About Byron Bay

The beachside town of Byron Bay is renowned for its relaxed, laidback atmosphere, beautiful beaches, creative local community, mild-subtropical climate and unrivalled quality of life. There’s no doubt that Byron Bay offers up the quintessential creative, coastal lifestyle.

Key attractions

• Head to the beach for a swim, surf, or walk to the lighthouse – keep a look out for our majestic and playful resident dolphins
• Check out the Community and Farmers Markets for a sample of local produce and handmade wares
• Visit the quaint and eclectic hinterland villages
• Grab your hiking boots and explore the surrounding National Parks, waterfalls and waterholes
• Feed your belly and catch up with friends in Byron’s buzzing cafes and bars
• Take up yoga, swing on a flying trapeze, or join a meditation group…

Events

January-April

• Byron Arts Classic
• Byron Spirit Festival
• Brunswick Heads Kites and Bikes Festival
• Byron Bay International Film Festival
• Byron Bay Bluesfest

May-August

• Byron Bay Winter Whales Ocean Swim Classic
• Lismore Lantern Parade
• Splendour in the Grass
• Byron Bay Writers' Festival

September-December

• Sample Food Festival
• Byron Lighthouse Run
• Byron Bay Surf Festival
• Byron Latin Fiesta
• The Mullum Music Festival
• UpLift Festival

Additional links and resources

• Northern Rivers Tourism - byronbayandbeyond.com
• Destination NSW - visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast
• Byron Naturally - byronnaturally.com.au
• Byron Bay Tourism - visitbyronbay.com
• Common Ground Byron Bay - commongroundaustralia.com/byronbay
• Byron Community Centre - byroncentre.com.au

Local services in Byron Bay

Emergency Services

In an emergency call: 000 (Ambulance, Fire, Police)
Poisons advice: 131126

If it’s not an emergency but it could be serious, call 13 HEALTH – qualified staff will give you advice on who to talk to and how quickly you should do it: 13 43 25 84

Legal Services

For legal advice and information, or to find a Solicitor, visit the Law Society of New South Wales.

Please note that serious matters should be directed to your country’s consulate.

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has a 24 hour Consular Emergency Centre. For more information visit dfat.gov.au or call the emergency consular helpline on 1300 555 135. 

Accessing Money

There are a number of banks and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in Byron Bay. Banks are open from Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm (except on public holidays). ATMs are accessible 24 hours a day.

• Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• ANZ
• Westpac
• National Australia Bank (NAB)
• St George
• Bank of Queensland

Internet Access

The Internet is readily available on campus during opening hours.

You can purchase portable broadband Wi-Fi and plug and play devices (pre-paid or on a contract/plan) from the service providers below. It is worth doing your research to make sure you get a deal that suits your needs and budget.

• Telstra mobile broadband
• Vodafone mobile broadband
• Optus prepaid mobile broadband

Medical Centres

Byron Central Hospital

nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about/hospitals/byron-central-hospital/

Holdsworth House Medical Practice Byron Bay 

holdsworthhouse.com.au

Bay Centre Medical Clinic

byronmed.com.au

North Coast Medical Centre 

northcoastmedicalcentre.com.au

Cape Byron Medical Centre

capebyronmedical.com.au

Places of Worship

Byron Bay is an accepting and multicultural community welcoming people of all faiths. To find your place of worship click here.

Byron Bay Transport

The Byron Bay campus is a 10 minute walk from the town centre, and a 5 minute walk from the Byron Bay Arts and Industrial Estate. Cycle and walking tracks connect the campus to both hubs.

Buses and taxis operate in and around Byron Bay. For more information, see below.

Buses

For schedule information visit: blanchs.com.au/timetables

Taxis

Byron Bay Taxis

byronbaytaxis.com.au

Bikes

Bikes are a great way to get around Byron Bay and a number of local retailers sell new and used bicycles. You can also check out the classifieds in the local newspaper for second hand bikes, or perhaps hunt down a pushbike bargain at a weekend garage sale.

Sunrise Cycles

Airports

There are a number of airports servicing the Byron Bay region.

Domestic and International Travel

Coolangatta (Gold Coast) and Brisbane are the main airports for domestic and international travel.

Local Airports (Domestic and Regional Travel)

Ballina Airport has domestic fights to Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne.

Lismore Regional Airport offers daily Regional Express Flights (REX) to Sydney.

Airport Transfers (Gold Coast, Brisbane and Ballina)

• Brisbane to Byron Express Bus - brisbane2byron.com
• Byron Bay Easy Bus - byronbayshuttle.com.au
• Byron Bay Taxis - byronbaytaxis.com.au

Accommodation in Byron Bay

SAE Byron Bay is the only site in Australia to offer its students purpose-built accommodation, on campus.

Nestled amongst landscaped rainforest gardens, the accommodation is located adjacent to the main teaching and learning hub.

The accommodation facilities include twin share rooms with communal kitchen, dining room, bathroom and laundry amenities. There is a dedicated recreational area with free Wi-Fi access.

The central location of the Byron Bay campus ensures student residents have easy access to local shopping, community and social services, and recreational facilities.

If you’d like to learn more about our accommodation options and availability, or to apply, please contact byronbay@sae.edu

Living in Australia

Read about living in Australia here.