Brisbane to Byron Bay takes around 3 hours 5 minutes by Joey bus, departing Brisbane in the early afternoon, stopping at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, and arriving into Byron Bay by mid-afternoon. Buses run daily in both directions on the same hop-on hop-off pass used across the rest of the East Coast network.
This is the run travellers take when Brisbane’s city energy has run its course and it’s time for something slower. The Gold Coast sits almost exactly in the middle of this leg, so it’s a natural place to break up the trip if a few days of beach clubs and nightlife sound better than pushing straight through, before continuing on to Byron’s lighthouse walks and cafe culture.
Brisbane To Byron Bay Bus
7 Days per week!
Total journey time is 3 hours from Brisbane to Byron Bay.
● 12:45pm – Brisbane
276D Albert Street
● 2:20pm – Surfers Paradise
10 Pine Avenue, Surfers Paradise
● 2:35pm – Surfers Paradise
Hearts Distillery, The Esplanade
● 3:50pm – Byron Bay
Bus Interchange 52 Butler St
Why backpackers do this leg with Joey instead of a direct coach
A direct Brisbane-Byron transfer usually means committing to one straight run. Joey’s version has the Gold Coast built in as a genuine stop, not just a highway exit you pass, so the decision to break the trip up doesn’t need to be made in advance, and you’re doing it alongside other backpackers on the same route rather than solo on a commuter coach.
FAQs
How long is the Joey bus from Brisbane to Byron Bay?
Around 3 hours 5 minutes, including a stop at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
Does the Brisbane to Byron Bay bus stop in Byron Bay?
Byron Bay Bus Interchange, 52 Butler Street.
How much is the trip from Brisbane to Byron Bay?
From $67.50 per trip depending on pass size, or $89 for a single trip. Current pricing on the Joey pass page.
Where does the Joey bus drop off in Byron Bay?
Byron Bay Bus Interchange, 52 Butler Street.
Does the bus run from Byron Bay back to Brisbane too?
Yes, daily in both directions.
See our full route map here
Keep going
Buy a Joey pass to travel this leg and the rest of the East Coast.
See full JOEY route network and timetable here
See how this fits into the 8 Day Adventure, 11 Day Explorer or 11 Day Premium itineraries.
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Find your perfect Joey route Pass.
Each pass comes with a set number of purchased trip uses, and each time you travel from one destination to another, it counts as one trip. Go in any direction, at any time, and add more trips whenever you need.
What’s included with each pass
- Any trip segment of your choice. For example, Byron Bay to Noosa will require 1 trip
- Add extra trips easily in your account
- Change your dates for free up to day before
- Immediate access in your Joey account
- Pass valid for 6 months from first trip use
- Bring one travel buddy on any trip (counts as an additional trip)
East Coast Route
Five destinations. A 350km route running the East Coast daily. Buses depart both Southbound and Northbound. Hop on anywhere, Hop off anywhere.
Rainbow Beach
Byron Bay
How it works
Hit the coast.
Cruise from Byron to Rainbow Beach with guided stops, secret spots and all the coastal magic in between.
Come for the ride, stay for the group chat.
Meet likeminded travellers, swap stories and make the kind of road-trip connections that last long after the ride is over.
trips end. friendships don’t.
The journey might wrap up, but the friendships you make along the way keep going long after the bus stops.