Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia +61 2 6685 5955 Website 9am – 4:30pm Byron Bay Campervan Hire

beltsfigures (contributor)

This is the lighthouse monument at Byron Bay. I have read that it is the most easterly point on the mainliand of Austrlalia.
There is a great museum about the lighthouse keepers from Australia up here. As well, this vantage point affords a view that is amazing of beaches on both sides of the point.
Sometimes there are paragliders launching from the top of the hill as well.
This place is worth seeing and it is free except for the parking right by the museum.

sliochkooky (contributor)

Byron Bay’s most prominent neighbor is the Cape Byron Lighthouse, located out to the east of town.

Situated about 100 meters above the sheer wall of rock with the Pacific Ocean below, the Cape Byron lighthouse really is beautiful. It was designed and built in 1899, and was commissioned in 1901… after a one-day wait, due to of all things… bad weather keeping Sir John See the honorable away because of no lighthouse to guide him in!

Written Jun 13, 2005

Website: http://www.byron-bay.com/byronbay/lighthouse.html

tanbusy (contributor)

Located just past the Byron Bay lighthouse is a rock cliff that is geographically the eastern most place in all of Australia. What a unique experience, and it did not even take any effort!

Byron Bay is a beautiful place to have this landmark, and I was glad Sarah and I could share it!

The landscape around you is really breathtaking, between the jagged rocks, the pounding surf, and the pristine walking trails, you will enjoy seeing this.

Written Jun 13, 2005

cappingmonoxide (contributor)

The headland above Byron Bay is the most easterly point in Australia and is the home for a magnificent Lighthouse. Not only is it the most easterly point , the location is renown for its surfing beach and is situated on the northern New South Wales coast only 2 hours drive from Queensland’s Gold Coast. The region has outstanding hinterland with many historic small towns which are well worth spending a few days to visit.

Written Dec 23, 2005

entropyloosen (contributor)

The Byron Bay icon is the Lighthouse, found at the extreme easterly end of the Bay and which is the most easterly part of Australia. Built in 1901, the structure dominates the surrounds and can be seen for miles around (the whole point! :)).
The area around the Lighthouse is the Cape Bryon Natural Reserve – steep pathways leading up from Clarke’s beach (and others) below. Fantastic views to be had of the coastline in both directions and, if you’re there at the right time, chances are you will see plenty of whales out to sea (June-Sept).

You can walk up from the beaches (pretty steep though!) or you can drive to the top of the headland (car park cost A$5)

pukerite (contributor)

Byron Bay Lighthouse is not only a beacon for ships at sea but seems to guide every visitor to the town up for its picturesque position with views out across the bay and inland to the hinterland.

Built in 1901 Byron Bay Lighthouse is a very picturesue lighthouse with lovely period lighthouse-keepers quarters now used as rental cottages (see my accommodation tips). The lighthouse is only about 400m from the most Easterly Point of the Australian Mainland and can be reached by the road vis Wategos Beach or via the walking track linking Palm Valley with Wategos Beach, the Most Easterly Point and the lighthouse itself.

The lighthouse is still an important part of Australia’s marine safety network and consequently is not open for tours but I have head that it may open up within a year for small-group tours.

The views from the lighthouse are stunning as you can look due east across the Pacific Ocean, North across the white sweep of Byron Bay itself and the imposing Burringbar Range (a mountain range about 20kms North of Byron Bay) or South to the coastal towns of Lennox Heads and Ballina.

In winter the Humpback Whales are migrating North along the coastline from their home in Antarctica to their breeding grounds off Harvey Bay – there are wale watchers keeping count of the whales for scientific purposes and if you are patient enough you may catch a glimpse of one…bring your Binoculars!

pantsconk (contributor)

There is quite a good visitors centre at the Lighthouse now, it is located in one of the old lighthouse-keepers cottages just back the road from the lighthouse itself.

They have some good displays of the lighthouse and local history. If you are interested in the importance of the lighthouse and its history then you will enjoy the centre.

Entry is free of chanrge.
There is also a small gift-shop with (rather ordinary) sounvenirs of Byron Bay.

measurewren (contributor)

Built in 1901 at Cape Byron, the lighthouse is situated at the most Easterly point of the Australian mainland. It is a beautiful building that has warned ships away from the headland for generations.

