This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Byron Bay.
Byron Bay is a friendly little town located on the Australian east coast, and is popular among both international backpackers and Australian sun-seekers. The place is hippy-chic and has some amazing beaches, lots of (surf) shops, many restaurant options also for vegetarians and vegans, and a hinterland with waterfall and rainforest galore. The people in Byron Bay are friendly and very environmentally aware (so think twice before littering here). Most travelers arrive intending to stay for three days and end up staying for three months!
There are many activities available ranging from lawn bowling and sunbathing to a visit to Nimbin (weed capital of Australia), surfing, sea kayaking, shark and sea-turtle spotting while scuba diving at Julian Rocks, and skydiving. Or take the scenic walk up to the lighthouse and the most easterly point of Australia, and spot some whales and dolphins on the way up! Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, and Brisbane are all less than a two-hour drive away; you can easily go and visit one of the many theme parks around Surfers Paradise.
Most hostels in Byron Bay are within the small town center, or in walking distance. Byron Bay hostels are generally clean, comfortable, and safe and most of them have a pool even though they are in walking distance from the beach. The hostels can become quite expensive during the summer months, especially during the Australian "schoolies" in December, when high school students from all over the country go on a holiday to the Gold Coast to celebrate the end of school. In less busy times, it is easy to find a hostel and there are many travel agencies around town that are happy to book accommodation for you and make arrangements for the remainder of you trip, anywhere in Australia -- if you are able to leave this wonderful place, that is.
Written by local enthusiast for Byron Bay hostels
Nicki
