Welcome to The Pocket and the Northern Rivers—a lush corner of New South Wales where rainforest waterfalls tumble toward a necklace of golden beaches. This pocket-sized hinterland valley sits just inland from Byron Bay, giving you farm vistas at sunrise and ocean breezes by lunch. It’s the kind of place where you can hike among hoop pines in the morning and clink glasses at a beachside restaurant by dusk.

Byron Bay grew from a whaling station to a surf pilgrimage in the late 20th century, and today pairs protected marine reserves and walking trails with a creative food scene. The nearby towns of Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby, and Bangalow add riverfront pubs, weekly markets, artisan shops, and slow-country charm. You’ll cover lighthouse lookouts, dolphin-dotted bays, and the famed Minyon Falls in a tight, rewarding 4-day loop.

Practical notes: Fly into Ballina Byron Gateway (BNK) or Gold Coast (OOL) and rent a car for flexibility on winding hinterland roads. Sun is strong year-round—pack reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. Swim between the flags, heed surf and stinger warnings (bluebottles are seasonal), and check NSW National Parks alerts for track conditions after heavy rain.

Byron Bay (Base for The Pocket & Northern Rivers)

Set your base in Byron Bay for easy access to The Pocket’s green hills (25–30 minutes by car) and the region’s headline sights. Byron blends pristine beaches, a lively dining scene, and sunset rituals around the lighthouse that cap off a day perfectly.

• Top sights: Cape Byron Lighthouse walk, Wategos Beach, The Pass surf break, Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve, Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park, Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens.
• Dining highlights: Beach Byron Bay (coastal seafood), Raes Dining Room at Wategos (Mediterranean finesse), Light Years (modern Asian), No Bones (plant-based), La Casita in Brunswick Heads (market-driven Mexican), Milk & Honey in Mullumbimby (wood-fired pizzas).
• Coffee & breakfast standouts: Bayleaf Cafe (inventive brunch, great cold brew), Top Shop (old-school milk bar turned burger-and-smoothie favorite), Folk (veg-forward, bohemian patio), Bruns Bakery (heritage bakery classics).

Where to stay: Search waterfront hotels and apartment-style stays in Byron Bay via Hotels.com (Byron Bay) or browse hinterland houses and beach cottages on VRBO (Byron Bay). For a quieter river vibe, compare Hotels.com (Brunswick Heads) or a farm stay near The Pocket on VRBO (Brunswick Heads).

How to get there: Fly into Ballina Byron Gateway (BNK, ~35 minutes’ drive to Byron) or Gold Coast Airport (OOL, ~50–60 minutes’ drive). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. A car is strongly recommended for The Pocket, Minyon Falls, and Crystal Castle.

Day 1: Arrival, Cape Byron Lighthouse, and Wategos Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive at BNK or OOL, pick up your car, and check in. Shake off the travel with coffee at Bayleaf Cafe (try the spiced cauliflower or corn fritters) or Folk for a turmeric latte and seasonal salads. Then begin the classic Cape Byron Lighthouse coastal walk (allow 1.5–2 hours return if starting from town), passing The Pass and Wategos Beach en route to Australia’s most easterly point.

Evening: Watch surfers from Wategos and stay for sunset hues around the lighthouse. Dine at Beach Byron Bay (book the terrace; local prawns, whole fish, and a strong wine list). If you prefer a plant-forward feast, head to No Bones—their crispy “KFC” cauliflower and mushroom scallops make converts out of carnivores. Nightcap with gelato at In the Pink or a negroni at The Rails (live music most nights).

Day 2: Surf, Snorkel Julian Rocks, and Brunswick Heads

Morning: Fuel up at Top Shop (bacon-and-egg roll or a veggie brekkie burger) before a beginner-friendly surf lesson at The Pass or Clarkes Beach. Most reputable schools include boards and wetsuits; expect ~2 hours and ~$60–90 per person. Post-surf, rinse off and grab a flat white at Byron Bay General Store or acai bowls at Beloporto (casual, quick).

