Back in the day, “heading north” usually meant taking a trip to nearby Queensland.
Today, it’s taken on a whole new meaning as the area just north of Byron Bay’s town centre has blossomed into a bustling destination. With a rapidly growing shopping precinct and kaleidoscopic range of places to eat, shop and play, North Beach is a priority attraction in its own right.
Close enough to town, but with a cultural pulse of its own, we invite you to discover all that North Beach has to offer.
We’ve pulled together some tips to get you started:
1) Habitat
The word ‘habitat’ harks back to the Latin word habitare meaning ‘to live or dwell’. It’s a place where you feel at home and want to keep returning to, which is why we feel it’s an apt name for the area’s chic shopping and design precinct.
Catch up with friends over a supercharged smoothie, book in for a fitness class, check out some of Byron leading design labels, or pamper yourself with a beauty treatment…you can do it all here.
Immerse yourself in the multitude of cutting-edge businesses and retailers at Habitat then head up to North Beach for a dip – just seven minutes up the road, through the old golf course.
Get your goatee trimmed at the Byron Bay Barber Co, provoke a serious case of denim envy with some new threads from One Teaspoon.
Conceived as an environmentally-friendly, mixed-use neighbourhood with a relaxed, creative village vibe, Habitat also includes commercial premises and co-working spaces as well as residential townhouses and apartments.
2) Byron Bay Train
If you haven’t visited Byron for a few years, there’s another irresistible experience to put on your list – a ride on the Byron Bay Solar train.
The project, spearheaded by Elements of Byron and Byron Bay Railroad Company Development Director, Jeremy Holmes, has the acclaim of being the world’s first solar-powered conventional train. Specifically, it uses 6.5 kilowatts of solar power panels on its roof that charge a big lithium battery.
Shuttling between North Beach (the station is in the middle section of Bayshore Drive) to Byron Beach platform (just around the corner from Main Beach), the three-kilometre, ten-minute journey offers a relaxing, memorable and affordable way to get into town.
Whether you’re a train buff or not, you’re sure to enjoy the adventure.
What’s there not to like about chugging along in a volunteer-restored two-carriage heritage train? The original train was built after the Second World War in 1949 using aluminium aircraft technology to be high performance, yet lightweight.
3) The Arts and Industry Estate
Just a short walk from Elements of Byron is the booming Arts and Industry Estate, a place that has grown so fast with designer and artisanal makers and providores as well as beauty, health and wellbeing practitioners that it requires multiple visits, just to take everything in.
The area is a vibrant hub for all that Byron is best known for – creativity, feel-good vibes and a decidedly idiosyncratic touch.
Grab your walking shoes and meander through the Estate’s eclectic mix of stores. Artist studios, wellness spots and boutique stores showcasing ethical threads and uber chic homewares are all part of the mix in this fabulous zone. For a little energy boost, drop into one of the estate’s many fantastic cafes for a well-deserved chai latte and slice of raw food cake.
4) North Byron Hotel
Light-filled and spacious, North Byron Hotel is a firm favourite in this part of town for locals, visitors and families alike. It has a lush, green and spacious landscaped garden for dining in, complete with enclosed play area.
Savour some hearty pub fare with a fusion twist while enjoying the natural bush setting. We recommend the lemon myrtle spiced squid and the sweet potato chips. There’s a great selection of vegetarian options, too.
The bistro is open daily for lunch and dinner. If you’re feeling plucky and in need to release some creative juices, head down for the regular open mic.
Want more inspiration for things to do in Byron Bay? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Byron Bay.