A small coastal town is located in the easternmost point of Australia to show you that living in harmony with nature is not only possible but necessary. If living abroad is quite an adventure, living in Byron Bay will be an experience that connects you and your true dreams.
Taking advantage of Byron Bay’s beach, forests, markets and bohemian atmosphere on your next vacation could be a decision that will change your life forever. And it is that in the meantime concrete, sometimes it is good to have a space to review your life and give it the change it needs.
Sounds great, right? Spend whole days surfing, travel alone but make friends from all corners of the world, walk and have the streets filled with music, artists and good vibes. If you want to know what it is like to live in Byron Bay, in this article we will tell you what life is like in the coolest little town in Australia.
What is it like to live in Byron Bay?
Located on the east coast of Australia in the state of New South Wales, 772 kilometers from Sydney, Byron Bay is a paradise for artists that receives thousands of tourists year after year.
Don’t worry that this is going to ruin the experience. Everyone who comes here is very open minded and loves that happy hippie vibe that the town has inherited since the 70’s!
Byron Bay is a place where you can find some of the best scenery in Australia. So if you are a traveler connected to nature, sports and looking for an alternative lifestyle, Byron Bay could be your next happy place.
Educational quality and study opportunities
Now, there is not only time here to explore nature, you can also find courses to study in Byron Bay! You can take advantage of the trip to study abroad and learn in an educational system recognized throughout the world.
And it is that like all cities in Australia, the educational quality of Byron is high and its schools offer competitive programs designed to give that boost to your CV that will make you a more attractive professional.
Are you interested in studying Marketing, Business or English in Byron Bay? We leave you the information about the study opportunities in Australia offered by CatEight Course Application, which enables you to search for courses provided by education providers across Australia, and submit your course application online. Take a look at the courses you like the most and set off on your adventure!
Nature commands the stop
Living in Byron Bay is enjoying getting up early to watch the sunrise, a wonderful moment in which the whales take the opportunity to get playful with the first waves of the day.
It is walking with a surfboard under your arm or with your favorite books in your backpack to take advantage of any of the beaches and spend a quiet afternoon. It is putting on your shoes and meeting friends to explore its forests and bathe in its hidden waterfalls.
If you love nature, Byron Bay life will not disappoint. In addition to being able to be close to it, you will have the opportunity to see the local fauna: koalas, kangaroos, birds and all kinds of sea creatures.
In addition, it is a perfect paradise for those who are passionate about meditation and yoga. In fact, it is one of the best destinations to learn yoga in Australia.
Byron Bay lifestyle
Byron Bay has a reputation as Australia’s most bohemian town, and with good reason. All profiles of travelers love it: artisans, musicians, yogis, surfers and foodies coexist in the city. For this reason, every day the streets are filled with impromptu concerts, craft fairs, meditation classes and delicious food markets.
Due to its good climate and its incredible natural settings, Byron is also the birthplace of sports and a healthy lifestyle. Plus, the locally grown and organic food adds a special touch to eating here. By the way, their brunches are legendary, tasty, balanced and Instagrammable.
A common plan here is to meet friends for a barbecue, have some beer and enjoy life. Also, being a small town, living in Byron Bay is a perfect experience to disconnect from the chaos of the rest of the world.
Cost of living in Byron Bay
Despite the town’s hippie vibe, the truth is that living in Byron Bay isn’t exactly cheap. As it attracts many tourists, the cost of living can rise somewhat, especially in high season.
So to compensate, it is better that you come with good savings and try to get a job quickly, because another of the drawbacks of the city is that being so small, the job opportunities are quite competitive (that does not mean that it is impossible to get a job ).
But hey, to the point, how much does it cost to live in Byron Bay? Here are some reference prices for the main costs:
- Between A$150 and A$200 depending on the location and the season in which you rent.
- Between A$160 and A$240 per month, also depending on how much you eat and spend on chelitas or coffees.
- The advice here is that you buy a bike (it can be used, there is no problem) and do all your trips on it. You will see how you will not have to spend a single dollar more, apart from maintenance.
Requirements to live in Byron Bay if you are a foreigner
Now let’s move on from the good vibes to something more “serious”: the inevitable bureaucracy to prepare all the documents you need to live abroad. The good news is that the procedures with the Australian government are clear. Below we explain the alternatives.
Now yes, let’s start with the alternatives to live in Byron Bay as a foreigner. We are going to review two options that, according to the GrowPro guys, are the easiest to live in Byron Bay for a long time (that is, not as a tourist).
Student visa in Australia
The student visa (Subclass 500 visa) is a perfect option to stay in Byron Bay as a student and, as a bonus, have the chance to work legally in the country.
The requirements to request it may vary depending on your nationality and the course you want to take. But in general, you must comply with the following:
- Be over 16 years old (and over 18 if you want to work).
- Be enrolled in a course of a minimum duration of 3 months offered by a school authorized by the Australian Government.
- Have your passport valid for the entire duration of the course.
- Have student health insurance for the duration of your stay.
- Attach a medical certificate to attest to your state of health.
- Write a letter explaining the reasons why you want to study in Australia. This letter is called a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE).
- Demonstrate that you have sufficient financial funds to survive in Australia in case you cannot find a job.
- Pay the fee of A$620.
As we told you, the advantage of this visa is that it allows you to work in Australia like this: 20 hours a week during the course and 40 hours a week during the vacation period. With the money you earn you can not only pay for your stay, you can also save and go on a road trip across the country!
Work and Holiday Visa Australia
If you are from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Spain, another alternative to living in Byron Bay as a foreigner is the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462). This visa allows you to stay in Australia for 12 months, extendable up to 3 years.
With the Work and Holiday Visa you can combine studies and work, or only work full-time (up to 6 months with the same employer) and take advantage of the rest of the time to travel. In order to apply for this visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of application.
- You must be a national of Spain, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Uruguay.
- Have your valid passport for as long as you want to stay.
- You cannot have a person who depends on you financially.
- Demonstrate that you have the economic funds to cover the expenses of your stay.
- Pay the fee of A$440.
If you meet the requirements and want to learn more about this alternative, you can read this complete article on the Work and Holiday Visa.
Work in Byron Bay as a foreign student
As we told you, living in Byron Bay, studying and working as a foreigner is possible with your student visa or your Work and Holiday Visa. However, you need a few more papers. Don’t worry, we’ve almost finished the requirements to start the adventure!
- Be of legal age, that is, you have to be at least 18 years old to be able to work legally in the country.
- Process your Tax File Number if you work as an employee, or your Australian Business Number if you are self-employed.
- Check if you need a special certificate to work in a specific area.
- Know a minimum of English. Studying English abroad can be the perfect opportunity to master the language, plus they will be practicing it 24/7. Those words you didn’t understand before will never escape you!
Byron Bay: Australia’s coolest little town
Living in Byron Bay will be an experience that will mark a before and after in your life. Its laid back way of life, its music, food and yoga festivals, and all the people you will meet will make you see things from a new perspective.
Are you ready to start your adventure? Tell us in the comments. We believe in you and your adventurous spirit!
