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.
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.
The Arts and Industry Estate is only five minutes walk from the resort, easily navigated by bike or car. The precinct can be reached easily from Byron’s township via the Byron Solar Train.
The Solar Train 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, three minutes from Elements) 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.
Since the arrival of surfers and hippies in the 1960’s, Byron Bay transformed from a working man’s town to a destination that celebrates a barefoot luxury lifestyle. It’s a melting pot of artistry and inspiration: a world-famous playground for international visitors, earth lovers, healers, the creative and wonderful alike.
Alongside this cultural shift, a unique arts and industry estate, emerged and evolved just north of Byron town.
In the past few years a rich cultural hub took shape, with the Arts and Industrial Estate, becoming a significant magnet for international, national and local creative talent to open new, innovative businesses.
Here you’ll find artists, filmmakers, beer brewers, designers, fashion houses and fine foods. The precinct keeps growing, diversifying and becoming ever more vibrant.
A great place to start is at the Habitat precinct, the closest venue to Elements of Byron.
Porter St Byron Bay
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.
There is so much to explore at Habitat [https://www.habitatbyronbay.com/] that we’ve broken down some of our favourite retail hot spots:
Fashion Feast
Men who seek cut, fabric and quality in their clothing will find it served alongside a series of drool-worthy boys’ toys and more at Mr Simple [https://mrsimple.com.au/pages/department-of-simple-things]. Ladies can take their beach day fashion to the next level with perfect sarongs, fluffy towels and bags from The Beach People [https://thebeachpeople.com.au/].
Home Heart
An icon of the Habitat precinct, Habitat Collective is an emporium of beautiful, 100% local fashion, homewares and furniture where you can pick up anything from a felt hat to a cool hanging chair. Add a little relaxed sophistication with homewares made from all natural materials from MCM . Pick up handmade Australian pottery from MUD Australia Or a stunning bouquet to brighten your day from Beautiflora.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite you’ll find relaxed dining and vegan deliciousness served on the courtyard under the poinciana tree at Vagabond.
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 some of our favourites.
6 Fern Place, Byron Bay
Thomgallery features contemporary collectible art and sculpture by select local, interstate and international artists and sculptors.
The gallery, owned by Alex Thom, hosts events and exhibitions throughout the year as well as consulting, selecting and placing spectacular pieces of artwork and sculpture into private homes and commercial spaces Australia-wide.
13 Bayshore Drive Byron Bay
A must-visit, TIGMI Trading offers timeless artisan-made rugs, textiles, objects, lighting and art from as far away as the Atlas Mountains in Morocco to the Black Sea.
Founder Danielle McEwan allows her collection to be curated by design and craftsmanship, only choosing objects that each tell a unique story.
Racks of clothes, accessories and shoes tell the story of Agni’s minimalistic style and ode to timeless elegance.
A local brand, St Agni is the creation of Lara and Matt Fells. Their signature style is not only renowned for its elegant minimalism, but also its perfection.
11 Banksia Dr Byron Bay
A short walk from St Agni you’ll find Byron’s Zulu and Zephyr , a lifestyle brand cultivating cool, beautiful and effortless swimwear and ready to wear designs for modern women.
91 Centennial Court Byron Bay
The craft of building the perfect surfboard has been practiced at McTavish since its namesake founder Bob started making his own in the early 1960’s.
Today, McTavish is a local legend and international surf brand producing custom boards and surfwear. If you’re in the market for a board the Arts and Industry Estate is also home to Onboard, Dead Kooks and Wild Things. Surf’s up!
When we holiday well, we return home renewed and re-energised. Byron is the wellbeing capital of Australia, and the Arts and Industry Estate has some of Byron’s best studios, with most of them having traveller one week memberships – definitely worth trying!
Habitat
Located in the Habitat precinct, just five minutes walk from Elements of Byron, Bende is a boutique Pilates, barre, yoga and flow studio, with full reformer facilities as well as regular group mat-based classes.
Habitat
Functional Group Training – HIIT & Circuit Style. Just across from Bende at Habitat, you’ll get your heart racing with high-intensity F45 training.
Unit 6B, 11 Banksia Drive Byron Bay
Elevate your practice at a school of yoga that is housed in a beautiful, light-filled inspiring space, just 10-minutes walk from the resort. Founded by Bess Prescott and Tahl Rinsky, Creature Yoga is home to diverse, luminous, wise and kind teachers, who ensure that no two classes are ever the same.
1a Banksia Drive Byron Bay
Social Remedy’s industrial gym space, just 15 minutes walk from the resort, has everything you need for a high or low intensity workout – professional trainers, high-tech equipment, and an extensive program of yoga and Pilates classes. Social Remedy also specialises in post-workout and stress recovery. With massages available, five ice baths, a steam room and a traditional Finnish hot sauna, there’s plenty of options to choose from.
1/1 Acacia Street Byron Bay
Against a backdrop of whitewashed walls and blue-checked tablecloths at Kouzina is an authentic Greek kitchen with a menu emboldened by seasonal meals, traditional flavours and organic coffee.
Take your tastebuds to the sunsets of Santorini with a Mezze menu that’s perfect for sharing and a sweets selection that tastes like it’s made with love.
100 Centennial Cct Byron Bay
Stone and Wood’s Byron Bay brewery is the beating heart and origin of this local company, savoured across Australia and beyond.
Visit for a tour of the brewery to hear the success story behind the beer and see how the beer is made. End the tour with a beer tasting that’s sure to leave you with a broad smile. Tours run at various times every day, so visit the website to book your place. You can also purchase products and merchandise at the Cellar Door.
1/399 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay
Local, ethical and delicious, Folk is an icon of Byron Bay’s food culture. Folk offers a casual coolness that makes it easy to relax and feel at home and swinging tunes as a soundtrack to your meal. It’s a local’s favourite!
And the food? Julian and Maggie Dylan pride themselves on good food. The food is defined by a commitment to vegetarian and plant-based food that nourishes the body and soul.
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The Arts and Industry Estate is 3 kms north of Byron’s township and only a short stroll from Elements of Byron. Once there, it’s best to park the car and walk around the streets as the roads are all entwined and a little hard to navigate, but then – you’re on holiday – and this is half the fun!
Enjoy your journey.
Want more inspiration for things to do in Byron Bay? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Byron Bay.
