aerial over Ourie Pool off Werri Beach, Gerringong.
From the Illawarra to the Shoalhaven
Drive an hour further south into the Shoalhaven region and seek out Huskisson Sea Pool at Huskisson. This coastal town has a rich shipbuilding heritage, which you can explore at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum after your swim.
A 45-minute drive south of Huskisson brings you to Mollymook, where you’ll find the South Coast’s famous Bogey Hole, a natural rock pool on the headland south of the beach. There’s also a lovely ocean pool at Ulladulla, a five-minute drive further down the coast.
On the Sapphire Coast
One of the state’s most famous ocean pools is found at Bermagui, a little over five hours by car from Sydney, on the Sapphire Coast. Bermagui’s Blue Pool is revered as one of the prettiest, filled with azure-hued water fading to turquoise and green. At 50 metres long it makes for a great lap-swimming pool and there’s also a shallow wading pool, ideal for kids, just next to the pool.
One of the southernmost ocean pools on the NSW coastline is the Aslings Beach Rock Pool, a hidden gem carved into the pink-and-white cliffs at Aslings Beach in Eden, a six-hour drive from Sydney. It’s only a short walk from town, but its low profile makes it hard to spot from further down the beach. Make your way over the rocks from the beach and take a dip at low tide before the waves have a chance to deposit any seaweed.
Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
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Blue Pool, Bermagui Credit: Destination NSW
The picturesque Blue Pool situated along the Bermagui coastline.
Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.
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Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Eden Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden.