Natural wonders

Days in Bruns – as the locals call it – revolve around the water. Join the kids and jump off the bridge into the Brunswick River that cuts through town, a holiday pastime that transcends the generations. Join the ecotourism accredited Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay for a guided paddle along the river’s crystal clear waters. If you’re an avid angler, you’ll fit right in, with beach and river fishing not just a pastime, but a passion among generations of residents and visitors.

Brunswick River Bridge, Brunswick Heads - Credit: Brunswick Heads Motel

Surfers come to this stretch of shore year-round for the long and consistent breaks along open beaches, with the waves at the entrance to the Brunswick River the stuff of legend. Blue Bay Divers will take you below the waves for diving and snorkelling expeditions around Cape Byron Marine Park. If you’d prefer to just kick back, book in for a cruise on the M.V. Jasmine, an adults’ only luxury vessel that makes scenic loops of the river for brunch, lunch, sunset drinks and private parties.

M.V Jasmine, Brunswick Heads

Between May and November, thousands of humpback whales migrate through the waters off Brunswick Heads. Paddle out to see them on a kayak or join a tour with Blue Bay Whale Watching for an up-close glimpse of humpbacks in the wild. You don’t have to be on the water to see these gentle giants breaching and blowing, with lookouts offering unbroken views of pods as they charge up and down the coast. Dolphins are spotted year-round and, if you’re lucky, you’ll see one swim up the river right through town.  

Blue Bay Whale Watching, Brunswick Heads - Credit: Blue Bay Whale Watching

Where the sea ends, the rainforest begins, with the Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve to the north of town. It’s home to a pocket of endangered littoral rainforest and threaded with walking trails. Keep an eye out for local birdlife. Tyagarah Nature Reserve is a seven-kilometre strip that runs south to Byron Bay, protecting coastal heath and unspoilt beaches. Around an hour inland you’ll find immense swathes of World Heritage-listed rainforest in Nightcap National Park.

Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, Brunswick Heads

Eat & drink

The Hotel Brunswick delivers everything you could want in a beachside bar: live music, a leafy beer garden, local brews and a menu packed with pub essentials like fish and chips, chicken parmigiana and burgers with every trimming. For something equally casual but a little more colourful, sip Mexican cocktails while munching tacos at cantina La Casita.

Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads

Grab breakfast or burgers at Old Maids, a busy hangout for Bruns locals. Saint Maries is the spot for woodfired pizzas, crafty cocktails and live music. At the award-winning River – Wild At Heart, you’ll see how food connects you to nature, community and creativity. The focus is on local, seasonal ingredients prepared with minimal intervention and a deep respect for the land, ocean and river.

River - Wild at heart, Brunswick Heads - Credit: River - Wild at heart

Head north to the tiny village of New Brighton and Salty Mangrove, a chilled beach shack that serves a legendary fish sandwich. If you’re there on a Tuesday, duck in to the New Brighton Farmers Market to pick up some local goodies. Further on, the Billinudgel Hotel has been serving thirsty travellers since 1898 and retains its country charms. Be sure to try one of the specialty beers that the Tweed’s Earth Beer Company brews just for the pub.

Earth Beer Company, Cudgen - Credit: Jayanta visual

Things to do

First opened in the 1950s, the Brunswick Picture House sat empty for 30 years before being lovingly restored and reopened in 2016. Today, it puts on films, live music, comedy and more. Grab a cocktail in the fairy light-strung garden before you go in. The whole town turns out for the Brunswick Heads Market, held on the first Saturday of the month and featuring artisans from all over the Northern Rivers. Hunt for more treasures at the annual Old and Gold Festival in June, celebrating all things vintage.

The Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads - Credit: Brunswick Picture House

Stylish stays

If you want to splash out, there are some seriously stylish houses available for rent around town. Built in the 1950s, the funky Bruns Surf Shack will make you nostalgic for childhood summer holidays. Seasalt is all modern luxury, with multiple indoor and outdoor living areas plus a sparkling pool. The Brunswick is an architecturally designed, adults’ only boutique hotel set in lush surrounds. The Sails Motel and The Chalet Motel are retro gems or book the family in to one of three waterfront holiday parks around town.

Seasalt, Brunswick heads - Credit: Contemporary Hotels Beach Houses & Villas

Getting there

On the far North Coast of the state, Brunswick Heads is just over eight hours’ drive north of Sydney or around 90 minutes south of Brisbane. Make a road trip of it and follow the Legendary Pacific Coast route, giving yourself four days to meander along the Pacific Highway exploring sea caves, meeting local wildlife, hiking lush rainforest and paddling through aquamarine waters. You can catch the train from Sydney to Casino and transfer via coach, with the whole journey taking around 14 hours. Or fly into Ballina Byron Gateway Airport or the Gold Coast Airport, both around 30 minutes away.