Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay, has lifeguard patrols in the summer holidays and occasionally good surf. You can camp just behind the beach at the Broken Head Holiday Park.
Where is Broken Head Beach?
Broken Head Beach near Byron Bay, New South Wales, is where locals come if they want somewhere a lot less crowded.
Broken Head Beach is 8.5km south of Byron Bay, inside the Broken Head Nature Reserve. It is essentially the southern end of Tallow Beach, past the Suffolk Park section where people are allowed to exercise dogs.
8 great things to do in Byron Bay
- Experience the region’s glorious natural landscapes from above – on a hot air balloon ride.
- Go kayaking with dolphins – and get much closer to them than on a boat tour 🐬.
- Learn to surf – on a half day surf lesson 🏄♀️.
- Discover the local secrets – let a guide show you the hidden beaches and waterfalls 🏖️.
- Go on a three habitat wildlife safari – spotting koalas, kangaroos and flying foxes 🐨🦘.
- See glowworms light up the World Heritage-listed rainforest.
- Explore the Byron Bay hinterland – including the rainforest walk to Minyon Falls.
- Taste craft beers and spirits – on a tour of Byron’s breweries and distilleries 🍻.
- Also try… Skydives | Sea-kayaking | Whale-watching.
Can you swim at Broken Head Beach?
It is possible to swim at Broken Head Beach, and there is slight protection provided by the headland. However, there are still rips along the beach, and swimming is at your own risk.
Broken Head Beach is patrolled daily by lifeguards, but only during the summer school holidays period.
This is better known as a surf beach, though, although conditions have to be right for the right-hand break to properly kick into action.
Broken Head Picnic Area
Close to the beach, the Broken Head Picnic Area offers toilets, showers, picnic tables and free barbecues in a rainforest setting.
What’s not free, however, is the parking. This costs $4 an hour.
Broken Head Beach accommodation
A major part of Broken Head Beach’s appeal is that you can camp right behind it.
The Broken Head Holiday Park is just behind the dunes. This Byron Bay caravan park offers both powered and unpowered sites, plus a selection of beachside cabins.
Facilities at the Broken Head Holiday Park include a kiosk and barbecue area. However, don’t go expecting pools and lavish children’s playgrounds like you get at some other Australian caravan parks. This is a fairly simple place.
Other beaches in Byron Bay worth checking out include Belongil Beach and Whites Beach.
Broken Head Beach and Nature Reserve: key visitor information
Parking fees are confirmed at $4 per vehicle per hour, payable by tap-and-pay at on-site machines or at the Byron Bay NPWS office. Annual park passes are also accepted.
| Question | Information |
|---|---|
| Is Broken Head Beach patrolled by lifeguards? | Yes, but only during the NSW summer school holidays. Swim between the flags during patrolled hours only, as the beach has rips. At all other times, swimming is unsupervised and at your own risk. |
| How much does it cost to visit Broken Head Beach? | Broken Head Nature Reserve is free to enter. However, paid parking applies at the Broken Head Picnic Area: $4 per vehicle per hour. Tap-and-pay card and phone payments are accepted at on-site machines. NSW National Parks annual passes can also be used. |
| Where is Broken Head Beach? | Access via Broken Head Reserve Road, approximately 6km south of Byron Bay. From Suffolk Park, take Broken Head Reserve Road off the main road and continue 3km to the beach. |
| What facilities are at the Broken Head Picnic Area? | Toilets (including accessible unisex facilities), outdoor cold shower, picnic tables, shelters, and free gas barbecues, in a rainforest setting. The picnic area is flat and step-free, with a concrete path running through it. |
| Is the Broken Head Picnic Area wheelchair accessible? | Yes. The picnic area is flat and step-free, with a concrete path through the picnic area and hard-packed ground paths leading to the beach. One accessible parking space is available. |
| Are there camping options at Broken Head Beach? | Yes, at the Broken Head Holiday Park, located just behind the dunes. It offers powered and unpowered campsites and beachside cabins. It is managed separately from the NSW National Parks system. |
| Are dogs allowed at Broken Head Beach? | Dogs are not permitted in Broken Head Nature Reserve. An off-lead dog exercise area is available on the adjacent Suffolk Park section of Tallow Beach. |
| How far is Broken Head Beach from Byron Bay? | Approximately 8.5km by road, around 10–15 minutes by car. |
| Is there public transport to Broken Head Beach? | There are no direct public transport connections to Broken Head Beach. A car, taxi or rideshare is required. |
Things to do near Broken Head Beach
Whites Beach – A short walk north through the reserve, this secluded cove is one of the most photogenic beaches in the Byron area, surrounded by rainforest cliffs. Best visited at low tide when the caves and rock pools are exposed.
Kings Beach – Also within Broken Head Nature Reserve, this informal beach is known for nude bathing and is accessible via a short walking track from the car park on Broken Head Reserve Road.
Tallow Beach – The long, wild beach that stretches 7km north from Broken Head to Byron Bay, offering a remote-feeling ocean walk and a dog-friendly section at Suffolk Park.
Cape Byron Lighthouse – Around 10 minutes’ drive north, the Cape Byron headland walk offers sweeping coastal views and the most easterly point of mainland Australia, with the lighthouse dating from 1901.
Suffolk Park – The nearest village to Broken Head Beach, around 2km north, with a small supermarket, café, pub and easy access to the southern section of Tallow Beach.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Cape Byron Lighthouse visitor guide: Including crucial parking information and the Cape Byron Walking Track.
- Crystal Castle near Byron Bay: Practical visitor guide.
- Why Ballina is more than just a gateway town for Byron Bay.
- Planning a visit to the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour.
- Bago Maze visitor guide: What to expect at Australia’s largest hedge maze.
