If you love the beach, but long for somewhere away from the crowds, then there’s no better place to travel to than Broken Head. Situated on the east coast of Australia, it is nine kilometres south of Byron Bay and part of the Northern Rivers region of NSW belonging to the Arakwal people from the Bundjalung Nation.
My partner and I live in Brisbane and were in urgent need of some down time. In the past we’ve headed to Belongil Beach north of Byron Bay or the hinterland area, west of the bay. We decided we’d try somewhere new, where we’d cook our own meals, but still have the option of dropping in somewhere local for a cold beer or two.
Broken Head is a magical spot. Named for its headland that juts into the south Pacific, it is truly a secluded and captivating area. With the rainforest dipping into the ocean there is plenty to do in the area. The Three Sisters walk takes you through forest filled with interesting flora and fauna. The Three Sisters are named after the rocks that form part of the headland. An Indigenous dreaming story, it tells of one sister who was caught in a rip, when the other sisters tried to save her they all drowned and were turned to stone, becoming part of the coastline. The walk is 1.6 kilometres return trip and gave us ample time to stretch our legs, sit and watch the coastal waters for marine life and enjoy the sun and fresh air.
Our Airbnb accommodation was glorious, and there are options for all budgets in the area. A local holiday park allows campers and caravaners the opportunity to live just a short walk from the beach. There are also resorts and motels close by. If swimming, sunbaking, surfing, and stargazing is your thing, then Broken Head is the place for you. We visited in early February and were delighted by the water temperature where we raced each other into the surf. If you’re an avid sideline surf enthusiastic, like myself, then there is all day surfing to watch, as locals and visitors alike vie for the best waves. The opportunity to lay back and watch nature create sweeping and neon graffiti as the sun sets, and test your knowledge of the constellations, (in our case minimal) is waiting for you.
If you’re looking for more excitement than swimming and hiking, then the area is also famous for seasonal whale-watching, surfing, partaking in the local produce and breweries and ocean kayaking. We were happy to lie in the sand after catching some waves and watching the crabs scuttle in the grass. With the occasional Brahminy Kite and Sea Eagle flying above, my partner and I couldn’t have been happier.