72 Hours of Adventure in Byron Bay

From February 21st to 23rd, I had the opportunity to travel to Byron Bay, New South Wales, with Extreme Adventures and a group of international students who were also attending Griffith University. Byron Bay was about an hour away by tram and bus, and since it is in a different time zone, I even had to set my clock one hour ahead.

When we arrived, we checked into Backpackers Inn, a local hostel. This was my first time ever staying in a hostel, and it was definitely an interesting experience. There were four people assigned to each room, and the bathrooms, showers, and common dining areas were all located outside. The hostel was less than a minute from the beach and only a two-minute walk from town, making it the perfect location for exploring.

Byron Bay is very different from Surfers Paradise. It is much less touristy and has a far more relaxed atmosphere. Many people describe Byron Bay as a hippie town, and it definitely lived up to that reputation. Everyone I met was friendly, laid-back, and seemed to be enjoying life at a slower pace. One of the funniest things I noticed was that many people rarely wore shoes.

During my three days in Byron Bay, I packed in more activities than I ever imagined. On the first day, I learned how to surf. On the second day, I went kayaking and completed a two-and-a-half-hour hike to Australia's easternmost point. On the third day, I went skydiving and visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Learning to surf was one of the most fun and challenging activities I have ever done. In just two hours, I managed to catch somewhere between 10 and 15 waves. While I certainly wasn't a professional surfer by the end of the lesson, I was proud of how much progress I made in such a short amount of time.

Kayaking was another incredible experience, although I was definitely exhausted afterward. While out on the water, I saw what felt like hundreds of dolphins and even spotted a sea turtle. The most challenging part of the trip was not paddling through the ocean but actually surfing the kayak back onto shore. Almost everyone had their kayak flip over while trying to come back in. Luckily, I managed to stay upright and avoid taking an unexpected swim.

The hike to the Byron Bay Lighthouse was probably the toughest hike I've ever completed, but the breathtaking views made every step worth it. Standing at Australia's easternmost point and looking out over the ocean was an unforgettable experience.

The next day, I went skydiving, which is easily the craziest thing I've ever done. It was an incredible experience and one that I would recommend to anyone considering it. It's hard to put into words what it feels like, but it's easily the biggest natural adrenaline rush I've ever experienced. If you ever get the opportunity to skydive, I highly recommend taking it.

One of the highlights of the entire trip was visiting the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. While there, I got to hold a koala and feed kangaroos. Both animals were incredibly cute, and the koala's fur was much softer than I expected. It was such a unique Australian experience and something I'll never forget.

Overall, Byron Bay was an amazing trip, although it was definitely exhausting. Surfing, kayaking, hiking, and skydiving all within 72 hours is enough to make anyone's body feel like mush. Despite the exhaustion, I wouldn't change a thing. Between the beautiful scenery, exciting adventures, and unforgettable memories, Byron Bay was one of the highlights of my time in Australia.