Byron Bay's original inhabitants are the Arakwal people, who are part of the Bundjalung group. The Arakwal called this meeting place 'Cavvanbah', which was the name of the settlement until 1894 when it became Byron Bay.

Long before it was named Byron Bay by European explorers, the area was known as Cavanbah by the local Indigenous residents, the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung Nation. In the Bundjalung language, "Cavanbah" translates to "Meeting Place." For thousands of years, it served as a vital spiritual and social hub where regional tribes gathered to trade, resolve disputes, and celebrate during the annual migration of sea life, particularly during the "Mullet Run." The name was changed to Byron Bay in the late 19th century, named after John Byron, a British naval officer and grandfather of the famous poet Lord Byron. Today, the Indigenous name is still honored through local landmarks and community centers, reflecting the deep, ongoing connection the Arakwal people have with the land and sea.