There’s something so insanely magical about Byron Bay, but there’s no denying it: the place ain’t cheap. Between skyrocketing house prices and its slight reputation for being an extension of the North Bondi scene, it’s starting to feel like this lil’ Aussie paradise has to be your blowout holiday, rather than a mid-year relaxation bolt.
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The extremely good news is, it doesn’t have to be pricey. In partnership with the newly revamped Byron Bay YHA, P.TV has put together your guide for doing Byron on a budget.
GETTING THERE.
If you’ve been a regular P.TV reader, you’ll know that we lurve nothing more than a cheap flights yarn. Jetstar regularly dole out the cheap Byron flights, as do Tiger, you just gotta keep an eye out for those bad boys. Alternatively, get a few mates together and split the cost of petrol (always a surefire winner).
EATING & DRINKING
Australia might be turning Byron into a luxe holiday destination, but it’s still a major stop on the backpacking tour, so that means businesses are still aiming for that tight backpacker budget.
Obviously, there’s a Woolies in town where you can create a bang-up cheese platter for far less money than one at the restaurant (and if you’ve got a pool to consume it by, even better). And wrangling mates together to cook a cheap meal or throw on a BBQ will absolutely keep costs down.
Elsewhere, there’s plenty of cheap eats like the $12 meals at Success Thai, $9.50 burgers at Beloportos, and ridiculously cheap drinks (and good times) at Cheeky Monkeys. If you’re feeling somewhere a bit fancier, the recently opened Light Years serves up some phenomenally good south east Asian grub, while the Bolt Hole has a whiskey list that goes on for days. You gotta treat yourself sometimes, you know?
THINGS TO DO
You’re obviously heading to Byron to hang at the beach, right? Main Beach is 1000 percent worth a visit or three, but there’s plenty of others to get off the beaten track. Wategos Beach near the lighthouse is picturesque and perfect, while Whites Beach a few kilometres south of town has the double-edged sword of being “Byron’s worst-kept secret”. TBH, you can see why:
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So apart from that basic suggestion – the BEACH! How ORIGINAL! – there’s also bunches of good ol’ fashioned hikes, from the popular Lighthouse walk to the waterfalls in Nightcap National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforest. Depending on the time of year, dolphins and whales can be spotted from a bunch of coastal hot spots.
If you want to see some of Byron’s renowned marine life (we’re talking turtles, leopard sharks, and if you’re lucky, a manta ray) but don’t want to splurge on scuba diving, then this writer can personally confirm you can see plenty from the surface on a snorkel trip. The marine sanctuary right in front of Byron offers some pristine snorkeling conditions.
More down to chill? The Byron markets are on every Sunday, a drum circle springs up on Main Beach at sunset, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a bar, pub or street corner without some live music situation going on.
And as for getting around, Byron is basically the ideal place to hire a bicycle and fully embrace the beachside vibes.
STAY
Obviously as we brought you this Byron travel guide we’d be talking about the freshly renovated Byron Bay YHA, right? Luckily for you (and the writer who stayed there), this is hardy your hostel of time’s gone by. The new digs centre around a lush pool complete with beanbags and hammocks (for maximum chilling), while the rooms are clean, comfortable, and – most importantly – come with aircon.
If you truly want that luxe for less experience, we’d highly recommend getting a private room (and still far cheaper than a hotel if there’s two of you). You get your own ensuite, closet, and still have a bunch of new friends waiting just outside your ~personal space~ if you’re down for a beer or BBQ.
But for the cheapskates among us – and that’s literally all of us, or you’re lying – may I say some words to you: $5 bicycle hire. $1 sangas. Free Netflix. Somedays you just need to chill by the huge TV screen and shell over a single gold coin for the sausages a staff member is BBQ-ing. Ever heard of a little place called Bunning’s? These sausages are cheaper.
MY FINAL TIP: This is not a ‘cheap’ tip, okay? Know that going in. In fact, this is a ‘bougie as hell, treat yo’self’ kinda tip. Right around the corner from the hostel is a place called Bayleaf Cafe, and their coconut cold drop coffee is to freakin’ die for. Best $8 coffee you’ll ever get.
If you’re looking to book the Byron Bay YHA for your next big Aussie trip, then you can get 20% off with the promo code: HELLOBYRON. Valid till Friday 9 November, and some block-out dates apply.
