Older traveler alert: I hadn't stayed in a hostel in more than 20 years, but the YHA at Byron Bay was so central and so affordable for a last minute booking, I decided to try it. The location is unbeatable. It brings in-town transportation costs to zero. And, while there are literally easily 100 tasty restaurants within walking distance, the grocery store is also directly across the street. The rooms are incredibly thoughtfully-designed (with USB power in your bunk!). But, of course, your hostel experience depends largely on who you're sharing a room with. My first few nights (I was in a 4-person women's room for a few nights and then a 4-person co-ed room for a night), I had a great mother-daughter pair who were super quiet and respectful, and then I had a couple of young women who were very controlling of the space. To be expected. By the end of my stay, I wasn't resting well, so I moved on. The desk staff were some of the most helpful humans I've ever encountered--they helped me change my stay several times with a smile, book travel to a neighboring area, and they even helped me organize a taxi after I'd moved out and found myself stranded with a non-functioning Uber app. For the older traveler, I would highly recommend the hostel as a place to come and get your bearings in Byron. You can decided how long you want to stay. HInt: maybe avoid the weekends ;) And the wi-fi isn't sufficient for video calls, if you're working on the road, but there are cafes nearby with fewer users and workable access.