Byron Bay Guide Articles

 
Byron Bay Business Directory

Airports near Byron Bay

1. Ballina / Byron Airport:

Ballina AirportOwned and operated by Ballina Shire Council, the Airport is located within 5kms of the Ballina CBD and a quick but scenic road trip from Byron Bay (20 mins) and Lismore (30 mins). Within a couple of hours from Sydney, you can be relaxing on uncrowded beaches or exploring world heritage listed National Parks and rainforests. 

Last year over 120,000 passengers travelled through Ballina Airport . The Airport caters for all types of air traffic, including domestic flights, air freight/courier services and general aviation.

The Airport Terminal Building provides visitors and travellers the convenience of a modern capital city terminal. Facilities include:

- Comfortable Arrivals & Departure Lounge
- VIP/Business Lounge
- Security Screening 
- Licensed Cafe
- Carousel baggage delivery
- Ground handling services
- Disabled access
- Undercover pickup and set-down zone|
- Extensive car parking
- Public telephones

The five major car rental firms operate a service out of Ballina Airport:

Avis - Telephone: (02) 6686 7650 
Budget - Telephone: 0407 514184
Hertz - Telephone: (02) 6686 4852
Thrifty - Telephone: 6686 7955
Ballina Byron Rental Cars Telephone: (02) 6687 4009
Ballina Taxi Cabs Telephone: 1800 065 870

For prompt, efficient, 24 hour service, a direct telephone line to Ballina Taxis is provided at the terminal or you can telephone (02) 6686 9999 or 1800 065 870 (freecall).

Car Storage Facility
Ballina Airport Car Storage provides an off-airport car storage facility, fully under cover with 24 hour security. A free courtesy bus will transport you to and from the Airport - operates 7 days a week. They can be contacted by telephoning (02) 6686 7320.

Coach transfers between Ballina Airport and Byron Bay are available:

Byron Bay Airbus Pty Ltd
(02) 6681 3355
(0417) 81 3355

Airlink Ballina - Lismore
(02) 6684 3232
(0412) 85 5747
Reservations : 8am - 5 pm, 7 days
Phone : 02 6684 3232, Mobile : 0412 855 747

Byron Bay - Airbus

Operates 7.45 am to 6.15 pm.
Surcharge applies outside these hours.
One Way

1 Pax = $30
2 Pax = $50
3 Pax = $60
Additional = $15 each

Return

1 Pax = $55
2 Pax = $95
3 Pax = $110
Additional = $25 each

2. Coolangata, Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast AirportGold Coast Airport is located on the Gold Coast Highway at Bilinga on the southern end of the Gold Coast, only five minutes from Coolangatta, and 45 minutes from Byron Bay. This airport is serviced by Qantas, Virgin Blue, Jetstar, Tiger Air, Pacific Air, Freedom Air and Australian Airlines. Not only can you fly here from within Australia, but some carriers also fly to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand.

Gold Coast Airport has a Transport and Information Desk right outside International Arrivals. You nare advised however, to organise all transfers before arriving in Coolangatta.

Transfer operators include:

Byron Bay Airbus

Sheduled Departures
Byron Bay to Coolangatta: 8.00*am & 1.00* pm.Daily *(Add 1 Hr. During DLS)
Coolangatta to Byron Bay:-11.30 am & 3.30 pm Daily.(All times Approximate)
Other times by arrangement, subject to pricing & no. of passengers

Each Way

1 Pax = $45
2 Pax = $40 each
3 Pax = $35 each
4 Pax = $30 each
5+ = $25 each

Limousines (Up to 4 Pax)

Airports Service/Byron Bay to:

One Way

Ballina = $85
Lismore = $95
Coolangatta = $140
Brisbane = $320

Return

Ballina = $160
Lismore = $185
Coolangatta = $260
Brisbane = $600

3. Brisbane Airport

Brisbane AirportAs a major city Airport - you will find most airlines flying to Brisbane. While Brisbane maybe be roughly 2 - 2.5 hours away from Byron Bay (177kms), It is a good option for travellers coming from overseas who desire a more or less direct flight. Whilst some international carriers land at the Gold Coast (mainly from Asia), most international carriers will fly to Brisbane. So, If you are coming from the UK, Europe or anywhere apart from Asia, this could be your best bet. For more information on Brisbane Airport, go to their website and visit their fact sheets.

