regional guide to lennox head, its BEACHES, and the region
Broken Head
Broken Head beach is located 10 minutes north of Lennox on the coast road to Byron. There's signposting on your right, just before you get to Suffolk Park.
Kings 1, Kings 2, Brays and Whites Beaches
These beaches are all hidden gems. They're located between Broken Head and the north end of 7 Mile Beach. These small beaches, surrounded by beautiful sub-tropical rain forest, are not super easy to access, but definitely worth the adventure if you don’t mind a bit of up hill hiking! To get to there, take the turn towards Broken Head. Before you get to the Caravan Park and beach car park, there'ss a turn off on your right that takes you on a windy dirt road for several kilometres through the reserve. When you get to the beaches, there is a small hike down the slopes to get to each beach, which also involves the small hike back up. You won’t be disappointed!
Byron Bay
There are many beautiful beaches aside from Main Beach in Byron that are easy to find. The Pass and Wategos are the most popular. Follow signs to the Byron Lighthouse and you will also see the signs to reach these. Tallows Beach is another beautiful north end beach in Byron below the lighthouse, and is also dog friendly.
The turn off to Tallows Beach is on your right just before you get to CaptainCooks car park on your way to the lighthouse, The Pass and Wategos.
Just on the northern side of town in Byron you'll find Belongil Beach, another beautiful north facing beach that is dog friendly- we love it here.
7 Mile – Dog Friendly
Lennox Head’s beautiful 7 Mile Beach is located straight out in front of the apartment. If you continue along the main road north towards the lake, the road ends in a car park where the “dog friendly” area of the beach starts.
If you have a 4WD, and prefer having the beach practically to yourself, there's a turn on your left between the lake and the caravan park. Follow this road (turns into a dirt road). On your right there is a short signposted road that leads you to the 4WD access part of the beach. The end of 7-mile beach is absolutely stunning. If you wish to drive on the beach, you’ll need a license from the petrol station on Byron Street in Lennox. If you don’t have a 4WD, keep driving to the end of the road. There is a short walking entrance where you can walk the beach without many people about.
Boulders Beach – Dog Friendly
Boulders is located on the other side of Lennox headland heading south towards Ballina. It is beautiful slightly hidden beach, which is less crowded than most beaches in the area. You can walk to Boulders as well by following the path south from town along the beach and up the headland. This is a very popular walking route here.
Landmarks
Minyon Falls - [Directions]
The Minyon Falls view is stunning. On a clear day, you can sometimes even see the coast. There are a few bush walks that leave from the top of the falls area, which takes you down to the base of the falls. Minyon Falls is a 40 minute drive.
Cape Byron Lighthouse - [Directions]
The lighthouse in Byron is pretty spectacular and is the most Eastern point of Australia. The best time to go is early morning or late afternoon. Just follow the signs as you drive into Byron. You can also walk up there from The Pass and Wategos on the Lighthouse Trail.
LAKE AINSWORTH - [Directions]
Lake Ainsworth is a tea-tree stained dunal lake and is very popular with locals and visitors. The lake is located at the northern end of Pacific Parade and is complemented by wonderful barbecue and picnic facilities. It’s an exhilarating experience to swim between the salty ocean and the fresh water lake. It’s also suitable for stand-up paddle boards, kayaking and canoeing.
Tweed Regional Gallery - [Directions]
Surrounded by beautiful gardens and lawns and offering panoramic views of the Tweed River, the Tweed Regional Gallery is the perfect place to visit to view first-rate exhibitions. This is a great opportunity to take a beautiful scenic drive through the hinterlands of Byron Bay and Tweed Heads regions. The gallery itself is one of the finest state museum buildings in the country with an incredible collection and 4 seperate exhibition areas that feature world-class touring shows and iconic Australian exhibitions such as the Archibald Prize. It also includes the Margaret Olley Art Centre which celebrates the life and work of one of Australia's finest woman artists. Olley's original paddington home in Sydney has been moved, piece by piece and article by article, and sits in a purpose-built wing of the gallery. Don't miss this.
Day Spas
Byron at Byron Spa: (02) 6639 2000 [Directions]
The Kiva Spa, Mullumbimby: (02) 6684 4811 [Directions]
Gaia Retreat and Spa, Brooklet: (02) 6687 1216 [Directions]
Buddha Gardens Day Spa, Byron Bay: (02) 6680 7844 [Directions]
Hungry?
Lennox and surrounding areas have many cafes and restaurants to choose from. Here are some of our favourites!
Image: Halcyon House
Shelter (Café/Bar/Restaurant) Breakfast Lunch and Dinner: (02) 6687 7757
A hands down favourite. Friendly staff, amazing coffee, with a strong focus on local, seasonal produce and the best view! Shelter is a must for dinner when in Lennox Head, a truly fine dining experience. Located on the beachfront in a quiet residential area, it’s also the perfect place to have your morning coffee and read the paper.
If a beautiful beachside wedding is calling you, Shelter also offer a full service venue from a picturesque beachside ceremony location (across the road), cocktail outdoor area and indoor restaurant with windows folding right back to bring the outdoors in.
Quattro Italian Restaurant: (02) 6687 6950
Opposite the beach and on the edge of the Lennox village centre, Quattro is a little haven of Mediterranean delight. The house special is the wood fired pizza. These are prepared by great cooks and baked in a traditional oven...and the best part; it’s a 3 minute walk from the apartment!THE POINT CAFE: (02) 6687 6500
Our good friends at The Point Cafe are conveniently located directly beneath our apartments. With its relaxed vibe and great food, it is the perfect place to start your day off. Open for breakfast and lunch 7 days a week.
