Your Handy Byron Bay Hinterland Guide: What to See, Do & Discover

Behind Byron Bay’s beaches lies a whole other world: rolling green hills, waterfalls, hippie villages, and some of the best food and coffee in the region. This guide breaks down where to go and what’s worth your time in the Byron Bay hinterland, from swimming holes and lookout points to the small towns that give the area its super offbeat and creative pulse.

What Is the Byron Bay Hinterland?

If you’ve only ever thought of Byron Bay as beaches, surf and salty hair, there’s a whole other side of the region waiting inland. Take few steps further inland, and the Byron Bay Hinterland is where the scenery turns bright green and hilly, with subtropical rainforest, waterfalls, farmland and winding country roads ready to explore!

But it’s not just a jungle out there; the area is dotted with small towns including Bangalow, Mullumbimby, Newrybar, Federal and Clunes, each showing its own little slice of unique hinterland charm. You’ll find macadamia farms here and orchards, rainforest walks, swimming spots and plenty of beautiful countryside to explore.

Who knew there was so much to see just a short trip from the coast?

Byron Bay Hinterland Towns

One of the best things about the Byron Bay Hinterland? The ridiculously pretty little towns dotted between all that greenery. Here are some of the best of them.

Bangalow

Bangalow is one of the Byron Bay Hinterland’s best-known and prettiest little towns, known for its heritage buildings, leafy streets and independent shops. Spend a casual morning here, wander for an hour or two, and admire the character packed into its small centre. There are of course plenty of cafes to help you refuel.

Mullumbimby

Then there’s Mullumbimby, which sits among lush green hills and farmland, with the dramatic backdrop of Mount Chincogan. There’s a creative, community-focused feel here, plus a great mix of local shops, markets and places to eat.

Newrybar

Tiny but seriously charming, Newrybar is surrounded by lush countryside and macadamia farms. The village is best known for its beautiful old buildings, excellent food and a handful of special places worth making the trip for; Newrybar Merchants, a retail collective set inside a grand 1890s house where local artisans sell homewares and one-off designs, and Luther & Co, a lovely little antique store worth losing half an hour in.

Federal

Federal is a tiny hinterland village surrounded by rainforest and rolling hills. There’s not much here, which is rather the point! Come for the scenery, village atmosphere and a slow wander around its handful of local spots. Federal Doma Cafe is worth a stop for coffee, cake and breakfast.

Clunes

Clunes is a picture-perfect little village tucked among the green hills of the hinterland. Its heritage buildings and country setting give it plenty of old-world charm, while the surrounding countryside is beautiful to explore. Take a walk along Main Street to see the beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings, many of which were featured in the film The Dressmaker.

Things to Do in the Byron Bay Hinterland

Visiting the region’s towns is a great way to start uncovering the heart of the Byron Bay Hinterland. But there’s heaps more to do here than cafe hopping. Here are some of the best things you can do to get a deep understanding of the environment and its people!

Explore Nightcap National Park

For a proper taste of the Byron Bay Hinterland’s rainforest, head to Nightcap National Park. The park protects ancient subtropical rainforest that forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, with some of the forest’s plant lineages dating back millions of years!

As you wander, you’ll find the rainforest is home to towering strangler figs, giant brush box, flooded gums, bangalow palms and tree ferns, with thick vines and epiphytes filling the canopy. Look out for wildlife too, including pademelons, wallabies, goannas, possums and a huge variety of native birds. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a regent bowerbird or the bright flashes of a wompoo fruit-dove moving through the trees.

Minyon Falls is one of the park’s standout sights by the way, dropping around 100 metres from the escarpment into the rainforest below.

Go for a hike

Unsurprisingly, there’s some seriously beautiful bushwalking in the Byron Bay Hinterland, including proper rainforest hikes and shorter walks beside creeks and waterfalls.

Minyon Falls Walking Track is the one for a bigger adventure and probably one you should tick off whilst you’re here. The 13km return track winds through World Heritage-listed rainforest to the base of Minyon Falls itself. There are steep sections, plenty of steps and a spectacular waterfall at the very end. Allow around 3–4 hours and make sure you bring water!

For something shorter, Boggy Creek Walk follows the creek through blackbutt forest towards Minyon Falls. This one is around 2km one way and takes roughly 45 minutes; small waterfalls and swimming pools are found along the way.

Discover the local markets

The hinterland has some lovely markets, particularly if you’re after local produce and a bit of that Northern Rivers community feel! Bangalow Market is the big one (in Bungalow!). Held on the fourth Sunday of every month, it takes over the Bangalow Showground with more than 300 stalls selling everything from art and clothing to food, crafts and wonderful vintage finds.

Also in Bungalow, for something more produce-focused, there’s the Bangalow Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning at Piccabeen Park. Expect seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese, honey, nuts, flowers and other locally made goodies.

Further north, Mullumbimby Farmers Market is on every Friday morning at the showground. Head here for more than 50 stalls featuring all the usual suspects: local fruit and vegetables, organic produce, baked goods, honey, nuts, meat and seafood.

