The Arts Factory Byron Bay

The arts factory is a kind of hostel in Byron Bay. I say a kind of hostel because it is different from any other hostel I’ve ever seen. The standard hostels I’ve encountered so far are simple concrete buildings. The space is used for a kitchen, a reception, TV-room and lots of dorm rooms where as many backpackers as possible can be accommodated.

The Arts Factory has this type of accommodation, but also a lot more. They have bungalow tents and even teepee tents where you can stay.

I had heard about this place quite a lot since I arrived in Byron Bay, but never got round to actually visiting the place. The reason being that it a little bit out of town. Well, last Saturday the day finally came. The Arts Factory had its 20 year anniversary and everyone in town was invited. They would have activities and live music but no bar, so it was BYO (Bring Your Own). Armed with a bottle of whisky in my backpack I headed out to see what this place was all about.

As walked up to the entrance it looked just like another hostel. They had a reception manned with staff armed with friendly smiles. Just beyond that there was a swimming pool lined by a 2 story U-shaped building. It looked very much like a cheap holiday apartment complex or motel. Nothing fancy and nothing out of the ordinary so far.

Lots of people where wandering around, drinking, laughing and chatting with each other. It was after I passed the reception and little restaurant (which is not typical for hostel) that I saw what made this place so famous.

Behind the building was a big open space. There was a square filled with picnic tables. Normally it would be used by the guest to have their breakfast, lunch and dinner, but now it was packed with people checking out the live music played on the stage.

There was a little area that doubled as dance floor right on front of it and behind it a big pond. For this occasion they had put up a giant floating ball which they projected artsy pictures on. It looked great, especially since the pond was lined with vegetation found in any tropical rain forest.

To the left of the stage was a big elevated area filled with sand. Some teepee tents sat on either side of it. Fire dancers using burning hula-hoops, flaming rods and chains where practicing around a big metal tub with a raging fire inside of it. There was hardly any artificial lighting and the big fire in combination with the fire dancers gave everything a warm orange glow.

As I was wandering around, chatting with random people and sipping my whisky I followed a boardwalk to the back of the grounds. I led to a circle of big bungalow tents in the middle of the jungle. As I crossed a little creek there was a small abandoned row boat tied of on a tree. I all fit perfectly. The jungle, the little details, the types of accommodation, the people, the music. I asked myself, if you’re staying in a hostel, why stay anywhere else. The Arts Factory has a very high hippie value. Normally that is not really my style, but the laid back atmosphere and surroundings made it all belong. There were some interesting characters around and I won’t deny that the whisky had also something to do with my increased acceptance of long haired, long bearded, often smelly, dreadlock wearing, weed smoking bums.

I had lost the people I had come with about 30 minutes after arriving. They had left and apparently weren’t as much impressed by the whole thing as I was. Luckily I make friends easily. I found it quite surprising that I met quite a few people I knew. I’ve only been in Byron Bay for a little over 2 months. Apparently doing tax returns for most of them creates a connection.

The party ended a lot earlier than expected. At around 9.30 pm we were asked to move to the Buddha Bar next door. That was a bit of a bummer, but in the end it turned out perfectly. My whisky was finished and I suddenly remembered that my alarm was set for 6.30 am the next day to work at the dive shop. I said goodbye to some of my new found friends and headed home. During the 15 minute walk back to the dive shop I joked and chatted with loads of people going the other way. All under the impression the party was still in full swing. I didn’t want to be the party pooper so I didn’t say anything, pointed them in the right direction and wished them a good night.

I definitely had one and was glad I visited this cool and interesting place which The Arts Factory is without a doubt.