Holiday houses in Broken Head

Between its world-class surfing, verdant headland, secret coves, and toothy mountain cliffs, this little slice of paradise off Byron Bay is brimming with natural beauty. It’s the jagged mountaintops of this wild landscape that gave Broken Head its name. A popular spot for surfers to stop on a road trip down the Great Ocean Road, the town offers some of the most beautifully rugged scenery, and ideal wave-riding conditions, that New South Wales has to offer.

Trekking inland leads you through subtropical rainforests, while off-trail adventures are rewarded with secluded, untouched beaches where white-capped waves thrash against the limestone cliffs. The sunset view from atop Three Sisters Lookout is legendary, with the ocean glittering and locals hauling in their catches of the day below. And if you’re lucky, you’ll even spot migrating humpback whales. Here, nature reigns in all her glory.

The summer is the most popular time of year to visit Byron Bay and Broken Head, as the weather is all but guaranteed to be hot and sunny, making for optimal swimming and surfing conditions. February is the windiest month here, and sees rougher, larger waves — which could be a pro or a con depending on your surfing ability. To enjoy the beaches at a quieter time, consider visiting in autumn when the weather will still be warm and the chance of rain is slim. Come in spring for a chance of spotting humpback whales during their migration north. Winter is the chilliest and wettest season, although it’s still relatively mild.

Three Sisters Lookout

Aboriginal legend tells that three sisters were turned to rock — the origin of the headland mountains we see here today. Wander the 1.6 kilometre trail through thick rainforest and you’ll come to a clearing overlooking the glistening waters of King’s Beach, dotted with rocky inlets and golden sand beaches. In spring and winter, you can often spot migrating humpback whales in the water below and sea eagles in the skies above.

Broken Head Beach

The waters of Broken Head Beach are renowned for surfing, and this is a popular spot for sun worshippers to catch a wave, lounge around, or picnic on the beach. Nearby, the secluded, wild inlets and coves along the trails in Broken Head National Park boast imposing limestone cliffs, roaring waves, and unpredictable waters. These make for thrilling conditions for seasoned surfers, but this is not a spot for beginners.

Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve

Ranked one of the top scuba diving sites in Australia, Julian Rocks Nguthungulli Nature Reserve boasts some incredible aquatic life. Comprising over 4,000 hectares of protected nature reserve, this is sacred land for the Arakwal people and home to grey nurse sharks, wobbegong, loggerhead turtles, dolphins, rays, and more than 500 species of fish. It’s also a pit stop for humpback whales on their migration path.