Where to Stay in Byron Bay: Best Areas Guide

This blog post is all about the different areas to stay in Byron Bay, from right in the middle of town to Wategos, North Byron, and further out into Mullumbimby, Bangalow and the Byron Bay hinterland.

I recently visited Byron Bay for the first time, and as soon as I stepped off the plane and into the tiny Ballina Airport, I was already convinced that I was going to really love it here.

After five days and staying both in Byron Bay town and Byron Bay hinterlands, I can definitely see why location really matters when planning your trip to Byron Bay.

Especially if this is your first trip to Byron Bay, I’ll explain each area around Byron Bay and why you might want to stay in each, depending on the kind of trip you’re planning.

This guide to Where to Stay in Byron Bay should help you identify the perfect location for your visit to Byron Bay, and I’ve included some accommodation suggestions in each area too.

RELATED Where to Stay in Byron Bay blog posts to read:

• The Perfect Weekend in Byron Bay Itinerary
• Luxury Hostel Review: Drifter Byron Bay, Australia
• Tallaringa Views Review: Romantic Cabin in Byron Bay Hinterlands
• The Best Luxury Hotels in Byron Bay Worth the Money

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Where to Stay in Byron Bay: Location Matters

Whenever I’m travelling anywhere, and especially somewhere for a short trip like a weekend, location is one of the first things I think about, arguably before price and before how nice the place actually looks in photos. 

If you’re only visiting somewhere like Byron Bay for two nights, being in the centre of everything is always one of my top priorities when choosing accommodation. 

Every extra ten minutes of driving, commuting or walking adds up fast when your whole trip is only 48 hours long.

With that said, you genuinely don’t need to stay right in the centre of Byron Bay to have a great time. 

Some of the best stays in the whole region are a bit further out, and depending on what you’re after, further out might actually be the better call.

So here’s how the different areas around Byron Bay actually compare, so you can decide what matters most for your specific trip.

RELATED Where to Stay in Byron Bay blog post to read: The Perfect Weekend in Byron Bay Itinerary

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The Best Areas to Stay in Byron Bay

These are the areas closest to the centre of Byron Bay (including Byron Bay town itself, of course) if you’re planning on not hiring a car, or have a very short time to visit and want to spend as much of you’re time in Byron Bay itself.

For the first three days of my own trip to Byron Bay, we stayed directly in Byron Bay town centre and it was the perfect base to explore the town with everything only a few minutes’ walk away from our accommodation.

Byron Bay Town Centre

This is the beating heart of Byron Bay, and if it’s your first time visiting or you’re only here for a short stay, it’s very hard to beat. 

Jonson Street, the beach, restaurants, bars and boutiques are all within a few minutes’ walk, which means you can leave the car behind entirely for your whole stay.

In peak season especially, not having to think about parking or driving anywhere is honestly liberating.

We stayed at Drifter Byron Bay, just a five-minute walk from Main Beach, and the location alone made it one of our favourite bases in town.

Being able to walk out the door and be at the beach, or at dinner, or wandering the shops within minutes, completely changes the pace of a short trip. You’re not losing chunks of your day to travel time, you’re just living in it.

The trade off with staying centrally is that it’s usually the most expensive pocket of town, and during school holidays or festival weekends it’s buzzing with energy, which is wonderful if that’s your speed but can be a little much if you’re after something quieter. 

If you want the classic Byron Bay experience with everything on your doorstep, this is the area to book.

Budget accommodation in Byron Bay town centre: Drifter Byron Bay (where I stayed)
Mid-range accommodation in Byron Bay town centre: Waves Byron Bay
Luxury accommodation in Byron Bay town centre: 28 Degrees Byron Bay (adults only)

RELATED Where to Stay in Byron Bay blog post to read: Luxury Hostel Review: Drifter Byron Bay, Australia

Wategos Beach

Just a short drive or a longer walk from the town centre, Wategos is Byron’s most exclusive pocket, tucked right below the lighthouse with sweeping views and some of the calmest, most beautiful water in the whole region.

This is where Raes on Wategos sits, one of the most famous hotel addresses in the country, and staying in this area gives you a completely different pace to the town centre, quieter, more private, and genuinely special.

The trade off is that you’re a little removed from the main restaurants and shops, so you’ll either want a car or be happy with the occasional taxi or Uber into town for dinner. 

If a quiet, beautiful, slightly removed base is what you’re after, and you don’t mind paying for it, Wategos is worth every bit of the premium.

It’s definitely somewhere on my Hotels in Australia Bucket List! And if you’re looking for a Byron Bay beachfront hotel, Raes on Wategos is the one.

Luxury accommodation near Wategos Beach: Raes on Wategos

RELATED Where to Stay in Byron Bay blog post to read: The Best Luxury Hotels in Byron Bay Worth the Money

North Byron and Belongil

Just west of the town centre, Belongil and the North Byron area are Byron’s more bohemian, slightly quieter sibling to the main strip.

Belongil Beach here is dog friendly in parts, the cafes are excellent, and you’re still only around a ten minute walk, or a few minutes on a bike, back into Byron Bay town.

