Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Gold Coast to Byron Bay

Looking into a way to get to Byron Bay from Sufers Paradise, Gold Coast. It looks like most shuttles/buses offer transport from Coolangatta, but I think that's quite a distance from Surfers. (there are 4 of us travelling and we don't want to rent a car)

We want to spend the better part of a day in Bryon Bay. It looks like there's snorkeling and diving at Julian Rocks Marine Reserves. Supposedly, it is one of Australia's top 10 dive sites.

Any suggestions on other things to do in Byron Bay besides snorkeling/diving and exploring the cafes and shops?

Tweed Heads to Byron Bay is a little over an hour, so all up approx 1.5 hours travel from Surfers depending on traffic. There are busses, however I think the cost of a small rental car will be cheaper than 4 return bus fares.

Tweed to byron is more like 40 mins now and close to an hour to surfers. I regularly do brisbane to bangalow which consistantly takes 1:40, the tugun bypass has taken out a lot of hassle.

Is there a reason you don't want to hire a car? Driving is by far the best way to travel between byron and surfers and if you want to do a day trip to byron I think it's going to be pretty much your only option

Is there a reason you don't want to hire a car? Driving is by far the best way to travel between byron and surfers and if you want to do a day trip to byron I think it's going to be pretty much your only option

It's just a lot more logistics and hassle to hire a car and figure out the directions and make sure you're driving on the correct side of the road... but it looks like that's our best option.

It's just a lot more logistics and hassle to hire a car and figure out the directions and make sure you're driving on the correct side of the road... but it looks like that's our best option.

I would strongly suggest a car. Australia does not have an ideal transport system, and if you are only there for a day better to not worry about bus timetables etc.

It's just a lot more logistics and hassle to hire a car and figure out the directions and make sure you're driving on the correct side of the road... but it looks like that's our best option.

Yep, definately, you'll be at about 3 hours better off in terms of logistics getting the car. It's basically a straight shot down th freeway so directions are easy and the left hand side of the road is much easier than you think, especially on a freeway. Hell, on queensland freeways it's slow traffic in the right lane and overtaking on the left so you'll be pretty comfortable.