The beautiful Byron Bay of northern NSW is located around 95km south of the Surfers Paradise and about 67 km south of the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta. How to get there? Easy, here are the options
1. Greyhound Bus
The Greyhound bus departs from the Southport Transit Centre, to the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre, then a stop in Bilinga opposite the airport before heading to Byron Bay Interchange, Bay C, 51-57 Butler St, Byron Bay. There are usually at least 2 services daily.
Travel Time: is around 90-160 minutes Cost: from around $25-53 depending on how far in advance you book. Visit: Greyhound Australia
2. Shared Shuttle – Byron Bay Express
The folks at Byron Bay Express run a daily express shuttle bus between Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta, and Byron Bay. They depart from the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre and can also pick you up from a pre-arranged point along the highway.
Travel Time: is around 50-75 minutes Cost: starts from $40 per person one way. Visit: Byron Bay Express
3. Taxi
13 Cabs offer fixed price quotes for long-distance fares like these and you can easily get a quote and book with them online.
Travel Time: is around 50-75 minutes Cost: from around $248 for a four-passenger vehicle. Visit: 13 Cabs
4. Limousine
Limousine companies on the Gold Coast (including us!) offer luxury late-model sedans, passenger vans, and of course, luxury stretch limousines. Sedans can seat four passengers while stretch limos can carry up to 11 passengers. Our vans can carry 13 people while small and large buses can carry 21-50 people if you have a larger group.
Total Time: around 50 mins from the airport or 75 mins from Surfers Paradise Cost: from $183 and up
For a quote see: My Gold Coast Limo
The Journey
Gold Coast to Byron Bay Map
As noted, Byron Bay is around 95km south of the Surfers Paradise and about 67 km south of the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta. The route follows the Gold Coast Highway as it becomes the Pacific Motorway or M1, heading down into northern NSW. It is actually a very pleasant and easy-going drive.
You may also like to take an alternate route that follows the coastline and the beautiful small seaside villages of Kingscliff, Casuarina, and Pottsville, noting it is a bit longer and a little more expensive but certainly quite enjoyable.
This beautiful little scenic coastal road also raises a 5th option of a rental car, whilst we’d love to have your company in our limousines, we can’t deny anyone the joy of experiencing this area in full if it’s an option that fits their schedule.
5. Rental Car
As noted, the coastline, especially in northern NSW is quite a beautiful coastal drive. There are many rental car options on the Gold Coast, I can’t recommend one over the other. If you are arriving at the Gold Coast Airport, from what I have seen it’s usually cheaper to book online in advance, companies there include Budget, Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, and Enterprise.
Travel Time: is up to you, take your time and enjoy Cost: from around $100 and up per day.
Things to do in Byron Bay
I’m sure you already know that Byron Bay is a stunning coastal town, endowed with beautiful beaches, a laidback vibe, and a host of natural wonder. But, if you are visiting for the first time, here are some things you shouldn’t miss:
- Visiting the Cape Byron Lighthouse: Situated at the easternmost point of mainland Australia, the Cape Byron Lighthouse offers breathtaking views of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean.
- The Beaches: including Main Beach, Clarkes Beach, and Wategos Beach. These beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and beach walks but do get up to speed on beach safety here.
- The Byron Bay Markets, held on the first Sunday of every month, offers a vibrant array of local arts, crafts, clothing, and delicious street food.
- Whale Watching: From May to November, Byron Bay is a prime spot for whale watching. See Blue Bay Whale Watching, Wild Byron, or Out of the Blue Adventures.
- Embark on the scenic Minyon Falls Walking Track, which leads to the beautiful Minyon Falls, a stunning waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest. Keep in mind it’s a 45-minute drive inland from Byron Bay, but you are not likely to regret it.
- If you head to Minyon Falls also include The Crystal Castle, which is a unique attraction featuring a beautiful collection of crystals, gemstones, and sculptures, along with peaceful gardens and a Shambhala Peace Garden.
- Water Sports: such as surfing lessons, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling.
- Indulge in the Local Food Scene: Byron Bay is renowned for its vibrant food scene, with numerous cafés, restaurants, and bars serving delicious local produce, and fresh seafood.
- Festivals and Events: Throughout the year, Byron Bay hosts various festivals and events, such as the Byron Bay Bluesfest, Splendour in the Grass, and the Byron Bay Writers Festival.
Footnotes
*prices collated March 2024 via the respective websites. Please check with the service provider directly for the latest rates and offers.