Wategos Beach is one of Byron Bay’s best locations to picnic, surf and explore this peaceful sheltered beach. If you are looking for somewhere to perch up for the day, I couldn’t recommend Wategos Beach enough!
I have put together this complete guide of Wategos Beach including how to get there and what to expect!
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WHERE IS WATEGOS BEACH BYRON BAY
Wategos Beach is located on the northern side of Cape Byron Lighthouse. From central Byron, it’s approximately a 10-minute drive from the center of town or a 1-hour walk along the coastal boardwalk to reach Wategos Beach.
If you are heading to Wategos Beach from south of Byron Bay, it’s approximately a 40-minute drive from the nearby town of Ballina.
Parking is limited at Wategos Beach Byron so you may have to do a couple of laps of the parking lot before you score a park. It is metered parking that costs $4 per hour, not the cheapest but it’s worth it to experience the beauty of Wategos Beach.
Be careful if you try to avoid not paying for parking when you visit Wategos Beach as there are parking inspectors that will give you a nasty fine if you don’t have a valid parking ticket.
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Wategos Beach
Arriving at Wategos Beach
Idyllic scenes at Wategos Beach
4 TOP THINGS TO DO AT WATEGOS BEACH
#1 PICNIC AT WATEGOS BEACH
Pack a picnic, some drinks and something to cook up on one of the free beachside barbecues at Wategos Beach and enjoy it on the beach or at a picnic table.
#2 SURFING AT WATEGOS BEACH
If you’re on the hunt for some uncrowded waves when visiting Byron Bay, Wategos Beach is a good pick especially if you are a longboarder.
The right-hand point break wraps in around Cape Byron and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for bottlenose dolphins as they surf the incoming waves at Wategos Beach.
#3 LITTLE WATEGOS BEACH
Follow the rocks along the southern end of Wategos Beach and right around the bend you will find another hidden gem known as Little Wategos Beach.
Little Wategos Beach is a slice of paradise and it is the most Easterly Point Of Mainland Australia. You can find some awesome little rock pools among the rocky headland on low tide.
#4 CLIMB THE STAIRS TO CAPE BYRON LIGHTHOUSE
Another one of the best things to do at Wategos Beach is to climb the stairs to the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse.
You can access the walking track to get to the lighthouse either from the end of the car park at Wategos Beach or there is also a track up from Little Wategos Beach.
This is one of my favorite short walks in Byron that offers amazing views up and down the coastline. Take your time on this mini trek as you will most likely spot some native Australian wildlife such as kangaroos and laughing kookaburras.
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated with Hydro Flask! I take this water bottle with me on all of my adventures. Hydro Flask keeps your water icy cold all day and you’ll also be helping out the environment by reducing the use of single-use plastics.
Wategos Beach Byron Bay
Little Wategos Beach
Exploring Wategos Beach
Cape Byron Lighthouse near Wategos Beach
PIN LOCATION OF WATEGOS BEACH
WHERE TO STAY NEAR WATEGOS BEACH
There are countless accommodation options to choose from in Byron Bay so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay near Wategos Beach to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: The Watermark
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Mid Range: Glen Villa Resort
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Budget: Nomads Backpackers
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OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST NEAR WATEGOS BEACH
The stretch of coastline and hinterland areas between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast boasts many awesome beaches, lakes, waterfalls, hikes and all-around naturalistic adventures waiting to be had!
This is what Australia is all about and what I aim to share with you all in my detailed guides.
You may want to see my other related posts near Wategos Beach in the Northern NSW region:
BEST BYRON BAY TOURS
LONELY PLANET – AUSTRALIA
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Australia Travel Guide!
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AIRBNB NEAR WATEGOS BEACH
Another option for accommodation near Wategos Beach is to stay in an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals in Byron Bay.
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JOIN MY FACEBOOK TRAVEL TRIBE
Do you have any questions about Wategos Beach?
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MORE AUSTRALIA TRAVEL GUIDES
• Gold Coast: 3 Day Gold Coast Itinerary
• Gold Coast: 11 Best Gold Coast Beaches
• Springbrook: Springbrook Waterfalls
• Currumbin: Currumbin Rock Pools
• Brisbane: Things To Do In Brisbane
• Byron Bay: Things To Do In Byron Bay
• Sydney: Things To Do In Sydney
• Melbourne: Things To Do In Melbourne
• Fraser Island: Fraser Island Day Trip
WHAT TO PACK FOR WATEGOS BEACH
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this Wategos Beach post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS OF WATEGOS BEACH
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Wategos Beach, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
Happy Adventuring!
