Ace Rental Cars Blog

‘You had to be there’ is the perfect phrase to capture Byron Bay. From the crystal clear waters to the eccentric locals, this town needs to be appreciated up-close and in full-colour. If you’ve only got 48 hours to spend here, don’t worry. We can capture the full Byron spectrum of hipster to hippie in a couple of carefully selected spots:

• Fresh Produce at The Farm
• Stroll the Shops at Main Beach
• Get Spiritual at Crystal Castle
• Dine at Raes on Wategos

Fresh Produce at The Farm

When you think Byron Bay, you think beach. But we think you should start your 48 hours a bit further inland. The Farm at Byron Bay is a real, working farm with a delicious twist. They have a beautiful on-site restaurant, a huge store full of fresh, local produce, and you’re free to roam their fields and pat their animals. Start your day there with a hot coffee, fresh air, and a bit of one-on-one time with a cow. It’s a quick drive 15 minutes out of the centre of town, and with plenty of parking space. Make sure to leave room in the back seat for farm-fresh goodies!

Stroll the Shops at Byron Beach

Now that you’re caffeinated, it’s time to hit the main strip. Start at Main Beach and, if the weather’s right, take a dip. The water here is so beautiful it feels less like a surf beach and more like a warm bath. Once you've dried off, grab a beachside smoothie and start strolling along the main strip, where you'll bump into sorts of interesting shops selling everything from ancient relics to cute clothes. You could easily spend hours exploring there. Embrace your inner hippie and book in for a tarot reading, or at least pick up some incense. Make sure to strike up a conversation with the shopkeepers—you never know what treasures they’ll bring out or which stories they’ll tell. When you’re all shopped out, end your first day with a bite to eat at any of the waterfront restaurants. Take your pick from Thai, Greek, Mexican and more.

Get Spiritual at Crystal Castle

Byron is known as a haven for the spiritual and alternative crowd, and there’s no better place to get a taste of that culture than Crystal Castle. Start your day in this kooky garden filled with crystal wonders, like the world’s largest amethyst crystal cave, a stone spiral set in the woods, and a giant buddha statue. If you’re feeling extra zen, you can join for one of their twice-daily sound healing sessions, held at 12pm and 3pm in the Peace Dome. Take your time to walk each of the garden’s paths, then visit the gift shop. It’s full of quirky treasures that make for great Byron-themed souvenirs. And while you’re there, why not get your aura imaging done? We know you’re curious. Crystal Castle is a 25 minute drive from the centre of town and has plenty of parking, so you won’t have to worry about losing your inner peace while battling for a spot.

Dine at Raes on Wategos

Drive North, past the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse, and you’ll come to Wategos Beach. Protected by the headland, it’s especially peaceful and a playground for the local bottlenose dolphins. This beach is home to Byron’s most famous and glamorous boutique hotel: Raes on Wategos. Raes is a mid-century gem with a Mediterranean feel, covered in bright pink bougainvillaea and dotted in Santorini blue. The hotel only has 7 suites, and they’re not cheap, but you can soak up the atmosphere without being a guest. Simply book a table at their dining room to enjoy a high-end, modern Australian meal with an unbroken view of the water. Our hot tip: pair your meal with the Raes Margarita. It’s made with quality tequila, mandarin and grapefruit, and finished with sea salt foam. End your second night with one of Rae’s famous desserts. We recommend the Iced Vovo, an elevated take on the classic Australian bickie.

An Ace rental car is the way to see everything on your list when you visit Byron. We have simple, affordable options to make sure you have the freedom to experience all this one-of-a-kind town has to offer.