The Best Airbnbs in Byron Bay, New South Wales

Unlike other properties in the area, this one-bedroom home has a loft-style lilt with exposed brick, brushed concrete and mid-century furnishings; it wouldn’t look out of place in New York City. Stepping outside, you’ll be transported back to your tropical destination, which is the rainforest on the fringes of town. Expect to be surrounded by lush bush, an enormous outdoor courtyard and Instagram-friendly decor, with the star of the show here the seashell pink bath in the garden; it makes for both a relaxing soak and a beautiful snap.

Tucked away just above the centre of town, this two-bedroom bungalow is a quiet sanctuary that’s only a 15-minute walk from the busy beachfront. The highlight of this property is its enormous garden: full of vintage furnishings, repurposed mirrors and bohemian cushions, it feels like a boutique flea market. Much like your own little oasis, it also comes with an outdoor shower to keep you cool on steamy days. Inside, things are just as stylish – the kitchen boasts a Smeg-style fridge and has everything you need to make cooking at home easy, while wicker chairs and flamingo-dotted palm-print wallpaper complete the tropical atmosphere.

For those looking to maximise their time at the beach, this studio is the dream spot. Just 100 metres (330ft) from Town Beach, you can be up and having your morning swim before the crowds arrive, and back at the property with your brew in minutes. This open-plan studio, fit for two, comes with air conditioning – a must have in the Byron heat – and a kitchenette that makes whipping up breakfast easy. Though, with so many of the town’s best eateries within stumbling distance, you might have no need for it – such is the beauty of staying so central.

With a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, this rustic cabin allows you to take full advantage of its hinterland location. Sleeping two guests and surrounded by greenery, you’ll feel as if you’re tucked away in your own slice of rainforest – but the beach isn’t far, being just a 10-minute drive away. Back at the property, you can spend a few hours cosying up with a good book in the hanging cocoon chair on the deck, while the kitchenette means you won’t need to leave to grab food if you’re in total chill-out mode. Waking up to the sound of birds and having your breakfast looking out over the trees every day will make it hard to leave.

With a distinct Indonesian influence throughout, this studio is a little slice of Bali in the centre of Byron Bay. A bamboo-wrapped semi-outdoor patio makes for a blissful spot to sit with a kombucha, in Byron fashion, watching the light filter through the greenery. Inside, things are pared back, with minimalist decor punctuated by wall hangings and a vintage lampshade. Keen surfers, there’s a soft-top surfboard you can help yourself to, which is particularly convenient given your proximity to the beach. You can wander down and catch the morning swell in minutes.

Byron Bay isn’t just coastline, there’s much countryside, too. This cottage, found on a 20-acre (8ha) farm, is a case in point – sitting in the middle of rolling green hills, with rescue cows, geese and chickens all around. Boasting a queen-size bed and an extra futon sofa bed, this house sleeps two comfortably, or three if needed; however, there is a cottage of the same size next door should you want to come as a larger group. Make full use of the lake in front of the cottage, which you can enjoy either on the kayaks provided, or from the hammock-strewn cabana. Totally removed from the hubbub of town, and yet just a five-minute drive or 15-minute cycle from the centre of Byron, you get the best of all worlds here.

Fans of cult bohemian fashion brand Spell will be drawn to this chic one-bedroom villa, which is perched above their store in the heart of Byron Bay. Those who aren’t familiar with the brand will still appreciate the space for its impeccable styling, palm-fringed pool area, and tropical oasis vibe. Another one for the Instagram-lovers, there are myriad photo opportunities throughout the villa – from sitting poolside to posing under the outdoor shower. And if you find yourself running out of things to wear, head downstairs to the Spell store to don the unofficial Byron Bay uniform.

Who needs a television when you’ve got front-row seats to the shore? Featuring a vaulted roof and floor-to-ceiling-windows, this two-bedroom beachfront apartment offers hours of screen-free watching, whether it’s dolphins frolicking in the waves as you drink your morning coffee, or the sun turning the ocean a fiery orange as you sip your evening wine. You’re quite literally steps from the sand, meaning you can step out the front door for a morning walk or start your day with a swim.

Bright, light and airy, this two-person home brings a slice of Palm Springs retro-chic to Byron Bay. Decorated almost entirely in white, colour punctuations come in the way of palm trees dotting the garden, a vintage Californian photograph, and cobalt-blue throw cushions. The spacious, marble-clad bathroom comes with a free-standing bath; however, the best spot for immersion is most definitely the plunge pool outside, lending a much-needed reprieve from the Byron Bay heat. Just steps from local-favourite breakfast spot, Top Shop, start your morning with a freshly made açaí bowl and a cold-brew coffee.