Thousands of teenagers have kicked off the start of their Schoolies week in style with Byron Bay packed with Year 12 leavers keen to let their hair down after a school year blighted by Covid.
The northern NSW town was buzzing with graduating Victorian Year 12 students on Saturday night, who began their celebrations as their Queensland counterparts wrapped up their week of partying on the Gold Coast.
With the Queensland border still shut to Covid-19 hotspots, students from Victoria have chosen Byron as their ideal location to let loose.
NSW's departing Year 12 students will get their own chance to let their hair down in the tourist town next weekend.
One group of young revellers cooled off with a dip in the ocean to get their week-long party started, while others took some time out on the grass near the town's famous beach.
Making a splash! Schoolies in Byron Bay has well and truly kicked off as revellers jump into the ocean to celebrate the end of school
Time out: A group of girls are seen looking after their mate during the first night of Schoolies in Byron Bay this weekend
Party time! Thousands of teenagers have descended onto the beach town for the start of a week of revelry
The town was buzzing with graduating Victorian Year 12 students on Saturday night, the first day of the second week of the end of year celebrations
Midnight swim? Some Schoolies decided to take a midnight swim as the gear up for a week of partying
A group of friends are seen enjoying a swim in the ocean and joke around in the surf in Byron Bay on Saturday night
Schoolies revellers were earlier seen wheeling packed trolleys down the street as they gear up for a week of celebrations.
A queue spilling down the street was seen outside a popular beachfront pub on Saturday night while police on horseback kept a watchful eye.
The young teens dressed to impress as they headed out for the night to celebrate an end to a year most would rather forget.
School was disrupted for many Year 12 students around the country this year thanks to the outbreak of the Covid Delta strain and subsequent lockdowns.
But not even the pandemic was enough to dampen their spirits.
Strike a pose! A group of Schoolies are seen smiling for the camera as they head out for the night in Byron Bay
The spirits were high on Saturday night as thousands headed out into the town in Byron
Anyone for pizza? One young woman is seen picking up some pizzas during a week of Schoolies in Byron
Stocking up: Many were seen collecting some groceries on Saturday. A woman in blue is pictured wheeling a trolley with a Vodka Crusier box inside
A group of mates are seen walking along the pavement in Byron Bay wheeling packed trolleys filled with drinks and supplies for the week ahead
Police are seen speaking to some Schoolies participants as they enjoy their night in Byron Bay on Saturday night
Schoolies madness: A large queue outside the Byron beach hotel was seen early on Saturday evening
Security guards are seen checking the IDs of many teenagers visiting the popular Byron Bay pub on Saturday night
Last week saw Schoolies officially kick off in the Gold