Afternoon: Head to the marina for a Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) snorkel, one of Australia’s best temperate-tropical crossover sites. Turtles, rays, and (in season) leopard sharks are common; allow ~3 hours dock-to-dock; ~$95–120 includes gear. If seas are choppy, switch to a sea-kayak with dolphins along Main Beach/Wategos (~2.5 hours; ~$70–85).

Evening: Drive 20 minutes north to Brunswick Heads. Start with sunset on the river footbridge, then dinner at La Casita (hand-pressed tortillas, wood-grilled octopus, seasonal margaritas). For a laid-back alternative, book a table under the fairy lights at Saint Maries for sourdough pizzas and natural wines. Finish with a moonlit stroll along Torakina Beach or a beer in the garden at Hotel Brunswick.

Day 3: The Pocket, Mullumbimby Town, and Crystal Castle

Morning: Make your way into the The Pocket valley—an emerald patchwork of macadamia groves and hobby farms about 25–30 minutes from Byron. Early risers on a Friday can slip to the Mullumbimby Farmers Market (7–11 a.m., local cheeses, honey, and live music). Otherwise, book the Kiva Spa bathhouse in Mullumbimby for cedar saunas, hot tubs, and garden plunge pools (typ. $35–45 for a session; reserve ahead).

Afternoon: Drive 15 minutes to Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens for bamboo avenues, enormous geodes, and valley views (plan 2–3 hours; adult tickets commonly around $40–50). Lunch nearby at Punch and Daisy in Mullumbimby (Middle Eastern-leaning brunch plates, good coffee) or order wood-fired margherita with buffalo mozzarella at Milk & Honey (open for lunch some days; check hours). Wander Mullum’s vintage shops and bookshops afterward.

Evening: Return via The Pocket’s back roads for golden-hour photos, then choose dinner in Mullumbimby or Byron. For a splurge, reserve Raes Dining Room at Wategos (seafood crudos, hand-rolled pastas, beachfront elegance). For something buzzier, Light Years delivers inventive share plates (crispy eggplant, kingfish with coconut and lime) and standout cocktails. Night owls can sample small-batch scoops at Brae & Boss Gelato or a nightcap at Supernatural wine bar.

Day 4: Minyon Falls Hike, Bangalow Lunch, and Departure

Morning: Grab takeaway coffees and pastries from Sunday Sustainable Bakery or Bruns Bakery, then drive 45–60 minutes inland to Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park. The lookout is a quick win, but if conditions allow, hike part or all of the Minyon Loop (7.5–9 km, 3–4 hours, moderate; sections can be slippery after rain). Bring water, insect repellent, and sturdy shoes; check NSW NPWS alerts before you go.

Afternoon: On your way back, pause in Bangalow for boutiques along Byron Street. Lunch at Woods Bangalow (garden courtyard, seasonal veg and excellent coffee) or book Ciao Mate! for Italian-leaning shared plates and natural wines. If time remains, stop at The Farm Byron Bay to meet the resident animals, browse the bakehouse, and walk the paddocks.

Evening: Return to your accommodation, pack up, and drive to BNK (~35 minutes) or OOL (~50–60 minutes) for your afternoon flight. If your schedule is flexible, savour a final swim at Clarkes Beach or a quick poke bowl from Finn Poke before wheels up.

Getting in and out: Search competitive fares to BNK and OOL on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For stays, compare rates on Hotels.com (Byron Bay) and handpick cottages or farm retreats on VRBO.

In four days you’ll trace the arc of the Northern Rivers—from The Pocket’s hidden valleys to Byron’s lighthouse and the rainforest rim of Minyon Falls. Expect postcard views, swims with turtles (on the right day), and plates that celebrate the region’s producers. It’s a compact, soul-filling itinerary you’ll wish you could stretch by another sunrise or two.