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Byron Bay is a small but immensely popular coastal town that lies 100 miles south of Brisbane and 55 miles south of The Gold Coast. It offers much of the laid-back charm of these two popular NSW cities, only with an even more peaceful pace thanks to its small size.
Byron Bay has fantastic beaches that are suitable for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing, but it also offers easy access to lush countryside and the rolling hills of the hinterland. Plus, it has fantastic bars and restaurants for those who want to sample the delicious produce and seafood that is local to this stretch of Australia’s east coast.
If you’re planning a visit to Byron Bay and wondering where to stay, read on to learn about some of the town’s best neighborhoods for tourists. We highlight the pros and cons of each area and highlight some of the best hotels, hostels, and resorts to help you discover the right accommodation for your budget and travel style.
Byron Bay Center for First-Time Visitors
Highlights: Restaurants, bars, Main Beach, Byron Beach, surfing
The center of Byron Bay is the liveliest part of town. The streets are lined with restaurants, cafes, bars, surf shops, boutique stores, hotels, guesthouses, and hostels. The area is highly walkable so you can get around easily and reach the beach in minutes. Main Beach is the town’s most central beach and is a great spot for surfing, but sunbathing, swimming, and volleyball are also common.
If you want to be at the heart of Byron Bay’s action, stay in the center of town. Just don’t expect lots of peace and quiet because the area is constantly bustling with tourists both day and night.
Where to Stay in Byron Bay Center
Here are our top recommendations of where to stay in central Byron Bay:
- Beach Hotel Resort lies at the heart of the town and is an easy three-minute walk away from Main Beach. This small four-star hotel has an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a communal living room, and 25 guestrooms each equipped with a minibar, a Smart TV, and free WiFi.
- Swell Hotel is a cool adults-only boutique hotel inspired by the 1970s. Its retro rooms and suites have cool vintage style details, and there’s a host of wellness extras to enjoy such as a mineral pool, a cedar sauna, and ice baths.
- The Bower Byron Bay is a sophisticated family-friendly hotel set within pretty tropical gardens, and it has a mix of rooms, suites, studios, and entire houses available on its property. Free parking, WiFi, and bike rentals are available, and wellness treatments are on offer in the on-site spa.
- Waves Byron Bay is a chic boutique hotel with spacious suites and penthouses available. Beach chairs and boogie boards are available for guests to use for free, and those staying in penthouses can enjoy their own private terrace and BBQ equipment.
- Glen Villa Resort is a caravan park and campsite that offers a traditional beach vacation experience. Despite being close to the town center it has a secluded feeling thanks to its spacious 14-acre grounds which include tropical gardens and a saltwater pool.
- Atlantic Byron Bay is a bright, airy, and modern property with an outdoor pool, tropical gardens, and chic timber decking. It offers a range of room sizes, each with access to laid-back shared spaces including kitchens, living rooms, and outdoor dining areas.
- Beach Suites Byron Bay is a luxurious pet-friendly property with a mix of penthouses, beachfront studios, and garden studios to choose from. Some of the suites have their own private plunge pools.
Fletcher Street for Budget Trips
Highlights: Backpacking hostels, cafes, restaurants
Fletcher Street cuts through the heart of Byron Bay center for several blocks and is something of a hub for backpackers and budget travelers. There are lots of cheap hostels to choose from here, and most of the cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops on Fletcher Street have affordable prices. Be sure to check out No Bones if you’re looking for delicious vegan food.
Where to Stay on Fletcher Street
This is where to stay on Fletcher Street:
- The Surf House is set within a heritage-listed building that once served as the Byron Council Chambers and it blends original features with modern design. It’s an unfussy hostel with a mix of dorms and private rooms with convenient services and amenities such as free cancellation, free WiFi, and free surfboard hire.
- Byron Bay Hotel and Apartments offers comfortable, affordable accommodation with private kitchen and laundry facilities. There’s a restaurant on-site if you don’t feel like cooking, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and free undercover parking.
Johnson Street for Nightlife
Highlights: Pubs, clubs, international restaurants
Johnson Street lies adjacent to Fletcher Street and shares a similar bustling atmosphere. You’ll discover some excellent restaurants here with both Australian and international cuisines represented. Plus, there are fantastic bars to discover. If you’re looking to socialize and meet new people, Johnson Street makes a great base because it’s always busy.
Drop into The Northern for live music and a friendly atmosphere, or go for cocktails at Loft for a more sophisticated night on the town.
Where to Stay on Johnson Street
The Lord Byron is our top choice on Johnson Street. It’s a modern boutique hotel with a swimming pool, a spa, a BBQ area, and tennis courts onsite. It offers free bicycle and surfboard hire and has a variety of rooms and apartments to choose from.
Clarkes Beach for Indulgent Beach Breaks
Highlights: Cape Byron Lighthouse, Cape Byron Conservation Area, Wategos Beach
Although central Byron Bay is full of life, it can feel too busy for those looking for a quiet beach break. Clarkes Beach is a little way out of the town center so it doesn’t get as crowded. Plus, its waves are fairly gentle which means the waters are less likely to be packed with surfers.
Accommodation here is primarily luxurious resorts, so if you want an opulent beach vacation, this is where to do it. You’ll have the benefit of being close to Cape Byron State Conservation Area where there are pretty walking tracks and scenic lookouts.
Where to Stay in Clarkes Beach
Here are some of the best lodging options near Clarkes Beach:
- Raes on Wategos is a luxurious boutique hotel with just five suites and two penthouses that offer a slice of seclusion close to Cape Byron Lighthouse. Guests can enjoy four-poster beds, a Moroccan bathhouse, and gourmet Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in the dining room.
