The locals have known it all along. But now the secret’s out – July is one of the best times to be in Byron Bay!
Pleasantly cool temperatures make winter in Byron delightful – and there’s a smorgasbord of activities, both indoors and out to suit everyone.
From a festival devoted to exploring the stars and heavenly bodies to uncovering collectables in the hot spot that is North Beach, there’s plenty to see, smell, hear and taste in the Shire.
Discover our top things to do in Byron Bay in July.
Throughout the winter months Azure Bar and Grill is hosting a series of intimate monthly winemaker dinners, each curated to showcase the distinct character and craftsmanship of renowned Australian and New Zealand wineries. The dinners highlight smaller, regional wineries celebrated for their excellence in winemaking.
Held on Thursday 25 July in Azure Bar and Grill’s elegant dining room, the July Winemaker Dinner features wines from Swinging Bridge, a multi award-winning, cold-climate winery from Orange, NSW.
The dinner will expertly pair hand-crafted Swinging Bridge wines with a tantalising four-course dinner created by Executive Chef Ebony Baker and her talented team. The carefully crafted menu is representative of the resort’s innovative food philosophy, and its dedication to marrying international flavours with native, local influences and ingredients foraged on the resort.
With an impressive pedigree and mastery of classical French and fine-dining techniques, Ebony employs careful, often complex techniques to create effortlessly balanced menus.
Azure Bar and Grill welcomes both wine enthusiasts and curious connoisseurs to this dinner. During the evening you’ll have the opportunity to engage with the winemakers and gain insights into their winemaking philosophies and hear the stories behind the labels.
Tickets are priced at $165 per person and include four courses with matched wines. Places are limited and bookings are essential.
Held at Elements of Byron on Saturday 6 July, Star Stuff is one of Australia’s pre-eminent celestial celebrations.
Founded by prominent YouTuber Dylan O’Donnell in 2017, Star Stuff offers a full day of enriching presentations from some of the world’s brightest minds in space and astronomy.
Day and night star gazing experiences are offered alongside workshops and presentations from world class astronomers and astrophysicists. Listen to Astrophysicist Kirsten Banks, hear stories from the comet discoverer, Terry Lovejoy, and more.
A highlight of the event is the Special Gala Dinner, where attendees can enjoy an evening of fine dining, entertainment, and an exclusive presentation.
Star Stuff offers the chance for attendees to engage in telescope astronomy sessions, weather permitting.
Start at Elements for the weekend and enjoy an exclusive accommodation rate of 15% off your booking. Just enter the code STARSTUFF24
Kind, shy and mischievous by nature, a colony of fairies call Elements of Byron home. You can find them on the Fairy Trail. Only those pure of heart, sharp of wit and keen of eye will be able to spot their tiny fairy houses.
Visit Reception to get your Fairy Trail Map. Together you’ll solve clues that will lead you through the gardens, over the bridges, around the ponds and along the edge of Belongil Beach. Hanging in the trees or snug against a trunk, you’ll find their brightly coloured tiny homes.
You’ll spot wildlife along the way and have time to play on the Parkour inspired playground. The Fairy Trail is a perfect school holiday activity. Suitable for all ages and pram friendly.
Nestled between the northern end of Belongil Beach and the Arts and Industrial Estate, North Beach and the Habitat precinct is a great location to explore truly eclectic collections of local art, purveyors of quality wellness and beauty products and chic homewares.
You’ll have the chance to speak with designers before trying on their fashion creations or create a space of Byron style at home by choosing locally-designed homewares.
Inside Shack Palace you’ll find crafted home decor and wellness tools in the form of tea, skin care, candles and crystals and unique artisan jewellery and outerwear. For looks of effortless luxury that take you from the beach to cocktails, visit Lottie Hall. Habitat Collective brings iconic Byron style clothing, elevated beachwear and locally designed homewares and furniture together in a concept store of 100% local independent brands.
With some of our favourite Byron eateries close at hand, it’s easy to fuel up on delicious bites with Vagabond’s guilt free vegan deliciousness in an intimate outdoor/indoor setting.
Take a step back in time and marvel at the technology of the future with a trip on the Byron Bay Solar Train. The lovingly restored 1949 train offers a sense of nostalgia, while 6.5 kilowatt solar power panels on its roof charge a big lithium battery for clean, green energy. The project was the culmination of eight years of hard work by a team of train historians and heritage engineers, environmental and clean energy experts. Today, the Byron Bay Solar Train offers a short 10 minute trip from ‘North Beach Station’, close-by Elements to the ‘Byron Beach’ platform, adjacent to the Shirley Street level crossing, around the corner from Main Beach.
Did you know gin is made from juniper berries, a super berry high in antioxidants? It’s a drink that helps you live longer, fight off coughs and has a series of other health benefits? A fascinating way to learn more about this spirited alcohol is through the Cape Byron Distillery.
The family-owned distillery is a special place, set in the heart of a macadamia farm surrounded by subtropical rainforest in Byron’s verdant hinterland. Book into a Cellar Door Tour to learn about the art of distillation, take a guided tour through the rainforest and uncover which native fruit and botanical flavours make up the award-winning Brookie’s Gin (think delights such as aniseed myrtle and native ginger). Don’t forget to book.
Want more inspiration for things to do in Byron Bay? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Byron Bay.
