Plan an accessible holiday in Byron Bay

Accessible restaurants  

Many of Byron’s top restaurants are wheelchair- and disability-friendly and welcome people with access needs. Pixie Food & Wine promises a 1970s Milan-meets Byron Bay dining experience; think delicious antipasti, seafood, pasta and colourful cocktails. For Asian, try the buzzy Light Years or dark and moody Moonlight, which has a Japanese hibachi grill. The Smoking Camel offers modern Middle Eastern with colourful cocktails under neon lights.

Enjoy a laid-back breakfast, lunch or high tea in the beautiful surrounds of Summerland Farm. This working macadamia and avocado farm in the Ballina hinterland has an award-winning restaurant that serves produce fresh from the farm and the surrounding area. There’s even an adventure playground and farm animals to keep the kids entertained. Summerland Farm is a business of Aruma, Australia’s largest disability service provider, so also provides employment for people with disabilities. 

Frida’s Field is another rural retreat, set on a 120-acre regenerative farm around 20 minutes from Byron Bay. They serve communal-style long lunches every Friday to Sunday using produce from their own fields or drop in for Saturday evening snacks and sundowners over summer. There’s a dedicated disabled carpark right by the entrance, wheelchair access throughout and an accessible bathroom. 

Accessible bars, breweries & pubs 

Have a drink at the legendary Beach Hotel, a favourite with everyone from backpackers to local celebrities. The main entrance on Beach Street is wheelchair-accessible (if the gate is closed, just ask one of the security guards to open it). Visit the home of the famous Brookie’s gin – Cape Byron Distillery. Set on the family’s macadamia farm amid lush green rainforest, the cellar door is wheelchair accessible. Book in for a tasting or just enjoy a few cocktails overlooking the gorgeous view. 

Stone & Wood is Byron’s original craft beer brand and the leafy-yet-industrial tasting room in the trendy Arts & Industry Estate is wheelchair accessible (plus there’s an accessible bathroom). Sip on a tasting paddle of the latest brews, enjoy a schooner of the legendary Pacific Ale and refuel with a cheese plate or pulled pork burger from Byron locals 100 Mile Table. 

If you like live music, The Green Room (the home of Bluesfest) is a 15-minute drive north of Byron and hosts regular gigs from famous musos or up-and-coming locals. There’s direct wheelchair access from the carpark and the food/bar area and toilets are accessible. 

Accessible attractions 

Experience the glorious beaches of the Byron shire on one of the free Sandcruiser beach wheelchairs, available at Main Beach and Brunswick Heads. The large, wide tyres make for easy steering over the sand and can take you right into the waves. Speak to the lifeguards on duty or call the surf club ahead of time to book. 

Hop aboard the world’s first solar-powered train, travelling along a pretty 3km stretch of track between North Beach and Main Beach. The historic carriages have been carefully restored and are power by solar panels (both on the roof and at the stations) for the 10-minute journey. Travellers with access needs are welcomed and staff are always on hand to assist with boarding and deploying ramps. Train doors are wide enough to fit most non-motorised wheelchairs, but call ahead if you want to confirm. There is also an accessible toilet at the North Beach station. 

The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is an interactive eco-sanctuary that focuses on regeneration, rehabilitation and education. The whole park is wheelchair accessible so everyone can meet the more than 100 Australian animals who live there, from wombats and kangaroos to koalas, snakes, birds and reptiles. There are also farm animals to pat, feeding opportunities and keeper talks, plus a waterpark and playground for the kids. 

Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens is a magical sanctuary in the Byron hinterland, home to some of the world’s largest crystals, an ancient amethyst cave and lush rainforest. Most of the complex is wheelchair accessible (excluding a few areas within the gardens) – check this map before you go.  

For complete rainforest immersion, the Victoria Park Nature Reserve has a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that runs right beside the enormous trees and finishes at a quiet picnic/barbecue area. Lennox Head Boardwalk is another beautiful, accessible path that follows the headland along a spectacular stretch of coastline. To look for platypus in the wild, join Vision Walks Eco Tours for a guided walk. The sealed, flat path is around 2km return and suitable for wheelchairs, though you will need to get yourself to the start of the trail.

Accessible accommodation 

Carinya is a luxurious boutique property in the Byron hinterland. One of its six villas is fully wheelchair accessible, with no steps, smooth timber floors, wide walkways and doors, low set kitchen, and accessible bathroom with roll-in shower, hand rails, handheld shower head and a mounted seat. You’ll also have a private disabled parking space just outside the front door. 

The stylish new Hotel Marvell is the first five-star hotel in the centre of Byron. It has a handful of accessible rooms and the whole property is wheelchair accessible. For the classic resort experience, Elements of Byron has a number of accessible villas and studios, and the main lobby area, restaurants and lagoon pool all have wheelchair access. 

The luxurious Beach Suites has one accessible Garden Suite. There is additional room to accommodate a wheelchair, rails in the bathroom and a seat in the shower. It also has the same stylish facilities as the rest of the suites, like a kitchenette and spa bath. The property is pet-friendly too, so you can bring your four-legged friends. 

If you’re on a budget, Reflections Holiday Parks Byron Bay has custom-built cabins that cater to guests with access needs. The two-bedroom cabins offer ample space for wheelchair manoeuvrability around all furniture, lowered kitchen benches and a wheelchair-accessible shower with handrails.