The great outdoors

This small town, 15 minutes inland from Byron on the North Coast of NSW, enjoys an idyllic setting surrounded by farmland – all fruit and macadamia orchards, groves of Bangalow palms and rolling fields with wide-eyed cows. On the eastern edge of town, just off the main street, Piccabeen Park (formerly known as Bangalow Parklands) is a cool, green haven replete with towering pine trees enveloping a swimming weir. Dive in, wander through forest or spread out a picnic rug while kids burn off some energy in the playground.  

Piccabeen Park, Bangalow

Bangalow is wrapped in rainforest too, with hiking trails leading to waterfalls and lookouts offering glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. Take a dip in the natural pool at the base of Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park, just 30 minutes from town. Admire the 100-metre drop from the escarpment to the forest floor, then hike down through World Heritage-listed forest. If you would like to be guided through the park, join a tour with Kiff & Culture – it also includes a luxe bathhouse session, village visits and lunch.

Minyon Falls lookout, Nightcap National Park

Eat & drink

Incredible local produce and passionate chefs make Bangalow decidedly delicious. Start the morning at Butcher Baker Bangalow, where every loaf of bread and flaky pastry is made daily on-site. The oh-so-cool Woods cafe (sister to Byron’s hipster hangout Folk) is filled with recycled timber and pot plants, its tasty plates almost too pretty to eat. You Beauty, by pioneering no-waste chef Matt Stone, promises a classic European bistro with a farm-to-table ethos. It’s just around the corner from his woodfired pizza and pasta bar, Ciao Mate! 

You Beauty, Bangalow - Credit: You Beauty

Embrace the slow food movement at Frida’s Field, where multi-award-winning chef Alastair Waddell curates the menu for dreamy long lunches using produce from their 120-acre regenerative farm. You could spend a whole weekend eating your way through the tiny hinterland villages around Bangalow. Head to The Little General in Newrybar for great coffee and local goodies. In Federal, more coffee awaits at Moonshine or dine on Japan-meets-Northern-Rivers cuisine at local legend Doma.

Frida's Field, Byron Bay - Credit: Frida's Field

If you’re serious about coffee, visit Zentveld's Coffee Farm and Roastery to learn about the whole process from crop to cup. Summerland Farm is a working avocado and macadamia farm in nearby Altsonville, the perfect place to sample the earth’s bounty. For an insight into native foods that have grown here for thousands of years, join Explore Byron Bay and Bundjalung woman Delta Kay on a bush tucker tour along the Byron Creek in Piccabeen Park. Once grazing land, it has been regenerated and now grows hundreds of native species used for food, medicine, weaving and tools.

Explore Byron Bay, Bangalow

Thirsty? Common People is a craft brewery operated by a crew of Northern Rivers locals, serving tasty beers and woodfired pizzas in their leafy, family-friendly taproom. Nearby, Cape Byron Distillery is the home of Brookie’s gin, made using botanicals native to the Northern Rivers. Jilly Wine Co is in Clunes, between Bangalow and Lismore, and produces natural wines with no fining and zero additives. You’ll find them regularly at local farmers markets or visit the cellar door.

Common People Brewing Co, Bangalow - Credit: Common People Brewing Co

Shopping & markets

More food awaits at the Bangalow Farmers Market, with around 40 stalls popping up in Piccabeen Park every Saturday morning. Bangalow Market transforms the town’s tree-lined showgrounds on the fourth Sunday of every month with an epic gathering of bakers, makers, viticulturists, farmers and friends, with piles of seasonal produce to peruse, as well as arts, crafts and fashion. The Newrybar Twilight Market every Wednesday is a great spot to eat while meeting some of the farmers and growers.

Bangalow Market, Bangalow - Credit: Bangalow Market

In between eateries, Bangalow’s charming main street is dotted with independent boutiques. Visit Island Luxe for covetable homewares and furniture with a Nordic twist; Rowie for chic local linen clothing; and Wax Jumbu Emporium for everything from clothing and jewellery to crockery crafted by local artisans. Our Corner Store is an effortlessly cool take on its classic namesake edifice, stocked with simple and beautiful pieces for around the home and garden.

Streetscape, Bangalow

Festivals & events

The only time the sounds of the rainforest are drowned out is during one of its busy festivals. The new Dingo Festival brings four days of jazz, dance, DJs, art and food in October. At other times of the year, catch a local musician (or one of the area’s rock-star residents) at the Bangalow Bowling Club or Bangalow Hotel. September’s Sample Food Festival, a culinary extravaganza uniting food stalls from restaurants and producers with pop-up bars, masterclasses, cook-offs and celebrity chef appearances. Kids will love the Bangalow Billycart Derby in May – it’s good old fashioned fun.

Sample Food Festival, Bangalow - Credit: Sample Food Festival

Where to stay

Accommodation ranges from grand estates with views over the hinterland to chic villas, cosy cottages, peaceful retreats and historic guesthouses. Sun Ranch is a 1970s California-inspired lodge with adults’ only pool suite, family-friendly barns and a host of cool spaces, like the pool, wellness area, Cowboy Bar and badminton club. There are horses too, roaming the paddocks or available for a ride. Don’t forget your cowboy hat.

Perched atop a sprawling macadamia plantation, the elegant Hinterland House offers stunning views across the mountains, and comes fitted out with a pool, fire pit and large wrap-around porches. For rustic country charm, head to Forget Me Not Farm Cottages for a home-away-from-home stay in repurposed 19th-century workers' cottages.

Sun Ranch, Cooper's Shoot

Getting there

Bangalow is just under eight hours’ drive north of Sydney or a two-hour drive south of Brisbane. If you prefer someone else to navigate, catch the train to the nearby town of Casino, and connect via bus. The whole trip takes around 14 hours. Alternatively, fly into Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, 20 minutes away, which has regular direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne.