Finding the time to spend with your girlfriends can be impossible, with too-busy schedules and multiple demands getting in the way.
But once diaries have been cleared and dates finally locked in, the only question left to haggle over is – where to go? Well, you know the answer is right here…in Byron Bay.
Whether it’s for a hens’ night, a girls spa weekend, or just a chance to spend quality time with good friends, a girls weekend in the spectacular Byron Bay (staying at none other than Elements of Byron) is the perfect way to go.
We’ll help you make the most of every moment with this ultimate girls weekend itinerary in Byron.
1) ‘Barefoot luxury’ at Elements
Feel the hubbub of the city melt away when you step into the luxurious serenity that is Elements of Byron. From fun to extreme relaxation, we can take care of every minute detail when it comes to girls’ getaways.
First Light Club Yoga
When: 7am – 8am, Mon – Sun
What to expect: wake up in the beauty of nature and watch the sunrise over the ocean as you stretch your body and mind. This therapeutic yoga class is held daily and is complimentary for guests at Elements.
Adults Exclusive Pool
Open: 7am-10pm
What to expect: our over-18s heated pool offers private cabanas and poolside loungers for Elements’ guests only. Stay fuelled and hydrated with signature cocktails and pool-lounge eats at our Summer Salt swim-up bar. Fun vibes in a beautifully designed space.
Osprey Spa
Open: Sat – Thursday 10am – 6pm, Fri 10am – 5pm
What to expect: satisfy your heart, mind and soul with our menu of revitalising treatments in beautiful tranquillity. For more, check out our health and wellness Byron guide.
2) Be a Foodie
If you thought Byron Bay’s restaurant scene was synonymous with healthy eating, diversity and world-class cuisine, you’d be spot on. There’s plenty of mouth-wateringly delicious dishes made from the freshest local produce to be sampled.
FOR BREAKFAST
Where: 1 Porter Street, Habitat, Arts and Industry Estate
What to expect: Ethically focused food that’s big on flavour and cooked with love. Think bacon and egg rolls and halloumi sandwiches. A great spot with modern industrial décor, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Just a short walk from Elements.
Where: 1 Porter Street, Habitat, Arts and Industry Estate
What to expect: Vegan and vegetarian plates that are artfully designed and deliciously balanced in flavour. Vagabond is also renowned for its unforgettable artisan coffee. Located in Habitat, it’s also an easy walk from Elements.
Where: 27 Brigantine Street, Arts and Industry Estate
What to expect: an energising start to the day with whey or plant-protein-based super delicious smoothies at this on-the-go health bar.
Where: 2A Marvell Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: rub shoulders with locals, tourists and everyone in between at this buzzy, feel-good café. One of Byron’s most popular spots on the brekkie scene.
FOR LUNCH
Where: 65 Carlyle Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: head to this laid-back converted weatherboard perched on a hill for creative burgers and top-class single-origin coffee.
Where: 26 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay
What to expect: a quintessential Byron eatery with a relaxed, breezy feel and an excellent healthy menu. It’s locally sourced and sustainable.
Where: 2 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads
What to expect: This is the place to sip cocktails and dine on pretty plates of Japanese cuisine overlooking Simpsons Creek. You’ll know you’ve had a successful long girls lunch if you’re still there for dinner and dancing – it is called Trouble San after all.
FOR DINNER
Where: Elements of Byron
What to expect: a diverse menu inspired by fresh, local produce in a comfortable and stylish environment. The perfect setting for girls getaways.
Where: 11 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: a plant-based restaurant with an inviting atmosphere and a winning menu that’s seducing vegetarians, vegans and omnivores alike.
Where: 3/17 Lawson Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: a little Turkish oasis that is just plain cool. Richly themed in both decoration and cuisine you’ll be sipping gin-based Turkish delight cocktails, sharing plates of mezze and people watching.
Where: 139 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: delicious Vietnamese food, southeastern flavours and one-of-a-kind cocktails with retro-style ‘Hanoi in the ’50s’ decor.
FOR COFFEE
Where: 399 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay
What to expect: grab yourself a patch of grass, or a crate to perch on while you enjoy some serious coffee at this cute little café just a short drive from Elements.
Where: 6/142 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay
What to expect: a local institution, The Roadhouse is a breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner venue that serves a coffee you’ll be talking about and Spanish eats.
Where: 1b Byron Street, Bangalow
What to expect: a charming slightly-bigger-than-a-hole-in-the-wall which serves on-the-fly handcrafted, fresh roasted speciality allpress coffee, along with fresh bakery treats.
FOR DRINKS
Where: 85-87 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: immerse in the vibrant, moreish flavours of the Mediterranean and Middle East in this stylish late night bar. The Moroccan style Souk upstairs is perfect for special celebrations and available for exclusive hire.
Where: 3 Lawson Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: sip on superb cocktails and treat yourself to a plate of oysters while you watch the world go by from the breezy upstairs balcony.
Where: 9 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: A little taste of Mexico with insatiable cocktails served with bar flare and a penchant for the experimental.
Where: 6 Lawson Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: Drink. Eat. Art. Dance. Sip cool cocktails and nibble bar eats on comfy lounges then dance the night away. This place is a party.
For more suggestions on where to eat, drink and celebrate with the girls, check out our guide to the best restaurants and bars in Byron Bay. https://elementsofbyron.com.au/best-restaurants-and-bars-byron-bay/ You’ll also find many of Byron’s gems serving imaginative vegan and vegetarian dishes to nourish the palate – and planet!
