Brunswick Heads is a tiny, undeveloped coastal community on the north coast of New South Wales, located at the mouth of the Brunswick River. It’s only 15 minutes north of Byron Bay and 30 minutes from both Ballina Byron and Gold Coast airports.
Brunswick Heads is all about the basic joys of life. Brunswick Heads has preserved its classic beach hamlet charm despite the surrounding coastal development. Timber bridges connect Torakina, a safe, calm beach near the entrance of the Brunswick River, to the surf beach that stretches all the way to Byron Bay.
The river’s north bank is home to a protected rainforest, while the river’s south bank serves as a harbour and small marina for fishing boats and other vessels. The river that flows up to the little town of Mullumbimby is framed by Mt Chincogan and Mt Warning, which give a stunning hinterland background.
Stay at Brunswick Heads lodging and use it as a base to explore the surrounding area. In town, there are four motels, three vacation parks, 50-holiday houses and flats distributed across the town, a family-friendly hotel, and serviced apartments. In adjacent Ocean Shores, New Brighton, and South Golden Beach, there’s also a motel and a variety of vacation homes and apartments.
Brunswick Heads’ tiny population has guaranteed that there is a fine mix of cafés, restaurants, specialised stores, lodging, and a range of activities to cater to families, couples, and the most discriminating guests. Enjoy our simple pleasures, let yourself be pampered, or attend one of our unique and magical community festivals and activities.
It’s a stunning location for weddings and other occasions, thanks to its natural splendour.
Things to do in Brunswick Heads
The Brunswick River
There are several ways to enjoy the beautiful Brunswick River. You may rent a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, motorboat, or BBQ boat. Alternatively, you may keep things simple by taking a refreshing plunge in the crystal clear water or strolling across the footbridge.
Brunswick Picture House
A genuinely distinctive entertainment venue In 2016, the Brunswick Picture House was painstakingly restored. It presently accommodates a variety of movies, circus, cabaret, music, and family-friendly shows. A very inventive organisation, it is a must-see the next time you’re in Brunswick.
Brunswick Heads Skate Park
It features a great bowl measuring 465m2 with a shallow end of 1500mm deep and deep ends of 1800mm and 2400mm radiuses. There are also banks, ledges, and rails throughout the park. It’s on the Old Pacific Highway on the south side of Brunswick Heads, near to the Bowling Club.
Brunswick Heads Fairy Trail
What a lovely idea, and what a lot of fun for the kids. Check out the Visitors Centre for a map and see if you can discover all of the hidden fairies.
Brunswick Heads Bowling Club
Located on the outskirts of town. The club includes all of the modern amenities you’d expect from a modern social and athletic club as well as a function centre. The clubhouse is positioned to take in the scenic views of the superb greens and natural bush environment.
Brunswick Heads Beaches
Torakina Beach
South Beach Road is where you’ll find it. Torakina Beach is a beautiful curve of beach protected by the two break walls near the Brunswick River’s mouth. Torakina is well-liked by parents as a great place for children to swim and play on the sand. Torakina Parklands, a vast grassy area filled with picnic tables, is located behind the beach. A tap, shower, toilets, and a parking lot are also available. The beach in Torakina is not patrolled.
Brunswick Heads Main Beach
Long hikes, swimming, surfing, and fishing are all popular activities on this beach. The beach is 10.5 kilometres long and bends south towards Byron Bay.
A fisherman is seen casting a line from the break wall. Flathead, whiting, and bream are caught in the river, while tailor, bream, whiting, and mulloway can be caught from the shore.
When a local surfer mentions the ‘Bruns Bar,’ they are referring to Main Beach at Brunswick Heads. The finest waves are located close to the south entry wall and on the reef just north of the walls.
During the summer, Main Beach is patrolled. See the Byron Shire Council’s Surf Life Saving information for specific dates.
From September to April, the Brunswick SLSC is in charge of monitoring the region on weekends and public holidays. www.beachsafe.org.au has further information about when the beach is patrolled and beach safety recommendations for Main Beach.
Ample parking, grassy spaces, picnic tables, and restrooms are available near the Surf Club.
