How do I get to Byron Bay?
Fly to Ballina or Gold Coast, or take the bus from Brisbane. Byron has no airport of its own — Ballina is about 30 minutes away and the Gold Coast about 90. On the east coast run it is a standard stop between Sydney and Brisbane, with the bus passes booked for you.
Checked on 6 October 2026.
Byron Bay is the easternmost point of mainland Australia, on the coast between Brisbane and Sydney. It has no airport and no train, so everyone arrives by road — the only question is from where.
The ways in
- Ballina Byron Gateway Airportabout 30 minutes south, with flights from Sydney and Melbourne. The closest option.
- Gold Coast Airport (Coolangatta)about 90 minutes north, with more flights and usually cheaper fares.
- Brisbaneabout two and a half hours north by road, and the biggest airport of the three.
- By bus on the east coast runwhich is how most backpackers arrive. Byron is a standard overnight stop between Sydney and Brisbane.
Packages based in Byron
If you are staying rather than passing through, these packages run out of Byron itself and bundle the activities with the accommodation.
| Trip | Length | Based | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Day Byron Bay Nature Package | 3 days, 2 nights | Byron Bay / Byron Bay | $369 |
| 4 Day Byron Bay Budget Package | 4 days, 3 nights | Byron Bay / Byron Bay | $459 |
| 5 Day Byron Bay Ultimate Package | 5 days, 5 nights | Byron Bay / Byron Bay | $699 |
Byron on the east coast run
The trips that start in Sydney take in Byron on the way north — it is usually two nights, with surfing. The bus passes between towns are booked before you travel.
| Trip | Length | Route | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Days Sydney to Cairns Budget | 14 days, 13 nights | Sydney / Cairns | $1999 |
| 17 Days Sydney to Cairns Adventure | 17 days, 17 nights | Sydney / Cairns | $2799 |
| 21 Days Sydney to Cairns Adventure | 21 days, 20 nights | Sydney / Cairns | $3249 |
Worth knowing
- Whales pass between June and Octoberand Cape Byron is one of the best land-based viewing points in the country.
- It gets very busyover Christmas and Easter, and accommodation prices follow.
- The walk to the lighthousefrom town takes about an hour and is free, and it is the thing everyone remembers.
The trips
3 Day Byron Bay Nature Packagefrom $3693 days, 2 nightsArts Factory LodgeView trip
4 Day Byron Bay Budget Packagefrom $4594 days, 3 nightsArts Factory LodgeView trip
14 Days Sydney to Cairns Budgetfrom $199914 days, 13 nightsHostel, Boat, CampingView trip
17 Days Sydney to Cairns Adventurefrom $279917 days, 17 nightsHostel, Boat, CampingView tripPeople also ask
- What is the best way to travel the east coast of Australia?
- East coast Australia itinerary — 7, 10, 14 and 21 days
- When is the best time to visit Brisbane, Byron Bay and K'gari?
- Is Brisbane worth visiting?
Where this comes from. Each trip's own route and inclusions sheet, as held on its page here. Prices are the current from price and update on their own.