3) Go on a shopping safari
Shopping is a must do when it comes to girls’ getaways. Apart from making you feel good (yes, there is the science to prove it), browsing through Byron’s shops with all the girls is a special treat you’ll enjoy. Eclectic, varied and with world-leading labels in our midst, the town’s fashion scene has exploded in recent years.
Where: 248 Bayshore Drive, Arts and Industry Estate, Byron Bay
What to expect: a complex of small boutique fashion and homewares shops (as well as residential and office spaces), located in the area’s northern boundary.
Where: 6 Centennial Circuit, Arts and Industry Estate, Byron Bay
What to expect: a warehouse store filled with denims, leathers and vintage goodies.
Where: 57 Centennial Circuit, Arts and Industry Estate, Byron Bay
What to expect: handmade leather footwear and women’s clothes with a distinctive Mediterranean style.
Where: 1 Marvell Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: a feminine, eclectic range of clothing from another talented homegrown designer (there’s another store in Bangalow further afield).
Where: 15 Browning Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: carefree gypsy threads that have put Byron Bay on the fashion map. Quintessential boho chic, a style that’s relaxed, cool and comfortable.
Where: 11 Marvell Street, Byron Bay
What to expect: clothing and homewares that offer a sense of international adventure and unapologetic luxury. Island Luxe is a Byron style icon.
For more sartorial goodness, here’s a guide to shopping in Byron Bay and the vibrant Arts and Industry Estate.
4) Best Beaches
No matter what time of year, Byron Bay’s picture-perfect beaches are something to behold. So grab your sunnies, and your girlfriends, and get ready for a good stretch of relaxation.
Where: a beautiful walk along the beach easily accessible from the back of the Elements resort – and perfect for a picnic with the girls.
What to expect: a dog-friendly, pristine expanse of beach popular with locals.
Highlights: pop into the Treehouse, Belongil’s most happening café that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with live music in an intimate atmosphere.
Where: just over 6kms from Elements, between Clarkes Beach and Wategos.
What to expect: this scenic stretch of beach offers swimming and some of the most consistent surfing waves in the bay. Ideal for beginners and longboards.
Highlights: great views can be had from the top of the rocky outcrop known as Fisherman’s Lookout. Just follow the stairs up to watch surfers, dolphins, or whales if it’s the season.
Where: about 7.5 kms from Elements. Head east from the centre of Byron.
What to expect: one of the town’s most stunning beaches, popular with picnickers, sun worshippers, surfers and paddlers.
Highlights: breathtaking views and gorgeous bushland as you trek up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, one of the area’s landmarks. Afterwards, treat yourselves with a drink or meal at the equally iconic Rae’s restaurant.
Where: head south from Byron via Broken Head Rd, into the gravel-based Broken Head Reserve Road (about 13 kms from Elements).
What to expect: a back-to-nature secluded beach with often big swells and views of the headlands.
Highlights: the Three Sisters track, a short walk through coastal bush with breathtaking views of the ocean and the rock formation the track is named after.
If your idea of the ultimate in girls getaways is getting the collective adrenaline going, you can also explore Byron’s best surf beaches and breaks.
5) Other Must-Try Experiences
Byron is awash with colour and a dazzling variety of experiences. Which is why you can be getting a tension-melting massage one minute and downing a shot of (bespoke) gin seemingly the next.
Where: Zephyr Horses – a boutique riding school next to Elements of Byron
When: by appointment only
What to expect: experience Byron’s nature from atop a horse. Choose from either a spectacular forest and beach ride, or an amazing forest trail which meanders through tea tree swamp, forest and water in parts.
Times vary according to tidal movements so ask the resort’s receptionists about the next available time or call Elements on +61 2 6639 1500 to book.
Where: Building c2, 35/1 Porter Street, Arts and Industry Estate, Byron Bay
What to expect: a mindful movement studio to stretch the body and still the mind. Offers classes in yoga, barre, reformer and cardio, among others. There are plenty more adrenalin-fuelling working out options in Byron Bay to challenge your group.
Where: 17 Tasman Way, Arts and Industry Estate, Byron Bay
Book into one of the studio’s workshops or classes held throughout the month
What to expect: if you have a group of at least five women, this fantastic pottery studio offers a creative bonding experience like no other – customised bowl or cup making parties complete with music, bubbles and tasty treats.
Where: Cape Byron Distillery, 80 St Helena Rd, McLeods Shoot
What to expect: the distillery is tucked amongst rainforest and macadamia trees regenerated by the Brook family. On the gin tour, you’ll learn about the fascinating world of botanical alchemy with gin and native flowers.
Where: Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay
What to expect: drive or trek up to the renowned lighthouse on Australia’s most easterly point (carrying up a picnic counts as a double workout!). Relish the stunning views and learn about the rich history of the lighthouse.
Where: pick up and return transfers to Elements of Byron
When: times vary depending on tour chosen
What to expect: a joyous celebration of nature with a choice of adventure boat tours. The tours include whale watching (June to October / November) or ocean safaris (both in the marvellous Cape Byron Marine Park), or scenic cruises on the Richmond River around Ballina Island.
Seeking more ideas for girls’ getaways day trips from Byron? Explore some of the area’s most intoxicating waterfalls or some of the historic, character-filled towns scattered around the region.
Want more inspiration for things to do in Byron Bay? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Byron Bay.