Belongil Beach

The basics

Dog owners can take their off-leash furry friends to the section spanning from the Main Beach car park to Manfred Street. On the opposite end of the beach, up north near the Belongil Creek mouth, is favored by nudists—although, it should be noted, nude sunbathing is not officially legal, but tolerated.

On the southern end of the beach, just off shore, lies The Wreck, where SS Wollongbar sunk in 1922. The Wreck makes for a good snorkel exploration in calmer waters and creates an excellent surf break—beginners can book a surf lesson. If you just want to swim, stick to the beach's southern shores.

Things to know before you go

• Belongil Beach is ideal for a tranquil beach escape, away from the crowds.
• You can access the showers at Main Beach from the Southern end of Belongil Beach.
• The area directly in front of the First Sun Caravan Park is patrolled by lifeguards, but only in summer.
• The closest restrooms are located at Apex Park near the Surf Club.

How to get there

Belongil Beach begins at the top of Johnson Street in Byron Bay. It takes around 40 minutes to walk from the center of town or five minutes to drive. Paid parking is available at Main Beach car park, but check up on local regulations, as there is usually a four-hour parking limit. You can find free parking in smaller car parks located on Border Street, Don Street, and Childe Street.

When to get there

Belongil Beach doesn’t get the crowds that are typical of Main Beach, but the busiest times are weekends and public holidays. If you are looking for peace and quiet, aim to visit on a weekday or early morning at the weekend.

The Belongil Estuary

The Belongil Estuary is home to many species of birds including osprey, pied oystercatcher, sacred kingfisher, rainbow bee-eater, egrets, cormorants, and the endangered little tern. The estuary entrance is a pleasant 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) walk north of Byron Bay. To find out more, you can contact the local community group—“Byron Bird Buddies”.