How to reach Byron Bay

Getting There:

By air: Ansett has three flights a day from Sydney to Ballina, and one early morning flight from Brisbane to Ballina on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Round trip fare (14 days advance purchase) is $239 Sydney-Ballina, or $149 Brisbane-Ballina. A one-way through ticket, Brisbane-Ballina-Sydney, costs $295 (7 day advance purchase), or only $194 for senior citizens aged 60+.

From Ballina to Byron Bay, the cab fare is about $45.

By rail: The XPT (express train) from Sydney arrives in Byron at 7:27 p.m., and the return train departs Byron Bay for Sydney at 10:02. The fare is $75:80 one way, and concessions are available.

By coach: Greyhound Pioneer (tel 13-2030) has a twice daily service Sydney-Byron Bay-Brisbane. One way fare for 14-day advance purchase is $36. Lindsays (1800-02-7944), McCafferty's (02-212-3433), and Kirklands (066-22-1499) also run services, at around $57 one-way.

By car: By car, Byron Bay is about twelve hours north of Sydney, and two hours south of Brisbane.

Accommodation

1. Backpackers (pay $10-20)

You don't really need assistance here. The third-world style jackals who descend in droves upon arriving coaches will make up your mind for you ! But if somehow you miss these touts:

* Backpackers Inn, 29 Shirley Street, tel 066-85-8231, fax 85- 5708

* Cape Byron Hostel (YHA), Middleton Street, tel 85-8788, fax 85-8814

* Belongil Beach House, Childe Street, tel 85-7868, fax 85- 7445

* Arts Factory Lodge, Skinners Shoot Road, tel 85-7709, fax 85-8534

2. Budget ($20-30)

* Belongil Beach House, Childe Street, tel 85-7868, fax 85- 7445. (Yes, another listing here. As well as dorms, the Belongil has excellent budget singles and doubles)

* Byron Motor Lodge, corner Lawson and Butler Sts, tel 85- 6522, fax 008-028-939

* Glen Villa Cabins, Butler Street, tel 85-7382

3. Moderate

* Sunaway Motel, tel 066-85-3369

* Byron Sunseeker Motel, tel 85-7369, fax 85-5181

4. Bed and Breakfast (Most of these are 10-25 km from central Byron Bay)

* Coopers Shoot Guesthouse, Coopers Shoot Road, tel 066-85 3313, fax 85-3311

* Collies Cottage, Piccadilly Hill Rd, Coopers Shoot, tel/fax 87-1248

* Yarraga, Federal road, Goonengerry, tel 84-9251

5. Resort (if you must resort to a self-contained world)

* The Oasis Resort and Tree-top House, Scott Street, tel 85- 7390, fax 85-8290