The Best Hostels in Byron Bay in 2024
Cheer up, slow down, and chill out at one of Byron Bay’s top hostels.
Byron Bay is a crowd-favourite on the East Coast Australia backpacker trail. Its epic beaches, long days of sunshine, and barefoot surf lifestyle make it a great place to chill out for a few days, but be warned, a few days can quickly turn into a few months – it’s very easy to get stuck here!
The hostel scene in Byron has changed a lot over the last few years with some sadly not making it through the pandemic. To help, we’ve rounded up the best hostels in Byron Bay in 2024 depending on the vibe you’re after and your budget.
So whether you want a super social party place or a more relaxed space to chill, flashpacker style or a budget bed, these are the hostels that deliver a great experience, time after time.
The best hostels in Byron Bay at a glance
We decided not to name a ‘best overall’ hostel, as it really depends on what you want out of your experience. So for a quick guide to the best hostels in Byron Bay for your travel style, this list will steer you in the right direction:
- Best party hostel in Byron Bay – Arts Factory Lodge
- Best chilled hostels in Byron Bay – Wake Up! Byron Bay and Byron Bay YHA
- Best Byron Bay hostel for solo travellers – Aquarius Backpackers
- Best hostels for couples in Byron Bay – The Surf House and Wake Up! Byron Bay
- Best Byron hostel for flashpackers – Byron Bay YHA
- Best hostels in Byron for older travellers – Byron Bay YHA and Cape Byron YHA
- Cheapest Byron Bay hostels – Backpackers Inn on the Beach and Arts Factory Lodge
- Byron hostels closest to the beach – Wake Up! Byron Bay and Backpackers Inn on the Beach
Wake Up! Byron Bay
Best for chilled vibes close to the beach
Wake Up! Byron Bay is just a two-minute walk from Belongil Beach, one of Byron Bay’s least crowded beaches. You can spend days here just chilling in the sun and playing games on the beach, or if you want to get really into Byron life, the hostel offers free surfboard hire, yoga sessions, and fitness classes.
The hostel is about a 20-minute walk from the centre of Byron, but there’s a free shuttle bus to make things easier. You can also hire one of Wake Up!’s iconic turquoise bikes and make a day of it.
Wake Up! has recently been refurbished with a minimalist aesthetic that’s clean and easy on the eye. Rooms range from air-conditioned female and mixed dorms to private rooms to cottages that sleep six people. You’ll also find a good shared kitchen and several communal spaces to meet people and hang out, and by the end of the year, they’ll have a brand-new swimming pool!
Highlights
- Super close to the beach
- Clean and modern
- Free surfboard hire and yoga classes
- Free WiFi in all rooms
- Pool
Typical price per night: From AU$42 (low season), AU$69 (high season)
Aquarius Backpackers
Best for solo travellers and social vibes
Two blocks back from Main Beach and within easy walking distance of many of Byron’s bars, restaurants, and shops, Aquarius Backpackers ticks a lot of boxes. The atmosphere is social and friendly, and with the nightly free meals and Sunday afternoon barbeque by the pool, you’ll have loads of opportunities to meet other people.
Drinks at the poolside bar are cheaper than most places in town and give you another chance to socialise. Next door, The Rocks, which is one of Byron’s best cafés, is a great place to grab breakfast and a good coffee.
Beyond making friends and saving money, Aquarius is a great place to have fun. Whether it’s organised beach trips, trivia nights, or jelly wrestling, you’ll find heaps of ways to make the most of your travels as you pass through Byron Bay.
Highlights:
- Great location
- Free WiFi in communal areas
- Free dinners and Sunday BBQ
- On-site pool and bar
Typical price per night: From AU$40 (low season), AU$67 (high season)
The Surf House (formerly Byron Bay Beach Hostel)
Best for couples and a central Byron location
Sitting right in the centre of town, The Surf House is located in a primo spot, whether you want to check out Byron’s nightlife, get some retail therapy, or hit the beach. With all the perks of a recent refurb, the hostel is bright, modern, and beautifully furnished.
Rooms are air-conditioned, clean, and comfortable and range from 8-bed dorms to private queen rooms with a balcony. The good standard and affordable price point also make the Surf House a great option for budget accommodation in Bryon Bay, so there’s usually a nice mix of travellers and people on holiday.
The hostel has a cool rooftop bar that does drinks and snacks, and you can also make your own meals in the large communal kitchen and dining area. If surfing in Byron Bay is on your bucket list, the free surfboard hire will save you enough to buy a decent dinner in town.
