BEST THINGS TO DO IN BYRON BAY WITH KIDS

INSIDE: The Best Things to Do in Byron Bay with Kids and families. Updated 2024.

Byron Bay, Australia’s most easterly point, the land of Gods.

It’s a beautiful part of the world, filled with magical beaches, bespoke shopping, the home of Spell Designs clothing, fabulous fashion, gorgeous glowing humans, divine gelato, the Beach Hotel, and the magnificent Byron Lighthouse.

Add Byron Bay cookies, and all the exceptional opportunities to eat vegan and vegetarian meals, and seriously delicious acai bowls, slices of Pizza Loca, and farmers markets galore, you know you’re in a good place.

Take a look below for details.

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Table of Contents

BEST THINGS TO DO IN BYRON BAY WITH KIDS

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in AUD, unless otherwise stated

Byron Bay is NOT that kid-friendly to be honest but if you are travelling with kids, here’s a few hot spots you must visit.

RELATED: Best Australian Souvenirs you must buy for family and friends (UNIQUE!)

No.1: Circus Arts

This is the most popular place for locals with kids in town.

It’s a top spot for children’s parties on weekends but they have drop-in workshops and an indoor play space that you can pay to use too.

No.2: The Farm

No.3: Ride the Byron Bay Solar Train

This is an epic adventure in town.

No.4: Byron Bay Skateboard School

Take the kids for a couple of lessons!

No.5: Summerland Farm Alstonville

If you are visiting Byron Bay with kids, put THIS PLACE on your list.

Head to Summerland Farm in Alstonville – it’s a working macadamia and avocado farm just 3 minutes drive from the picturesque Byron hinterland town of Alstonville.

There’s LOTS of activities and attractions for kids and families to do here, but the best bit is that you can enjoy the peace and quiet with a picnic on the grass while the kids play with a bunch of newly made friends.

THIS is a great family day out in Byron Bay, with a coffee shop on site so you won’t have to leave in a hurry!

Summerland House Farm is just off the Bruxner Highway as you head from Ballina towards Lismore.

You’ll take the Alstonville turn off, right onto Ballina Road, then drive into Alstonville town and follow the signs.

It’s well sign posted.

As you turn left onto Wardell Road, look out for Crawford House Museum.

(There’s a little playground there too.)

Summerland Farm was formerly known as Summerland House with No Steps.

Did you know this working farm is the place of employment for over 100 employees with varying disabilities?

It is!

These team members do everything from picking fruit, working in the cafe or restaurant, manning the tills, greeting guests, helping to take care of the beautifully manicured gardens and surrounds, biscuit making, cooking, receptionists, and recycling!

Plus, through work, they can gain qualifications such as:

drivers licences and forklift licences
first aid certificates
work cover white cards AND
barista training!

This is just another reason why you should visit.

What are the best things to do at Summerland House Farm in Alstonville with kids?

The only question is where to start?

Summerland Farm Water Park

The Summerland House Farm water park is definitely a big drawcard on a hot day in the Byron shire, when the best Byron beaches for kids are full and car parks are packed, and you simply can’t face the battle of the traffic and car parking police.

Head here instead.

The Summerland Farm splash pad area has:

water sprays
water fountains
the giant sprinkler man!

But that’s not all.

This little water pool is just deep enough for toddlers (and teens!) to get wet, without the stress of visiting a pool.

Park your group to one side of this area, and you probably won’t have to move far, as the kids keep coming back to it.

To the left of the splash pad, there’s another nature play area with water features too.

Pump the water, and it flows down the log and down the channel…

If you follow the water, as the kids will do, there’s a spot that is just right to try and stop the water flow with a dam made of stones.

It’s a popular pastime!

Summerland Farm Adventure Park

The Summerland Farm playground is a fabulous shaded edition to the farm.

It’s one of the best playgrounds in Byron Bay and surrounds, so don’t miss it.

The Summerland House Farm adventure playground fort is the centrepiece.