- Reflection Holiday Parks is a beachside resort with a range of cabins and villas to choose from — all of which are equipped with kitchens, lounges, and flat-screen TVs. This is the ideal spot for families and groups who want easy beach access.
- Cape Beach House is a small, family-run bed and breakfast so you can expect a warm welcome and friendly service. The modern rooms have deluxe furnishings and bedcovers, and there’s an onsite pool and sundeck to enjoy.
Sunrise for Local Life
Highlights: Peaceful atmosphere, Cumbebin Swamp Nature Reserve
Sunrise is a residential area that lies west of Byran Bay’s town center and is a great area to stay in if you want a relaxing taste of local life. Although the town center is within walking distance, it takes a good 30 minutes or more on foot. Instead, consider renting a bike to get around. Restaurant and bar options here are limited, but the upside to this is that the area is very peaceful at night.
Where to Stay in Sunrise
Our top choice in Sunrise is a chic hotel called Elements of Byron.
Elements of Byron is an upscale hotel with a swimming pool, a hot tub, a private beach, and a spa. It offers total convenience with its concierge service, and modern amenities for a relaxing stay.
Belongil for Chilled Beach Life
Highlights: Dog-friendly beach, The Wreck
Belongil Beach lies directly west of Main Beach, and it’s a long and tranquil stretch of coastline that can experience some rough waters. For this reason, it tends not to get as busy with sunbathers and swimmers as Main Beach, but it is beloved by experienced surfers. A highlight for surfers is The Wreck which is the remains of a century-old shipwreck that generates fun waves.
Belongil is a dog-friendly beach, so consider staying in this area if you’ll be bringing your pooch on vacation with you. The northernmost end of Belongil Beach is unofficially a clothing-optional area, so keep this in mind if you’ll be visiting with kids.
Where to Stay in Belongil
Wake Up! is a popular hostel with vibrant decor and spacious dorms and communal areas. It has a mix of private rooms and dorms available and offers lots of free amenities including WiFi, surfboard rentals, and yoga classes.
If you’re looking for a great place to stay and make friends in Sunrise, Wake Up! has got to be it.
Lili Pilli for Families
Highlights: Tallow Beach, Arakwal National Park
Lili Pilli Drive and the roads surrounding it form a quaint neighborhood two miles south of Byron Bay town center. It is surrounded by natural scenery and lies close to Tallow Beach which is a long stretch of golden sand perfect for sunbathing.
Waves here can get very big which makes swimming risky but if you’re an experienced surfer you’re bound to have fun. Lili Pilli also offers easy access to Arakwal National Park which is a great spot for birdwatching.
Where to Stay in Lili Pilli
Crystalbrook Byron is set within 45 acres of beautiful subtropical rainforest so it’s the perfect place to find peace and tranquility. Guests can hear soothing rainforest sounds from their serene suites and have access to complimentary morning yoga practices.
Skinners Shoot for Access to Nature
Highlights: Secluded accommodation
Skinners Shoot is a quiet, rural area dotted with vacation resorts and residential properties. It’s incredibly quiet and can offer a true sense of escape, but you’ll definitely need a car or bicycle to get around. There’s a mix of hotels, hostels, campsites, and guesthouses in the area with options to suit a range of budgets.
Where to Stay in Skinners Shoot
Arts Factory Lodge is a quirky backpacking hostel that was originally established by hippies in the 1970s and quickly became known as the birthplace of the relaxed rock and roll spirit that Byron Bay is known for. It’s seriously an epic place to stay.
It has a pool, relaxing communal areas, and table tennis and volleyball facilities, and it offers fun workshops like bush tucker tours and didgeridoo-making.
Ballina for Tranquility
Highlights: Ballina Nature Reserve, waterside parks, hinterland
Ballina is a coastal town some 20 miles south of Byron Bay and is a great alternative for those looking for a tranquil beach vacation. While Byron Bay has its lively surf culture, Ballina is known for its stunning natural beauty. Drive through the area’s pretty hinterland, look out for wildlife in Ballina Nature Reserve, and admire Richmond River at one of its many waterside parks.
There’s a wide variety of hotels, resorts, and guesthouses to choose from in Ballina and many of them are a little cheaper than those in Byron Bay.
Bangalow for Hinterland Charm
Highlights: Bangalow Heritage House
Bangalow is around eight miles inland from Byron Bay and has an old-world charm thanks to its position in the hinterlands. It’s surrounded by rolling hills and pretty countryside, with Byron Beck winding just below it. There’s also a small museum, Bangalow Heritage House, where you can learn about the history of the local area.
Accommodation is limited to quaint guesthouses and cottage rentals, although there are some larger resorts in the surrounding countryside.
Ewingsdale for the Best of Both Worlds
Highlights: Ewingsdale Hall, Fig Tree Restaurant
Ewingsdale is an idyllic residential area three miles west of Byron Bay, and it provides the best of both worlds if you’re looking for both tranquility and convenient amenities. It’s smaller and quieter than Byron Bay but less isolated than the likes of Skinners Shoot. It also has some very good restaurants, such as the award-winning Fig Tree which is named after the beautiful ancient fig trees that thrive in this area.
Where to Stay in Ewingsdale
Looking for somewhere luxurious? Victoria’s at Ewingsdale is an opulent five-star hotel set within four acres of stunning gardens and with fantastic panoramic views of the ocean, mountains, and countryside. Rooms have private balconies or courtyards, there’s a saltwater swimming pool to enjoy in warm weather, and an open log fireplace to create a cozy atmosphere in the lounge during winter months.
Choose Your Home Away From Home in Byron Bay
Byron Bay is a beautiful beach town with a good variety of lodging options on offer. Now you’re clued up on the town’s most popular neighborhoods, you can choose your ideal accommodation and start planning a relaxing vacation in this sunny corner of New South Wales.