Visit some waterfalls

You can’t really explore the Byron Bay Hinterland without chasing a waterfall or two, it’s really a must-do while you’re here. There are some seriously beautiful swimming spots tucked into the rainforest, too.

Minyon Falls is the big one (as mentioned previously). The 100-metre waterfall drops into a deep, palm-fringed gorge in Nightcap National Park, with a natural pool at the base where swimming is allowed. Getting down there involves a decent walk, but you can also admire the falls from the lookout without doing the hike.

For something much more accessible, head to Killen Falls near Tintenbar. Here, a short rainforest walk leads down to the waterfall and swimming hole, with a little cave tucked behind the cascade. The pool is surrounded by dense Big Scrub rainforest, and you can often spot turtles and birdlife around the water. A dreamy one for sure!

Protesters Falls is another beautiful stop in Nightcap National Park, reached via a 1.4km rainforest walk through bangalow palms and towering rainforest trees. Just don’t pack your swimmers for this one, because swimming is prohibited to protect the endangered Fleay’s barred frog that lives in the creek.

Visit The Farm

If you want to see what the Byron hinterland’s food scene is all about, and get a taste for the community, The Farm Byron Bay is a great place to spend a few hours. Here outside of Byron, you’ll find an 80-acre working regenerative farm where you can wander through the paddocks and gardens, see heritage-breed pigs, Highland cattle and chickens, and learn about how the farm grows its produce. There’s also a self-guided farm walk or guided tours on selected days!

Of course, there’s plenty to eat while you’re there, too. The iconic Three Blue Ducks serves breakfast and lunch, and dinner on weekends, using as much produce from the farm and surrounding region as possible. Then, the Produce Store has fresh vegetables, organic eggs, baked goods, snacks and local products, while The Bread Social does sourdough, pastries and other baked treats. You’ll also find Baylato serving gelato, smoothies and açai bowls, plus Poppy & Fern, which sells flowers grown on the property. What more could you want from one spot?

For the families among us, there’s also a free daily animal feeding at 10am, and the farm regularly runs workshops and kids’ activities.

Enjoy the scenic lookouts

Of course, there are the obvious waterfall views at Minyon Falls, but some of the hinterland’s best scenery comes from the lookouts scattered across the hills. St Helena Lookout has wide views across the green countryside towards the coast, while Coorabell Ridge is all rolling hills, farmland and winding roads. Around Goonengerry, you’ll find views over the rainforest-covered valleys, with the landscape feeling much more wild and untouched.

For something less popular but equally great, Rocky Creek Dam combines water, forest and walking tracks, with plenty of spots to stop and take in the scenery.

Go horse riding

Want to see the hinterland from somewhere other than behind a car window? Get out the car and get onto a horse with Pegasus Park Equestrian Centre. Tucked into the hills near Bangalow, this place offers horse rides through the Byron countryside for beginners and experienced riders alike.

The Hinterland Koala Forest Ride is the one to book if you want to explore the countryside, taking you through regenerated eucalypt forest where wallabies, native birds and, with some luck, koalas can be spotted. There are 60-minute and 90-minute rides, plus private rides for those wanting a more personalised experience.

Pegasus Park also offers Seven Mile Beach rides at Lennox Head, as well as riding lessons, pony rides and a half-day hinterland experience that includes learning to groom and saddle your horse before heading out on a longer trail ride.

Where to Eat in the Byron Bay Hinterland

It must be said, that the hinterland food scene is worth making a detour for, with everything from produce-driven long lunches to Japanese-inspired plates and old-school country pubs.

Frida’s Field

This is the one for a proper farm-to-table experience. Frida’s Field builds its menu around what’s growing on the property, with seasonal produce coming straight from its market garden, orchard and paddocks. Expect a set-menu lunch that changes with the seasons, served on the farm among the rolling countryside.

Doma

Japanese food might not be the first thing you expect to find in a tiny hinterland village, but that’s what makes Doma so good! The menu is seasonal and Japanese-inspired, with beautifully presented dishes and a sake list to match. Book ahead!

The Hut

For a long lunch with a Mediterranean bent, The Hut is a standout choice. The menu changes regularly depending on what local farmers and fishermen have available. Sharing here is the way to go! Add the charming old schoolhouse setting and you’ve got a pretty special hinterland meal.

You Beauty

You Beauty brings a livelier energy to the food scene, with a menu built around local produce and plenty of shareable plates (great drinks is a given of course). The setting in Bangalow makes it an easy stop while exploring the town, particularly if you’re after somewhere that feels a little more polished but still not fussy!

Where to Stay: The Sebel Byron Bay

Still want to explore the Byron Bay Hinterland but want to wake up by the beach? The Sebel Byron Beach is a great base for doing both. Spend your days heading inland to Bangalow, Nightcap National Park, waterfalls and rainforest, then come back to Byron Bay and have the beach right outside your door.

The apartment-style accommodation is especially handy if you’re staying for a few nights, with one- and two-bedroom apartments featuring full kitchens, living areas and private balconies. There’s also an outdoor pool, heated spa and BBQ area, while Main Beach, Byron’s restaurants and shops are all within easy walking distance.

It gives you the best of both worlds: the Byron Bay beach lifestyle, with the hinterland just a short drive away.