A surfer bum’s paradise, Byron Bay might be the most frequently recommended town in all of Australia. We can see why, with the towns easy-going demeanor and large number of backpackers. During the day, grab your surfboard and try your luck conquering the waves. The Wreck is a favorite spot, while the Main Beach is perfect for beginners. The Pass is considered the best surfing in Byron Bay, but make sure to practice proper etiquette to avoid angering the locals! If surfing is not your style, grab a snorkel and go explore the wonders of the bay or just relax on the beach -- if there is one place to spend all day at the beach, its definitely Byron Bay. After a day int the sun, check out the many cafes or just lounge around at your hostel before you hit the town. Relaxation is key in Byron so don't feel rushed to do anything. This is also the last stop on the East Coast Trip before heading down to big-city Sydney.
Backpackers will typically be hounded by the various travel agencies that litter the main street, but it is worth suffering through a five minute sales pitch as they will usually hand out drink or meal coupons. The big one is a weekly card to “Cheeky Monkeys”, a backpacker restaurant/bar, that offers you a free dinner six days of the week. While the meal is small (a snack size bowl of chicken or veggie curry), the card is also good for 50% off any meal on their menu and a free drink. The menu is already cheap on its own and the card is good for picking up a AUD $10 steak and a beer before you go out. The cards also gain you free entry into Cheeky Monkeys (though it is basically free every night). Also, be sure to head to Woody's Wednesday nights and stock up on drink tickets. At the end of the night, the bar gives away a surfboard to a randomly selected ticket holder. Cheeky Monkeys and Woody's were easily our favorite nighttime spots.
Where to stay
The Permanent Holiday boys had fantastic hostel experiences in Byron. Holiday Village Backpackers, our favorite one, is affordable and has a fantastic social scene. The hostel's common area is open area, which basically forces everyone to sit at the picnic tables when eating/pregaming/hanging out. Additionally, they have a AUD $10 all-you-can-eat BBQ twice a week that is well worth the money. This makes it incredibly easy to make friends and supports a healthy hostel environment. However, the main sell of Holiday Village is their surfboard rental. For only a AUD $50 deposit (that you will get back upon return), you get up to three hours with the surfboard. Nomads is another perfectly fine hostel with an incredible social scene and a free, light breakfast in the morning. They also have a surfboard hire, but it will cost you a little bit of money.
what to do
We recommend the Lighthouse Walk, especially for sunrise or sunset. One of the most popular tourist attractions of Byron, the walk offers a fantastic view of the bay and Byron, while also landing you on the most easterly point of Australia. A quiet walk, it is a great way to clear your head and get some physical activity in. Also, being the legendary surf town that it is, Byron is the ideal place to take surf lessons. The bay's structure is perfect for beginners, as the waves are quite small and gentle. If you want a dose of hippy fun, take the short bus ride to wacky Nimbin, Australia's counter-culture hotspot.