The Byron Coast

Byron Coast Family

From borrowing toys and joining story time to circus skills, skating and youth theatre, families across the Byron Coast have plenty of practical ways to play, learn and spend time together. Local and regional services also offer support through the early years, developmental concerns, parenting challenges, disability, flood recovery and family violence.

✨ Play, movement and creative activities

Circus Arts Byron Bay

Children and teenagers aged 1–16 can build circus skills through age-appropriate classes, while school-holiday programs and parties provide additional ways to take part. The Byron Bay venue includes a children’s play space, climbing wall, wheelchair access and off-street parking. Classes require bookings, and spectators are welcome but cannot enter class areas.

Jarjumirr Skate Park

Skaters of different ages and abilities can use this council-operated park in Byron Bay. It combines a beginner-to-intermediate ramp and bowl area with a 10-foot bowl, giving families options for different skill levels. A climbing boulder, table-tennis table, accessible pathways and seating add variety, while BBQs and grassed areas make it easier for accompanying family members to spend time nearby.

Suffolk Park Pump Track

Located at Linda Vidler Park, the asphalt pump track is open to bicycles, scooters, skateboards and wheelchairs. Its rollers and banked turns are designed for all ages and skill levels, so children, young people and adults can choose a pace that suits their confidence and experience.

Byron Youth Theatre

Young people can develop drama, performance and theatre skills through this not-for-profit organisation’s Mullumbimby classes. Its 2026 groups include TRY BYT for ages 9–11, 1st BYT for ages 12–15 and Advanced BYT for ages 16–24. Entry to the advanced group requires an audition, and previous experience is preferred. Fees and voucher arrangements depend on the group.

📚 Everyday learning and early childhood

Byron Shire Toy Library

Families can borrow rather than buy from toy-library locations in Suffolk Park and Ocean Shores. The collection includes baby toys, puzzles, games and early-learning resources. Family, concession, grandparent and short-term holiday memberships are available, making the service relevant to local households as well as visiting families. Check the applicable membership conditions and loan limits before choosing an option.

Richmond Tweed Regional Library — Byron Area Libraries

Free public-library services are available through branches at Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby, with mobile-library stops in Bangalow, Ocean Shores and Suffolk Park. Regular children’s story time sessions run at all three branches. Byron Shire residents can join free, although anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign the membership application.

Sandhills Early Childhood Centre

This council-run, not-for-profit Byron Bay service provides early childhood education and care for children from six weeks to five years. Families can enquire about vacancies or join the waiting list. Places can be particularly difficult to secure for children aged six weeks to three years, so early contact may be useful. The centre operates on weekdays and closes for two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

🌱 Early-years health and developmental support

Byron Ambulatory Care Unit — Child and Family Health

Families caring for children from birth to five can access Northern NSW Local Health District nurses for developmental screening, clinic or home visits, and information about feeding, sleep, development and parenting. No referral is needed, but bookings are essential. The Early Bird Parenting Group is specifically for parents of babies aged two weeks to six months.

Byron Ambulatory Care Unit — Child and Family Therapy Team

Occupational therapists, speech pathologists and physiotherapists provide assessment and therapy for Byron Shire children from birth to 18. The team works with physical, sensory and communication development, as well as feeding difficulties. KidScreen is a weekly screening, intake and monitoring clinic for younger children before they begin school.

Byron Bay Equine Therapy & Psychology

Based in the Byron Bay hinterland, this practice provides psychology, counselling and occupational therapy for children and teenagers. Areas of support include neurodivergence, disability, sensory processing, emotional regulation and school participation. Appointments may be offered in office, outdoor or telehealth settings. NDIS and private-paying clients are accepted, and eligible psychology clients may be able to claim Medicare rebates.

🤝 Parenting, youth and family support

Support for New Mums

Trained volunteers provide free, home-based support to mothers across Byron Shire and the wider Northern Rivers. Weekly visits may include companionship, reassurance and practical help, offering a regular point of connection during early parenthood.

FCS Brighter Beginnings — Social Futures

Families with children aged 0–5 can self-refer to this free early-support program without obtaining a referral letter. Serving Byron and surrounding Northern NSW areas, it helps families connect with health and wellbeing services, parenting support, family counselling and practical assistance. Connections may also cover housing, finances and NDIS-related needs.

Brighter Futures Family Preservation — Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre

Operating from Mullumbimby and serving the Far North Coast, this service supports families with children from the antenatal period through to age 17. Case management and parenting programs—including Circle of Security, Psychology of Parenting and 10 Magic Strategies—are available for families facing concerns such as child behaviour, parenting pressures, domestic violence, mental health or substance use.

Getting it Together — Social Futures

Young people aged 8–25 across Byron and Northern NSW can receive free assistance with independence, life skills, personal development and wellbeing. Support can also involve connections to specialist services and work on family or community relationships. Families may enquire or make a referral through Social Futures.

Resilient Kids — Social Futures

This outreach program supports Byron Shire young people aged 8–18 who were affected by the 2022 floods. After referral, intake and assessment, assistance may include individual sessions, counselling, therapeutic groups and care coordination. Family-inclusive sessions and parenting groups may also form part of the response.

❤ Safety and counselling

Byron Ambulatory Care Unit — Child and Family Counselling

Children aged 0–12 and their families who live in Byron Shire can access free assessment and therapy. Referrals may come from parents, carers, teachers, GPs or health professionals, and families can also refer themselves.

Women’s Resource Service — Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre

Women and children subjected to domestic and family violence can make an appointment for information, referral, assessment and case coordination or management. The service operates across Ballina, Byron and Tweed shires. In partnership with Byron Youth Service, its One Eighty Project supports affected young people aged 10–17 in Byron Shire. This is not a crisis service.

📌 Before you take part

• Check ages and eligibility: Programs use different age ranges, residency rules and referral pathways.
• Book ahead: Classes, clinical appointments and some support programs require advance booking, intake or assessment.
• Confirm access needs: Ask the provider about physical access, communication support, supervision and individual participation requirements.
• Review current costs: Check fees, membership types, vouchers, rebates and funding arrangements directly before enrolling.
• Prepare for active sessions: For circus, skating and pump-track visits, confirm suitable clothing, equipment and adult-supervision expectations.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving the Byron Coast, you are warmly invited to add your own listing or update its details so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on byron.guide.