Byron Bay Museums and Art Galleries

(Byron Bay, New South Wales - NSW, Australia)

Although Byron Bay may be known more for its beaches and coastline, than its museums and galleries, there are plenty of cultural offerings in this area. Byron Bay has no actual museums to speak of, meaning that history buffs will near to head some 38 km / 24 miles to the south, to the nearby town of Ballina.

Less than an hours' drive from Byron Bay, the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum was founded in 1983 by a number of former sailors and stands on Regatta Avenue, alongside the Richmond River. Especially popular and open seven days a week, the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum celebrates the local heritage with hands-on maritime displays and Australia's biggest collection of merchant and naval ships.


Located approximately 45 km / 28 miles to the south-west of Byron Bay, the Richmond River Historical Society at Lismore dates as far back as 1936, when it was founded to both preserve and display historical information from the Richmond region. In the small and eccentric village of Nimbin, roughly 75 km / 47 miles west of Byron Bay, the Nimbin Museum documents the local cannabis culture and undeniable hippy vibe.

When it comes to actual art galleries, Byron Bay does deliver and suits those looking for a quality souvenir depicting the coastal scenery. These include Farrell Glass Design and Ganesa Gallery, both of which are sited on Acacia Street, and Bim Bam Byron Bay on the corner of Fletcher Street and Lawson Street, where Aboriginal art and craft works are available for purchase, including everything from paintings and wall hangings, to glassware, pottery and wooden animal sculptures.

Nimbin Museum

Address: 61 Cullen Street, Nimbin, New South Wales (NSW), 2480, Australia, AU
Tel: +61 02 6689 1123

Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum

Address: Regatta Avenue, Ballina, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, AU
Tel: +61 02 6681 1002

David Mackay Harrison Galleries

Address: 79 Bayview Drive, Ballina, New South Wales (NSW), 2478, Australia, AU
Tel: +61 02 6686 3053

Richmond River Historical Society

Address: 165 Molesworth Street, Lismore, New South Wales (NSW), 2480, Australia, AU
Tel: +61 02 6621 9993

Farrell Glass Design

Address: 6 Acacia Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales (NSW), 2481, Australia, AU
Tel: +61 02 6685 7044

Bim Bam Byron Bay (Indigenous Fine Art and Craft)

Address: Corner of Fletcher Street and Lawson Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, AU
Tel: +61 02 6680 8813

Retrospect Galleries

Address: 52 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales (NSW), 2481, Australia, AU
Tel: +61 02 6680 8825

Ganesa Gallery

Address: 13 Acacia Street, Byron Bay, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, AU
Tel: +61 02 6680 8859