This is where Swell Hotel sits, and it’s a good example of what this area offers: still close enough to walk in for dinner, but far enough removed that it feels like your own little pocket of the coast rather than being in the middle of the action.

Elements of Byron also sits in this part of town, right on Belongil Beach, and gives you the best of both worlds.

You’ll get a resort experience with direct beach access, while still being a short trip from everything in the centre. Perfect if you’re looking for Byron Bay accommodation on the beach.

If you want a slightly quieter base without giving up easy access to town, this area is a smart middle ground between the town centre and somewhere fully removed like Wategos or the hinterland.

Budget accommodation in North Byron and Belongil: Wake Up! Byron Bay
Mid-range accommodation in North Byron and Belongil: Bluewater on the Beach
Luxury accommodation in North Byron and Belongil: Elements of Byron Bay or Swell Hotel

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Where to Stay Outside of Byron Bay

If you’re staying in Byron Bay for longer than a couple of nights, or you’ve already been to Byron Bay before on a previous trip, basing yourself further out is absolutely worth considering.

And in some cases, it might end up being the best part of your whole stay.

Bangalow 

The town of Bangalow is a 15 minute drive from Byron, has heritage charm and some of the best food in the entire region.

I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it, WOODS Bangalow and Bangalow Bread Co. alone are worth basing yourself nearby for.

Honestly, as soon as we visited Bangalow and WOODS for breakfast, I instantly wanted to move to Bangalow and knew the next time I come back to Byron, that this is where I’ll be basing myself.

It’s a smaller, quieter town with genuine character, and staying here gives you an easy base to explore both Byron Bay and the surrounding hinterland.

Mid-range accommodation in Bangalow: 99 Acres Bangalow Retreat

RELATED Where to Stay in Byron Bay blog post to read: The Best Brunch and Breakfast Spots in Byron Bay

Mullumbimby

Around 20 minutes from Byron, Mullumbimby is the alternative culture hub of the region, and it’s also home to The Banya, a bathhouse worth a visit whether or not you’re staying nearby.

Basing yourself in Mullumbimby suits anyone who wants a genuinely local, less touristy feel to their trip, with Byron itself still just a short drive away whenever you want the beach.

Budget accommodation in Mullumbimby: The Middle Pub
Mid-range accommodation in Mullumbimby: The Mullum Motel

Byron Bay Hinterland

The Byron Bay hinterland is where things get very different. This is where you’ll find places like Sun Ranch and Tallaringa Views.

The kind of stays built around switching off completely rather than being close to anything. 

If total peace and quiet, roaring fires, jacuzzis and zero notifications sound appealing, even for just a couple of nights added onto a stay in town (like my trip), the hinterland is genuinely one of the best decisions you can make on a Byron Bay trip.

The thing to know about all three of these areas is that you will need a car.

None of these stays are walkable to Byron itself, and public transport options are extremely limited (if not non-existent), so factor that into your planning from the start rather than realising it once you’ve already booked.

Budget accommodation in Byron Bay Hinterland: Hinterlands Dreaming Woods Cabins
Mid-range accommodation in Byron Bay Hinterland: Cape Byron Hotel Retreat (adults only)
Luxury accommodation in Byron Bay Hinterland: Tallaringa Views (where I stayed) and Sun Ranch

RELATED Where to Stay in Byron Bay blog post to read: Tallaringa Views Review: Romantic Cabin in Byron Bay Hinterlands

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Do You Need A Car When Visiting Byron Bay?

If you’re staying in the town centre for a short trip and don’t plan on venturing much further than Byron Bay itself, you can genuinely get by without hiring a car. 

Everything is walkable, and taxis or Ubers can cover the occasional trip to Wategos or back from a big night out.

The moment you want to explore Bangalow, Mullumbimby, the hinterland, or even just get out to Minyon Falls or Nimbin for a day, a hire car becomes essential rather than optional. 

We always sort our rental cars through DiscoverCars before we land. It’s simple to book and means one less thing to sort once you’re actually on holiday. 

If you’re staying anywhere outside the Byron Bay town centre itself, book a car as part of your accommodation planning, not as an afterthought.

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FAQs for Where to Stay in Byron Bay

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My Recommendation for Where to Stay in Byron Bay

For a short trip, especially if it’s your first time in Byron, stay in the town centre. The convenience genuinely outweighs everything else when your time is limited. 

If you’ve got a bit longer, or you’ve been to Byron Bay before and want something quieter, split your stay like I did.

A couple of nights centrally, then a couple of nights out in Wategos for the view, or the hinterland for a proper switch off. That combination gives you the best of every version of this trip.

Whatever you decide, check my best luxury hotels in Byron Bay and boutique hotels in Byron Bay guides for specific recommendations in each of these areas, my best restaurants in Byron Bay post for where to eat wherever you end up, and my best things to do in Byron Bay guide for how to fill your days.

RELATED Where to Stay in Byron Bay Byron Bay blog posts to read:

• The Best Things to Do in Byron Bay for First-Time Visitors
• The Best Restaurants in Byron Bay You Have to Try
• Coffee Shops to Work From in Byron Bay

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