The diner: (02) 6687 6106
In the centre of town and not even a minute walk from the apartments, The Diner is a must. Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, The Diner focuses on providing the best local produce around. A fully licensed bar, with a great selection of cocktails & wines and Pop Up Guest Chefs every Tuesday, you won’t be disappointed.
Doma: (02) 6688 4711 [Directions]
Amazing Japanese food with and Australian twist! Located in the middle of the beautiful hinterland village Federal, Doma is a place not to be missed! Opening for lunch between 12 noon and 2:30pm (bookings not available) this popular little cafe is the perfect place for a relaxing outdoor lunch….and its dog friendly!
The hut - [Directions]
The Hut is a truly amazing dining experience that we highly recommended. A short 25 minute picturesque drive from Lennox, The Hut is located in Possum Creek on a beautiful hinterland property. Inspired by the Mediterranean and the pleasure of eating together, The Huts menu celebrates the simplicity of traditional Mediterranean flavours through delightful dishes created to be shared
bang bang: (02) 7204 5324- [Directions]
Mouth watering food to die for. Located in the midst of Byron, Bang Bang is a gem for fun and high quality dining! Opened for lunch and dinner, this restaurant is frequently recommended by locals, for dinner especially!
Paper Daisy: (02) 6676 144 - [Directions}
Paper Daisy is the a new restaurant in the award winning boutique hotel, Halcyon House, located in the heart of the beautiful coastal town, Cabarita. The perfect location for a long lunch, with its eclectic chic décor and to die for menu…you will not be disappointed! Paper Daisy is a 40- minute drive from Lennox. Being quite popular, we suggest you book.
Other Restaurants & Cafes
Byron Bay
Kouzina: 0451 196 769 Light Years: 0423138538 Yullies: (02) 6685 5711 Cyprus Tree: (02) 6680 8202
The Roadhouse: 0403 355 498
The Balcony Bar & Restaurant: (02) 6680 9666
Kinoko: (02) 6680 9044
Bayleaf Café: (02) 6685 8900 Rae’s on Watego’s: (02) 6685 5366
The Farm Byron Bay: (02) 6684 7888
Miss Margaritas: (02) 6685 6828
The Mez Club: (02) 66855748 The Pass Cafe: (02) 6680 8028
Lennox
The Kiosk: (02) 6687 7380 William Street: (02) 6687 433
The Point Café: (02) 6687 6500
Seed and Husk: (02) 66875151
Lennox Gelato & Coffee Co: (02) 6687 5552
Shortys (Tapas Bar): (02) 6687 4358
Fishy Fishy: (02) 6687 5599
Freewave Sushi and Burgers: (02) 6687 7129
Lennox Head Pizza & Pasta: (02) 6687 7080
Papaya: (Next to bakery in Main Street)
The Beef & Beach: (02) 6687 5769 (at the pub)
The Bakery: (02) 6687 7109
Ballina
The Belle General: 0411 361 453 Ché Bon: (02) 66878 221 Kin: 0491 948 190 Shelly Beach Cafe: 0497 803 657
nEWRYBAR
Harvest: (02) 6687 2644
federal
Doma: (02) 6688 4711
LOCAL amenities
Supermarket And Groceries
There’s an IGA supermarket on the main street (across the road from the apartment, 30 meters on your right). The IGA is open 6:30am to 8:00pm throughout daylight savings & 6:30am to 7:00pm in winter. Fruit and vegetables & organic produce are also available at Seed and Husk and at SeaGrass. We have a great butcher, and a local fruit and vegetable shop that are all located on the main street. Most of these shops open until 6pm Monday to Saturday (Sea Grass open 7 days a week). If you need anything later in the evening, there’s a service station located on Byron Street (the road leaving Lennox towards Byron) that has a small, but good range of convenience store products and local take-out meals. The opening hours are 5:00am – 12pm, 7 days. Ballina has a Coles, Super IGA, Woolworths and Aldi all within a 15 minute drive.
Post Office, Newsagent & ATMs
Directly across the road from the apartment is our local post office. There is also a newsagent on the same side of the road, about a 2 minute walk, heading towards the IGA supermarket. There are several ATMs located in Lennox. There is a Summerland Credit Union ATM, as well as several independent ATMs located at the newsagent, The Bakery, Lennox Gelato & Coffee, all located within minutes walk from the apartment, and the service station. Unfortunately there is no major bank ATMs located in Lennox Head.
Board Hire
If you are interested in any water sport activities, Lennox Head Surf rents a variety of surfboards, stand up paddle boards and bodyboards. The shop is located in the apartment building complex on the ground level. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PRICE LIST
Artworks
In all the apartments you’ll find many original artworks and limited edition artwork reproductions hanging on the walls. Most of these are by established Australian artist Angus McDonald who owns Eleuthera together with his family and is a local of Lennox Head. There are also some other works from excellent local artists we know well. We hope you agree that having original artworks in the apartments makes the atmosphere much more beautiful. If you like any of the works and want to enquire about purchasing one, get in touch with us by email. You can see more about Angus McDonald’s work and his local art practice here www.angusmcdonald.com.au