Byron has a summer lifestyle that is the envy of the world, however winter in Byron has its own charm and rewards. With the town quieter than its busier summer period, it’s the perfect time to explore the region, with a plethora of options to help shake off the winter blues.

Whether it’s indulging in foodie experiences, enjoying countless festivals, or marvelling over the magnificent creatures of the ocean, there are plenty of things happening this winter to warm the soul. Here is the hit list for June:

North Coast Festival Of Flavour – 3-5 June

Gather your tribe and indulge in a seriously tempting series of events and experiences as part of the North Coast Festival Of Flavour this weekend. There are some unqiue experiences happening across the Byron region so check out the interactive map and book tickets here.

Coffee Tastings and Farm Tour

Zentvelds in the picturesque Newrybar are opening their farm to offer a real local coffee experience from crop to cup. Guided tours will run on the hour (8am, 9am, 10am, 11am) where Bec and the team will explain the coffee process, what makes them unique and explore the farm which is not something generally open to the public. Taste the coffee grown right in front of you, overlooking the rolling hills of coffee trees, the rainforest creek line and macadamia hills beyond. A perfect way to start the morning before you venture on to the next destination. Saturday 4th of June – 8:00am – 11:00am

Lord Byron Distillery

Lord Byron Distillery has teamed up local chef John Verano, who will be putting on a pop-up food stall at the distillery on Saturday the 4th of June. With Johns’ amazing food and their delicious spirits, it’ll be a great afternoon of tours, food and cocktails. Opening hours are 10 am-6 pm on the day, with food available from 12 pm. Tours will be running on the hour every hour from 11 am-5 pm. Enjoy $15 Pina Coladas and $15 Mojitos all day, tours are free with any drink purchase. Make sure to keep them on your hit list for the weekend, not to be missed. Saturday 4th of June – 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Bites & Brews – Wandana Brewing Co

Who ever said wine was the only thing you can pair with good food?! Explore the wonderful world of matching craft beer with artisan food at Wandana Brewing Co . Taste favourites from their core range and a selection of limited release seasonal brews, coupled with locally produced foods that complement the flavours and style of each brew. Saturday 4th of June – 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Cape Byron Distillery

Brookies is collaborating with Poppy & fern to combine a love of botanicals and regeneration with the art of arranging a beautiful bouquet. Venture into the rainforest for an up close and personal tour and learn harvesting tips and tricks while sipping on a seasonally crafted cocktail from the cellar door mixologists. Finish the session with a grazing platter prepared by Harvest Deli. Sunday 5th of June – 3:00pm – 5:30pm

Festival of the Stone – 4th of June

Held at Stone & Wood’s Byron Brewery, this year’s event promises to be the biggest yet, celebrating live music, food, fresh beers and the chance for the community to come together and welcome in the winter season.

Melbourne rockers, Delta Riggs, are set to headline when it returns on Saturday, 4 June with all profits going to Byron charity, Fletcher St Cottage.
Completing the incredible music line-up across two stages are: Death by Denim, Drop legs, South summit, Club Raiders DJS, Cashew, Spacie, Yasmin and the Stone & Wood DJs. Saturday 4th of June – 3:00pm – 10:00pm

Byron Bay Comedy Festival 9 – 12 June

A good laugh reshapes the way we see the world and lightens everything up. Happening on the foreshore of the Main Beach as the A-List of Australian and International comics grace the town over 4 days. You don’t have to be “into” stand up comedy to enjoy everything that Byron Comedy Festival has to offer. The festival offers up a gorgeous boutique style experience, locally sourced food and delicious cocktails served in a vintage Scandanavian styled space with the waves of main beach lapping just metres away. And as if you could want for more, the festival purchases carbon off sets so that it is carbon neutral.

Old & Gold Festival 11 June

Go on a treasure hunting adventure to find all things vintage, retro, 2nd hand & recycled as at the award winning OLD & GOLD FESTIVAL at Brunswick Heads, back on after a two year hiatus. With three main sites and over 100 garage sales happening around bruns on the day, it will be a value hunting bonanza. The Catholic Church hosts Ye Olde Church Fair (cnr Tweed & Mullumbimbi Sts), Brunswick Heads Public School puts on it’s Treasure Trove on the school grounds (cnr Fingal and Park Sts) or head to the Memorial Hall (Fingal St) for the ever-popular Vintage & Collectables Fair. Live Music with Hubcap Stan, Shedding displays, Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Snake Demo, Lucky Penny and Raffle.

Whale Watching

Between June and November, Byron Bay is one of Australia’s best destinations to watch these majestic mammals on their annual migration from their cold Antarctic summer feeding grounds to their warmer, sub-tropical breeding and birthing grounds off Australia’s coasts.

Humpback Whales are believed to use landmark to help with navigation on their migration, so they tend to hug the coast making local waters and Cape Byron, Australia’s most easterly point, centre-stage for the whales. Mothers choose calm, sheltered and protected waters like Byron Bay to nurse, teach, rest, and play with their young in preparation for their long swim back to the Antarctic.

Not that you need incentive to visit, but it’s all the more reason to book a Whale Watching Byron Bay to Ballina Cruise with Out of the Blue Adventures, who provide front-row seats aboard an eco-vessel with 360º viewing of the sheer beauty of our favourite finned-friends.

Join their friendly Marine Biologists while they share in-depth knowledge of the area & jaw-dropping encounters within Byron’s Marine Park. Book here.