January is an enchanting time to be in Byron Bay. With the craziness of the Christmas revelry over, the relaxed holiday vibes are really sinking in.
The start of the year also heralds new beginnings. Contemplate the year that was and set yourself resolutions that serve your body, mind and soul as you stride into January.
Whether you opt for carefree and ultra-chilled poolside lounging or an eclectic flurry of activities, there’s no shortage of things you can do in the Byron Bay new year.
From wellness classes and best new eats to a spot of retail therapy, here are our top picks for harnessing the beauty of Byron Bay in January.
Whatever your resolutions for this new year, doing something positive for the mind, body and soul is a pretty amazing place to start. Luckily, Byron Bay is teeming with wellness options.
Start the day with total positivity with Elements of Byron’s First Light Club. On the edge of Belongil Beach, against a natural soundtrack of waves and shore birds, our resident yogi leads an early morning yoga flow that releases body tension, focuses the mind and lightens the soul. Offered daily.
Conveniently located in the gorgeous Habitat precinct on nearby Bayshore Drive is Bende. Lending a whole new meaning to the concept of body sculpting, the studio offers barre, yoga, yin and Pilates mat and reformer classes. Be sure to ask about their high value week long visitor’s pass.
Also at Habitat is F45, a fitness phenomenon loved by many. The concept is for F45eers to complete a high intensity, sweat-inducing workout for 45 minutes. Each class is unique and blends cutting edge techniques and equipment.
Explore new avenues to heal and find new ways to engage your wellness journey this year at the Starlight Festival. Celebrating conscious living with workshops, practitioner stalls and healthy foods. Take a step back and soak in the wisdom of presenters or dive into meditation, yoga and healing sessions.
The Starlight Festival is held in early January in Bangalow’s A&I Hall.
At the very heart of every Australian summer resort style holiday is water. There’s something about a resort pool that brings out the kid in all of us and what is it about a swim in the ocean that lifts the soul? Luckily Elements of Byron has plenty of splashtastic fun just outside your villa.
The Central Lagoon Pool is an expanse of temperature controlled, clear blue water at the heart of the resort. Lounges, hanging beds and easy access to Breeze Cafe makes spending the entire day by the pool very tempting. For our couples, the Adults Exclusive Pool offers lounges, private cabanas and the swim up Summer Salt Bar.
Bordering the resort, Belongil Beach is a 2.5km stretch of pristine sands leading to ocean swims. On a beach walk you’ll spot The Wreck (it’s usually where the surfers are catching waves) and countless sea birds thanks to the Belongil Estuary.
Love eating and good food? Yep, so do we. Byron Bay is a food lover’s dream and the perfect destination for anyone whose New Year’s resolution is to try new foods.
One of Byron’s best menus can be found on resort at Azure Bar and Grill. Whether it’s an indulgent buffet breakfast enjoyed amongst the hum of the terrace or an intimate dinner in the elevated atmosphere of The Dining Room, the menu personifies the best of Byron Bay.
Executive Chef Ebony Baker pays homage to the natural perfection of each ingredient by balancing flavours and textures and sprinkling a little fine dining technique in the mix. Many ingredients are foraged on resort or Indigenous by origin, creating a sense of place you can taste.
If you’re a fan of southeast Asian cuisine, done with a Byron twist, head to Bang Bang downtown. For some seriously tasty plant-based options and heavenly homemade Italian favourites, check out No Bones .
Also in Byron Village, Karkalla is an Indigenous Australian restaurant that celebrates native food and pays homage to its essential role in our evolving culture. The passion project of Mindy Woods, proud Bundjalung woman of the Widjabul Wia-bul clan, Karkalla is warm, welcoming and delicious.
Don’t want to stray too far from the comfort of your villa? Barrio is yet another gem to discover at the aforementioned Habitat. This welcoming eatery has a menu overlaid with Mediterranean influences. You’ll find share plates full of Italian favourites served with a culinary passion and modern twist.
For a fuller Food Lovers’ Guide to Byron, check out our blog on Restaurants and Bars in Byron.
Byron Bay is many things, but never vanilla! Reflecting its leaning to the flamboyant, quirky and hip, it’s not surprising the town has an extraordinarily vibrant bar scene. Being on holiday and celebrating the beginning of a brand new year is the perfect excuse to do a cocktail tour of Byron Bay.
Begin with cool breezes off the Central Lagoon Pool, a cocktail shaker singing from the bar and the fire pit lulling everyone into a state of relaxation in the way only a campfire can. Azure Bar and Grill offers an inspired cocktail menu and award-winning wine menu served around the fire pit.
Many an afternoon has been lost at the Balcony, a firm favourite among locals and visitors. Known for its spacious and airy balcony, no visit to Byron is complete without sipping on a Moscow Mule, Manhattan or Margarita at this elegant establishment.
Spott Cocktail Bar in Bay Lane is a sexy bar of bold textures and bolder cocktails. On any given night music from across the world will create the soundtrack for unforgettable conversation, laughs and dancefloor moments. We love the Suspicious Minds or Mad Mary cocktail, and you simply must order the All-Night-Long.
There is incredible power in trying new things. It can test our curiosity, teach us new things about ourselves and create new hobbies and passions. Byron Bay is a destination of generous artisans, willing to share their craft through workshops and lessons. What do you want to try first?
Ride your first wave in one of the world’s most famous surf destinations under the expert tutelage of professional surf schools like Let’s Go Surfing or Soul Surf School.
Combine fine wines with fine art at the Art and Wine Co. Try your hand at ceramics, painting landscapes, animal portraits or jewellery making. Professional teachers enlighten you with art techniques and skills that will bring out the artist in everyone.
Or try your hand at creating personalised recycled paper featuring dyes or pressed flowers. Susan and the tutors at Born in Paper will help you make stunning paper creations and even hand bind them into a journal – a beautiful souvenir or hand-made journal for the year ahead.
Want more inspiration for things to do in Byron Bay? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Byron Bay.