To the left, there’s a very steep and fast slide.

Hot tip: Best not to go down it when wet.

There’s two entrances to the fort.

This one is a bit tricky for smaller kids.

Here’s why!

These netted ropes, and the ladders.

They are hard on little ones feet.

But GREAT for kids 5 + years.

A much loved challenge!

Smaller children can enter from the staircase on the water park side.

There’s viewing platforms to check out the view from up high.

This is the back of the fort.

We love that the whole thing is shaded, so you can play all day.

Here’s the view from the back towards the right.

Behind the fort is a nest swing.

But only one, so kids have to share.

Next to the fort, kids love this three-pronged log castle.

So does Roam the Gnome!

These climbing poles are good for the aesthetics but aren’t that popular.

And, the carousel is in full sun, so only open in the cooler months when it won’t burn the kids feet!

BYO digging toys, buckets and spades to play in the sandpit.

Yes, it’s under the shady trees too.

(Bonus points!)

Hidden in among the leafy foliage stand bright orange talking telephone poles.

Kids can whisper OR YELL to one another across the way!

There’s also these teepee huts.

Kids love them as part of a hide and seek game.

The playground in it’s entirety is LOVED by kids from 2-12!

Image credit: Kaleb tapp on Unsplash

Summerland Farm Animal farm & Petting zoo

You can also pay an extra fee to visit the Summerland House farm animals.

The Summerland Farm animals include:

baby donkeys – Hiccup and Viking
miniature cows – Quartz and Quince
miniature goats
chickens (The Barn Gals)
guinea pigs
silkie hens

Summerland House Farm Petting Zoo hours

The Summerland House farm petting zoo only operates for a few hours everyday, between 10.30am and 1.30pm.

Summerland Farm animal encounters cost $5.

10.30am
10.45am
11am
11.15am

Paddock encounters are $5.

12.30pm
12.45pm
1pm
1.15pm

Summerland House Farm Prices

Address: 263 Wardell Road, Alstonville, New South Wales (near Ballina)
Summerland House Farm facebook: Click here

How much is Summerland House Farm entry? It’s SUPER CHEAP!

It’s one of the best things to do in Byron Bay on a budget.

Children’s entry is $5.

Adults are $3!

Seniors are $2.

This includes entry to the water park and adventure playground.

Children under 2 are FREE.

**Animal encounters are extra. See above.

Summerland House Farm Opening Hours

Open 7 days
9am to 4pm.

Fun fact: You’ll be given a wristband to wear during your visit.

How to get to Summerland House Farm Alstonville

By Car: You really need a car to get to Summerland House Farm, as it’s in the country.

Get directions from google maps here.

How far is Summerland House Farm from Byron Bay?

It’s 45 km from Jonson Street in Byron Bay to Summerland House Farm.

That’s about 40 minutes.

How far is Summerland House Farm from Ballina?

An easy 20km drive.

Takes about 25 minutes along the Bruxner Highway.

Summerland Farm car parking

Yes, there’s a gigantic free car park on site.

SHOPPING, SOUVENIRS AND MARKETS IN BYRON BAY

No.1: Byron Bay Cookies

Be sure to stop at the BP Service Station on your way out and visit the Byron Bay Cookies outlet store.

Yes, you can buy all the crumbly, delicious seconds for cheap.

Thank me later!

No.2: The Farm Produce Store and Flowers

No.3: Summerland House Farm Shop “The Grocer”

Be sure to take a wander about the farm gate shop too.

Look for the Summerland House Farm products made on site.

These goodies have a distinctive aqua and green label (as pictured above)

The best thing about the Summerland Farm products, other than how good they taste and their stylish packaging, is the product names!

(Do check them out for a giggle.)

The Summerland Farm grocer is FULL of delicious local produce and treats from bespoke gourmet food companies in the Northern Rivers.

The range of food products & gifts on offer is SO extensive, we wrote a guide to the Summerland Farm gate store for those who love to shop for local foods on holiday.

