It was Friday night. The CBD was still buzzing with people and fun. He might be heading home to the hostel, but by the time he approached, he might find the whole street dark and quiet. His mates were still at Cheeky Monkeys. Anyone still there might have plans early the next day, and were ready for bed. What would he do? He did not enter his room, that's for sure.
In less than a hour, he was somewhere relaxed enough to be messaging someone in Belgium. Did he not have someone local to talk to? Was anyone around him by now, or was he still alone? In someone's room, sitting on the beach, in someone's car?
When his hostel mates returned later that night, they did not run into him.
He was not spotted again by cctv back towards town after disappearing at 11ish, unless the police is not telling.
His phone however kept pinging around Byron, until stopping somewhere near Cape Byron and the lighthouse, more than 12 hours later.
Now the police is suspending this search. No sign of phone, no sign of him, no sign of foul play.
I was thinking he went up there to wait for sunrise, but now I agree and tend to think it pretty silly to walk up there early and wait for a few hours. Not to mention the path must be really dark and lonely at that time. Unless he has company. Going there in a car.... Seems more plausible.
But someone who knows him well have to answer that question. Everyone is different and spends their time in different ways.