It’s a must-do – Sydney to Byron Bay with a bunch of friends, seemingly unlimited time, but limited funds. The end destination? It’s often thought to be an expensive one. This guide provides hot (budget) tips on where to eat, stay and find adventure at key stops along the road and at the final stop, making sure your trip doesn’t turn into a bank breaker.
Fact: if you’re keen to make this journey but don’t have a car, rest assured Newcastle, Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay are all accessible by public transport – either bus or train.
Stop 1: Newcastle
Stay: YHA Newcastle Beach is an oceanside hostel, set in a heritage building across from Newcastle Beach. It has free Wi-Fi and surfboard and bodyboard hire, a self-catering kitchen, a laundry and more. Its central location makes it a great homebase when visiting the seaside city.Eat: In Merewether you’ll find Modus Merewether, a craft beer brewery with 36 taps pouring Modus’ core range, non-alcoholic options and special sips such as sours and IPAs. It offers a weekday happy hour and value-for-money tasting paddles. After your fill at Modus, head to Larrie’s for a feed of old-school fish and chips by the beach. Go for the locally sourced produce and sustainably caught seafood, stay for the prawn toast and chip butties. Even a budget-friendly holiday can leave room for a spot of luxury, and a cocktail on QT Newcastle’s rooftop fits the bill. Head up for epic river views, Japanese-style interiors, Japanese whiskies, inspired cocktails and snacks.
Do: Top of Newcastle’s adventure list is a swim in its incredible waters. An Instagrammer’s dream is the Bogey Hole, a glistening, hand-hewn ocean pool off King Edward Park. Just a five-minute walk from the YHA is the Canoe Pool. It’s a great spot to wade and sun soak in the shallow water, perfect for inexperienced swimmers and young families. Beyond swimming, Treetops Adventure Newcastle offers unique treetop courses nestled in the Blue Gum Hills Regional Park, and supplies a five per cent discount on your first adventure if you sign up to its mailing list. For a walk on the dark side, hit up Newcastle’s True Crime Tour. The $34 tour provides insights into Newcastle’s crime history over an enthralling 90-minute walk around the city.
Stop 2: Port Stephens
Stay: Samurai Beach Bungalows Port Stephens YHA is an affordable and comfortable hostel set in lush rainforest, with shared-room accommodation, deluxe double rooms and family options. Find the usual hostel amenities along with a pit-style fire; an outdoor, fully equipped ‘bush kitchen’, and more.Eat: Nelson Bay’s Mod Thai is a great option for a good-value meal out, with an extensive range of stir-fry, noodle and curry dishes. It also does BYO. Head to Cheeky Dog in Soldier’s Point for a great open-plan pub experience. Set right on the water, this modern Mediterranean-style outpost deals in classic pub food plus stone-baked pizza, antipasti and weekly specials.
Tomaree Head Summit Walk, Port Stephens |
Stop 3: Port Macquarie
Stay: Budget, waterside accommodation in Port Macquarie is answered by NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park. Whether you prefer to hitch the caravan, pitch a tent or relax in a cabin, you’ll be spoilt for choice at this riverside spot. There’s also Ozzie Pozzie Backpackers. Self-proclaimed to be ‘more resort than backpackers’, Ozzie Pozzie has dorms and rooms, a massage suite, swimming pool, kitchen and more. A little further north of Port Macquarie, in Crescent Head, Waves Campground caters to campers, caravanners, camper trailers and camper vans. It's set in pristine bushland and has an on-site cafe.Eat: Brooklyn's Burger Bar makes a mean burger. Find options inspired by countries the world over, including a Nashville fried chicken number; a smoked brisket burger; and the ‘ultimate Aussie’ with bacon, a fried egg and beetroot relish. It also does hotdogs, shakes and loaded fries. For more of a splurge option, Bar Capone, a modern speakeasy-style bar, is your answer. Enter for classic cocktails with a side of burgers and fried-food goodness.
Port Macquarie Lighthouse, Port Macquarie |
Stop 4: Coffs Coast
Stay: Reflections Holiday Parks Coffs Harbour blends inner-city convenience with idyllic surroundings. Here you’ll find unpowered camping, powered slab and grass sites, and basic and standard cabins. Plus, most of the park is pet friendly. Woopi Backpackers is a family-run Woolgoolga hostel, just a five-minute walk from Woolgoolga Beach and a short drive from Coffs Harbour. Stay here for a range of room styles plus complimentary breakfast.Eat: The Glenreagh Bakery is a 35-minute drive inland to Glenreagh and well worth the trip. The self-proclaimed ‘destination bakery’ prepares all its goods on-site, including the best pies (it’s won awards for them) on the Coffs Coast, savoury scones, eclairs and much more. Back in Coffs, drop into the fish shop at the Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op for the catch of the day.
The Big Banana Fun Park, Coffs Harbour |
Stop 4: Byron Bay
Stay: Wake Up! Byron Bay – a modern, bright and bohemian hostel – is one of the most affordable spots to stay in Byron. Opposite Belongil Beach, and just a 15-minute walk from the town centre, it has shared dorms and private rooms, an on-site restaurant and bar, a spacious courtyard, plus all the hostel mainstays including shared bathroom facilities and free Wi-Fi. Across town at the waterfront Reflections Holiday Parks Byron Bay, find camping and caravanning sites, cabins, tiny homes and superior ocean-view villas.Eat: Just a 10-minute walk from Reflections is Top Shop, a local favourite. This former 1950s milk bar serves acai bowls, smoothies, burgers and more from its corner shop space. Perch yourself on the grassy knoll while you tuck into your mid-morning snack. In town, Miss Margarita dishes up Mexican cantina classics and has a daily happy hour of $15 margaritas and $6 Mexican beers. A little further out of town in Brunswick Heads is Birds of Paradise. This bougie rotisserie chicken shop sells chicken-and-chip combos, chicken rolls (the toppings and flavours change regularly) and house-made ice-cream.
Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay |
Road tripping from Sydney to Byron Bay doesn’t need to be expensive. From free coastal walks to bucket-list photo ops, great-value eats and affordable stays, here’s where to sleep, eat and adventure on your journey.
* Destination NSW
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