Take a look at the Foodies Guide to Summerland Farm Shop here

Hot tip: If you’ve ever wondered “where can I buy edible flowers in Australia?”, you’ll be delighted to know you can find them in ready-to-go bottles here.

RELATED:

No.4: Summerland Farm Plant Nursery & Byron Bay Herb Nursery

Don’t leave the farm without checking out the range of plants and cuttings in the Potting Shed.

Prices are good too.

Add to your herb collection here too.

And find a gorgeous display of pretty succulents too.

No.5: Cawleys Cottage Gift Shop at Summerland Farm

To the left of the fresh vegetable fridge in the Grocer, you’ll spot the glass door to the Cawleys cottage boutique giftware store.

Head on in.

What to buy at Cawley Cottage shop at Summerland Farm House?

There are treasures GALORE in here, including:

a huge range of Aboriginal design homewares
Utopia Aboriginal design water bottles & holders, coasters and bags
Printed scarves
Locally made skincare products
Teacups and mugs with Australian flower designs
A GIANT wall of leather bags of all shapes and sizes
ornaments, prints, and postcards
backpacks, and baby bags
calendars and diaries
fashion accessories, jewellery and earrings
handbags, shoulder bags, and more

Open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm

This shop has been fundraising since 1985.

No.6: Byron Bay Chocolates

Look out for these Byron Bay chocolates.

Try the IGA in Sunrise, or the Summerland Farm Grocer Shop.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

No.1: Summerland House Farm Cafe

As you enter the main building of Summerland Farm, you’ll spy the cafe to your right.

Take a good look.

And then buy your lunch, or a treat for morning tea.

The cafe is open 7 days a week, from 8am to 4pm.

While you can bring your own picnic and snacks, why bother when you can eat this well from the Summerland House farm cafe menu.

Hot tip: You can also book high tea at the Summerland House Farm restaurant.

(Restaurant is open from 8am to 3pm, 7 days.)

Summerland House Farm Menu

The Summerland Farm Cafe menu includes:

Wraps (the Southern Fried chicken wrap, the Veggie Stack wrap, or the Nourish salad wrap) or a pulled beef or pulled pork and slaw roll – all $12.50 each
Muffins (try the Raspberry & Choc one!) – $6 each
Assorted danish pastries – $4 each
Friands – $4.50 (including gluten free friands)
Ham and Cheese croissants
Assorted cakes and slices (on the day we visited, the options were passionfruit cheesecake, a triple cheesecake, or a chocolate cream cake)
Fruit salad bowls – $10

As much as possible, all the good food in the cafe is made with regionally sourced produce.

The Summerland Farm menu has gluten free options available.

Byron Bay Pies

If you are after something hot and filling, try one of the Byron Gourmet pies or sausage rolls.

Pies are $7, Sausage rolls are $5.

There’s also cups of hot macadamias, in two flavours!

Roasted and salted
Honey roasted

PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS AND NATURE

Update coming soon!

In the meantime: check out Waterlily Park in Ocean Shores and the Bangalow playground.

ART GALLERIES, MUSEUMS, AND LIBRARIES

No.1: Byron Bay Library

Worth a stop if you want to relax in the air-conditioning after a big day of swimming, shopping and walking around the town.

ANIMALS, ZOOS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

No.1: Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital

The Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital (formerly Macadamia Castle) is a top day out for kids in Byron Bay.

It’s about a 20 minute drive, heading south.

No.2: Summerland Farm Animal Petting Zoo

Summerland Farm has an animal petting zoo too. (see review above)

WATER ADVENTURES

Summerland Farm has a water play area too (see review above)

AWESOME BYRON BAY EVENTS, FESTIVALS & FUN DAY TOURS

No.1: Byron Writers Festival

This annual event is much loved.

LOOKING FOR MORE FUN CITIES TO VISIT WITH KIDS?

Click the links in blue below for our Ultimate Family Travel Guides.