Highlights:
- Central location
- Rooftop bar
- Free WiFi in all rooms
- Great kitchen facilities
Typical price per night: From AU$43 (low season), AU$71 (high season)
Byron Bay YHA
Best for flashpackers and chilled vibes
Byron Bay YHA is the place to head if you’re looking for a more chilled hostel experience. It’s less social than other hostels in town but is great for older travellers and people who don’t want a party vibe.
The large kitchen is like something from a Bake Off TV show, so you won’t feel crowded making your dinner, and the on-site pool and spacious common areas are perfect for relaxing. When you’re ready to explore, Byron Bay’s best bars, restaurants, and shops are all within walking distance, plus there’s a Woolies almost on your doorstep.
The hostel offers a range of private and dorm options with the option to upgrade to ensuites and crisp a/c for those hot Aussie days. Many also have nice touches like lockers with USB charging ports inside, so you can charge your gadgets without the worry of them going walkabout.
Highlights:
- On-site pool
- Large shared spaces
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour security
Typical price per night: From $39 (low season), AU$89 (high season)
Cape Byron YHA
Best for the best of both worlds
Cape Byron YHA is a down-to-earth hostel that sits in the sweet spot between lively and laid-back, with a social atmosphere in the day and quiet evenings. The location is great – it’s just one block back from Main Beach, and it’s within easy walking distance of the shops, bars, and cafés in the centre of town.
The spacious pool area is great for chilling and meeting people and the hostel runs a weekly program of events like yoga sessions, fitness classes, and lighthouse walking tours, some free, some paid.
Highlights:
- On-site pool
- Regular events
- Free WiFi
Typical price per night: From AU$35 (low season), AU$85 (high season)
Backpackers Inn on the Beach
Best for beach access on a budget
You might have guessed it from the name, but Backpackers Inn on the Beach gives you direct access to the soft sand of The Wreck Beach, which is just a short walk away through the dunes. If getting sandy isn’t your vibe, you can also get your dose of vitamin D in the pool and surrounding gardens.
The hostel is relatively basic but has a spacious communal kitchen and common area with table tennis, which, along with the pool area, are great places to socialise. The hostel is situated on the main road into Byron Bay, about a five-minute stroll from the centre of town.
Highlights:
- On-site pool
- Large backyard with volleyball court
- Beachside location
- Hammocks to relax in
Typical price per night: From AU$32 (low season), AU$34 (high season)
Arts Factory Lodge
Best for party vibes on a budget
The best way to describe the Arts Factory is that it’s like Vegemite – you either love it or hate it. If you’re looking for a place to party and don’t have super high standards, you’ll have a great time here. It’s one of the most social Byron Bay hostels with a cool, hippy feel, and it has a great pool area, plus a packed schedule of activities like yoga, a weekly trivia night and talent show, and didgeridoo workshops. It’s also where Jay, Neil, Simon, and Will stayed in the Inbetweeners 2 movie.
The flip side is that the hostel is quite dated, it’s not known for being the cleanest, and it’s about a 15-minute walk into town and a 20-minute walk to the beach. But if you can get over that, it’s one of the cheapest backpackers in Byron Bay.
Highlights:
- Packed schedule of activities
- On-site pool
- Surrounded by nature
Typical price per night: From AU$32 (low season), AU$52 (high season)
Tips for getting into the best hostels in Byron Bay
As a few of the hostels in Byron Bay recently closed down, there are fewer dorm beds available in town than before, and over peak periods, it’s not unusual for everywhere in town to get fully booked. Here are a few pro tips to make sure you can book the best Byron Bay hostel for your budget and travel style:
- It sounds obvious, but book as far in advance as possible, especially if you’re travelling over high season (September to March) and busy periods like Christmas and New Year, Easter, and Schoolies. This is one part of your trip where you’ll be glad you didn’t wing it.
- Some hostels in Byron Bay have minimum stay restrictions of up to seven nights during busy periods, so you may need to plan a longer stop in Byron to get your first choice of hostel.
- If you can, plan your trip to avoid being in Byron during events like Bluesfest and Schoolies – the best hostels in Byron Bay book up way in advance and accommodation in general (not just hostels) is in very short supply and is usually more expensive.
- Book your trip through an Australia specialist travel agent – they can put together an itinerary of the best hostels and activities for your entire trip up the East Coast, book it all for you, and save you money at the same time.
You may like to know that The Best of Byron is an independent publication and is supported by its readers. If you found our roundup of the best hostels in Byron Bay useful, please consider booking your accommodation through the links on this page. By doing so, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can view our full disclosure and affiliate policy here.
