As if we needed another reason to visit the Northern Rivers this summer, one of the most interesting new accommodation brands in Australia has just lifted the curtain on its latest outpost, and it’s right in the heart of Byron Bay. Drifter, the hybrid hotel-hostel brand that’s been changing the game for travellers in New Zealand and along Australia’s east coast with its Little Drifter hostels, has officially launched its first full Australian property: Drifter Byron Bay. The vibe? Boutique hotel polish meets hostel-style social offering. The best news? Opening rates start from $70 per night.
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Found on Lateen Lane in the heart of Byron (just five minutes walk from Main Beach), the 52-room, 260-bed Drifter Byron Bay has been designed for connection. Nearly all rooms – 49 out of 52 – boast balconies, many overlooking the sun-soaked rooftop pool (complete with dedicated DJ booth). Drifter CEO Luke Moran says the property is about more than accommodation, it’s a social and creative hub explaining that “today’s traveller is seeking so much more than just a place to sleep – they want connection, experience and community.”
Inside, the vibe is all sun-washed ochres, rusted maroons and deep sea greens, accented with eclectic, tactile finishes. Larissa Fuller, Drifter’s project design and delivery lead, has curated spaces that encourage guests to mingle, get creative, or just take in the energy. Communal areas include the Revel Room for dining, games, and movie screenings, a social kitchen, and lounges with workspaces for nomadic travellers. Original artworks, including a Hockney-inspired mural by Beni Single, line the walls – not a hostel staple ‘Live, laugh, love’ painting in sight.
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Designed to meet the needs of various types of traveller, the accommodation options range from shared suites (for four, six, eight, or ten) to private queen rooms and a Private King Penthouse dubbed the Nirvana Suite. There are also female-only or ensuite-shared rooms, each thoughtfully designed with privacy curtains, individual power outlets and lockable storage.
The Drifter brand is built on experiences, with beach yoga classes, run clubs, “Disco Drifter” dance nights and family-style communal meals all operated by the hotel’s hosts, and included in the room rate. These are places built for people who want to connect, make memories, and feel like they’ve actually been somewhere.
Drifter Byron Bay is just the latest step in the brand’s Australian expansion, joining Little Drifter hostels in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne, with new Drifter properties launching in Melbourne, Wellington, and Auckland in 2026.
You can learn more and book over here.
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