Click here to search arrival and departure times at BNE.

TRANSFER BETWEEN TERMINALS

The inter-terminal shuttle connects the Domestic and International terminals and is operated by Airtrain (tel: (0)7 3216 3308; website: www.airtrain.com.au ).

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
The airport is located on Airport Drive and has a dedicated access road off the Gateway Motorway roundabout. From Brisbane, take the Kingsford Smith Drive to the Links Avenue off ramp on to the Gateway Motorway.

CAR PARKING
Short- and long-term parking (tel: (0)7 3406 3088) is available at both the International and Domestic terminals.

CAR HIRE
Car hire companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, with desks in the International and Domestic terminals.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Rail: The Airtrain (tel: (0)7 3216 3308) provides services to Brisbane Central Station (journey time: 22 minutes) and to the Gold Coast. Airtrain stations are located directly outside the Domestic and International terminals. Road: Taxi: Taxis are readily available; companies include Black & White Cabs (tel: 131 998) and Yellow Cabs (tel: 132 227 or (0)7 3391 5955; ). The taxi ranks are situated at both Qantas and Virgin Blue ends of the Domestic Terminal and outside Arrivals, on the second level of the International Terminal. Limousine: Limousines are also available; contact the Visitors Information Centre (tel: (0)7 3406 3190) for more information. Bus: Airport buses are available from both terminals to Brisbane Transit Centre in Roma Street, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. A door-to-door service is also provided. For further information, contact Coachtrans (tel: (0)7 3236 1000).

INFORMATION AND HELP DESKS
There is a Visitors Information Centre (tel: (0)7 3406 3190) on level 2 of the International Terminal, and passenger information desks on the ground floor of the Domestic Terminal. For tourist information, contact Brisbane Marketing (tel: (0)7 3006 6200).

AIRPORT FACILITIES
Money and communications: The International Terminal has bureaux de change facilities and ATMs on levels 2, 3 and 4. The Domestic Terminal has bureaux de change facilities on level 2. Payphones are situated throughout both terminals. Eating and drinking: There are plenty of cafés and bars at the airport. Shopping: A wide range of shops are available, with duty-free located in the International Terminal. A pre-order and pick-up service is available (tel: 1800 814 023). Luggage: Lost property offices are situated in both the International and Domestic terminals. There are no left-luggage facilities at the airport, due to security requirements. Other facilities: There is a first aid room, baby change rooms and a non-denominational prayer room in the International Terminal. Showers are available in both terminals.

CONFERENCE AND BUSINESS FACILITIES
The airport has conference and meeting facilities in the International Terminal (tel: (0)7 3406 3000; e-mail: info@bne.com.au) for groups of 12-50 people. Various airline lounges are situated in the International Terminal, including a Qantas Club Lounge (tel: (0)7 3307 9212). A Qantas Club Lounge (tel: (0)7 3867 3400) and The Blue Room (tel: (0)7 3114 7122), operated by Virgin Blue, are situated in the Domestic Terminal.

DISABLED FACILITIES
There is ramped and lift access to all floors, wheelchair-accessible toilets, and shops and dining areas designed for disabled people in the International Terminal. Disabled car parking spaces and wheelchair set-downs area available too.

AIRPORT HOTELS
Nearby hotels include the Airport Hacienda Best Western Hotel (tel: (0)7 3268 5011), the Airport Motel (tel: (0)7 3868 2399), the Brisbane Riviera Hotel (tel: (0)7 3862 1800) and the Motel Formula One (tel: (0)7 3868 3457). The Visitors Information Centre can provide information on accommodation.