Brunswick Heads Events and Festivals
Byron2Bruns Beach Run
The Byron2Bruns Beach Run is a 10-kilometer run from Belongil Creek (north of Byron Bay) to the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club in Brunswick Heads, New South Wales. This is a charity event and the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club’s primary yearly fund raising event. Shuttle buses to the start line are provided, and the advent of a new 5km race invites individuals of all fitness levels to participate. A good cause and a fantastic healthy day out in the winter sun.
Back to Brunswick Hot Rod Run
Get your motor running for the Back to Brunswick Hot Rod Run, a spectacular show of stunning automobiles and laid-back enjoyment. For the last ten years, the race has been an annual event in Brunswick, and both participants and spectators have enjoyed it. The run is held in mid-July and features two cruise-to-lunch events, a show-and-shine display, prizes, live music, and fireworks.
Old and Gold Festival
Every year in June, an antique and vintage market called Old and Gold is held. It is quite popular with both locals and visitors, and its popularity grows with each passing year.
Aside from hunting for that special piece of treasure, you can also enjoy music, environmental demonstrations, horse and carriage rides, incredible food, fundraising bbqs, the Lucky Penny prise wheel at the Memorial Hall entry, Devonshire teas at the CWA, and some fantastic raffles at the Indoor Collectables Fair. The whole family will have a great time.
Mullum2Bruns Paddle
A fun and sporty event that is also a great chance to donate funds for charity. The Mullum2Bruns Paddle takes place on the Brunswick River every year. The paddle begins at Mullumbimby Heritage Park and ends at Terrace Park in Brunswick Heads. That’s about a 10-kilometer journey.
Brunswick Valley Woodchop and Festival of Fish n Chips
The Brunswick Valley Woodchop Festival has been running since 1961. Every year in January, the Festival includes the Festival Fish n Chips, a traditional carnival, a fireworks show, and the woodchop programme, which attracts contestants from the United States and New Zealand. It’s a lovely and festive time of year to visit Brunswick.
Twilight Christmas Celebrations
Every year in mid-December, a magnificent evening of markets by the river and shopping in town takes place. A fantastic event for young and old alike where you can soak up some Christmas happiness while spending quality time with family and friends. Buy some locally made presents and get a bite to eat at one of Brunswick’s numerous cafes and eateries.
Brunswick Heads Restaurants
La Casita
This warm, relaxed ’little house’ is our take on authentic Mexican cuisine. Dishes are simple yet complex in flavour. We have a wonderful network of local, mindful producers and are extremely fortunate to work with the incredible produce our region provides. We are fully licensed, shaking up cocktails and sourcing a diverse range of agave spirits, natural wines and beer.
Cadeau Bar & Restaurant
A local eatery & wine bar offering the best of what hospitality has to offer; tasty food, great wine & a relaxed, joyful dining experience.
Lello’s
Lello’s Pasta Bar is a family owned and operated Italian restaurant that specialises in home made pasta using organic flour and organic free range pastured eggs.
Honour
Join us in Brunswick Heads for a vibrant, seasonal European menu & the most exciting natural wine list in the region. Listed in Gourmet Traveller Wine’s 50 best places to drink wine in Australia and New Zealand 2022.
Brunswick Heads Pubs
Hotel Brunswick
A visit to Brunswick Heads always deserves a visit to this amazing pub. The Hotel Brunswick offers excellent food, cold beers, and a friendly family atmosphere in a leafy, riverfront beer garden. Fourteen rooms some with river views, add vintage charm to this beautifully restored 1940’s building in the heart of Brunswick Heads, in Northern New South Wales
Brunswick Heads Cafes
Table View
At Table View we hope to share the specialty coffee experience with magical Brunswick Heads. Our local Byron roastery Marvell Street Coffee Roasters, handcraft a variety of seasonal blends and single origins of the highest quality.
Happy Dolphin
We are a modern Australian cafe serving delicious breakfast, and quick, simple, healthy lunches!
Footbridge Cafe
Local Coffee, Organic Breads & Milks, Free range eggs, Home Made Cakes and Goodies, Free Range Chicken, Local Ingredients, Gluten Free Options. Outdoor Seating under the Sun Umbrelas, Private Interior booths & large interior table seating, window bar, Take Away Coffee.
