|
Home
> Byron
Bay > Things to do
Things
to do:
Trip
to Nimbin:
The biggest attraction with Nimbin is getting out of your Nimbin! This
tiny town is an experiment gone wrong. In the seventies a bunch of hippies
decided to move to the town and live in the surrounding areas making
it a place of 'peace and harmony'. This worked for a few years but nowadays
Nimbin's main (and only) street is full of drug dealers selling all
types of grass, Nimbin's infamous hash cookies and magic mushrooms.
It is hard to walk ten yards without being approached. Most of these
dealers are harmless though.
From Byron
there are two main tour operators doing trips to Nimbin: Jim's
Alternative Tours (02 6685 7720) leaves Byron daily at 10am
from the bus stop on Johnson Street. The day trip costs $25. Mick's
Byron Bay to Bush Tours (02 6685 6889) leaves at 11am from the
same spot but for some reason costs $30. The way I saw it, $5 was definitely
worth another hour's kip so I went with Mick. Both tours take in spectacular
views, rainforests and waterfalls along the way.
Walk
to Cape Byron:
Starting on the walkway from Main Beach, this 3.5km walk goes by Captain
Cook lookout, up to the lighthouse (which incidentally has the most
powerful lightbulb in the southern hemisphere) and back to Byron on
a looping track, so there's no turning back. This is one of Australia's
most spectacular walks, passing through sandy beaches and rainforest.
Plus you get to say that you were at the most easterly point of the
country. There are also some great lookouts where dolphins and humpback
whales are seen regularly.
Skydiving:
Like all places on the east coast, Byron Bay is a popular destination
to throw yourself out of a plane. You can do this with Byron Bay
Skydiving (02 6684 1323), a well-run skydiving company. But
be warned if you plan on getting the video - it runs on forever. A 10,000ft
jump including a video will set you back between $375-$400.
Hang-gliding:
Hang-gliding over Cape Byron gives amazing views over the Bay and Tallow
Beach. Contact Skylimit (02 6684 3711). Prices start at
$55 for 15 minute flights.
Kayaking:
One of the best ways to get out into the sea with the many dolphins
around the bay is in a sea kayak. They are always prominent in the sea
when walking out to the Cape. Byron Bay Sea Kayaks (02 6685 5830)
include breakfast and afternoon tea in the price.
Flying
Trapeze:
Not one of the more frequent activities found in Australia, doing a
day-course in flying trapeze is a nice break from the norm. Flying
Trapeze (02 6685 8000) offer pick-up and return from your hostel.
A two hour session costs $33. Make sure and do some stretching before
you jump as you will feel the pain over the next day or two if you don't!
Surfing:
A trip to Byron Bay wouldn't complete without having a bash at surfing.
USA World Champion Rusty Miller (02 6684 7390) offers
one on one personalized classes.
Diving:
Julian Rocks off Cape Byron is one of the best known diving spots on
the east coast after the Great Barrier Reef. Byron Bay Surf School
(1800 707 274) is just one of many surf schools in Byron.
|