This point offers spectacular views in both directions and the paths in place offer visitors a beautiful walk right down to the waters edge. From late May to early October this is the perfect place for whale watching. I can’t even remember the last time I didnt see dolphins frolicking off the coast at this point. Make sure you bring your camera along for some nice photo opportunities. Click on the pic and enlarge it to get a proper feel of the kind of landscape Cape Byron offers.

The Cape Byron Trust run tours of the lighthouse and can be contacted for details on +61 (0) 2 6685 8565.

Latest Images of Lighthouse, Byron Bay

 N Head Track, New Brighton NSW 2483, Australia +61 2 6620 9300  Website Byron Bay Campervan Hire

mercygigantic (contributor)

Across the river from the town of Brunswick Heads is the Nature Reserve, a mixture of coastal and river walks along with natural bush vegetation.

It’s a great spot to distance yourself from people and find that virtually deserted bit of beach. Although only on the other bank of the river, there is no direct access from Brunswick Heads itself (other than by private boat). Therefore, access involves driving out onto the Pacific Highway, crossing the river and then driving back along the northern banks of the river, the ‘suburbs’ of New Brighton and finally a short drive along an untarmac’ed road (in good condition though). Takes about 20-30 minutes.

Latest Images of Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve, Byron Bay

 1 Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia +61 2 6685 6496 12am – 11:59pm Byron Bay Campervan Hire

lumpyintestine (contributor)

I went for an early morning walk on the beach but experienced some unexpected rough weather which revealed a different aspect to the normal tourist expectation. There had been a storm during the night and I caught the tail end, dark sky, squalls and a rough sea. However I enjoyed my walk on the beachfront and remembered a previous walk several years earlier when the sun shone.

Updated Mar 11, 2007

Address: Beachfront, Town Centre.

alienhearty (contributor)

For those that do not like sitting on the sand under the fierce sun you can move onto the parklands overlooking the beach. Nicely grassed with plenty of trees for shade will allow you to enjoy your day at the beach with less than 100 metres walk to the water’s edge.

updatecrisps (contributor)

Take the opportunity to go for a walk along Main Beach and climb up the boarwalk onto Fishermens’ Lookout for stunning sunsets if the weather is nice. If you are planning to take pictures and it is the peak season (NSW and Q’ld summer holidays) then plan to get there a bit before sunset to get a good position.

You will be able to look out to the North-West and see the Burringbar Range and Mount Warning lit with the background of the setting sun…. just stunning!

Latest Images of Beaches, Byron Bay

 9 Marvell St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia +61 2 6685 8333 Website 9am – 5pm Byron Bay Campervan Hire

programtacky (contributor)

Byron Bay is a perfect place for a spot of whale watching. Humpback whales begin their annual migration in May/June when they head north to warmer waters to breed. They return south around September/October when they often come into the Bay and breach and frolic with their calves. A truly amazing sight.

There are a number of companies around Byron that offer whale watching tours and take you out on a boat so you are up close and personal. A good example is Underwater which is endorsed by New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The whales are also visible from the shore so if you are in the ares during these months keep your eyes peeled. I could only find a piccy of a pod of about 25 dolphins I saw off shore there recently so if you can see them I hope you enjoy. Dolphins are also a regular fixture of the landscape. Enlarge the pic and see if you can make them out

Latest Images of Whale Watching, Byron Bay

 North Byron Parklands, Australia Website Byron Bay Campervan Hire

biologyfling (contributor)

Splendour in the Grass is unquestionably a one-of-a-kind festival on the Australian music circuit, spread out over two days and located in scenic Byron Bay.

In spite of the increased popularity with bigger crowds every year, it doesn’t seem to detract from the festival’s general joyful-happy-go-lucky atmosphere.

If you get the opportunity to make the journey to Byron Bay for Splendour in the Grass, I strongly recommend you take the trip.

Latest Images of Splendour In The Grass, Byron Bay

 56 Lawson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia +61 416 222 344 Website 8am – 8pm Byron Bay Campervan Hire

manfarrum (contributor)

Highly recommended is taking a sea-kayak trip from Clarks Beach around The Pass and into Little Wategos Beach – a stone’s throw off Australia’s Most Easterly Point.

Byron Bay Sea Kayaks run multiple trips per day during the peak summer season (November – February) and they cost around $60 per person. You will then meet up at Clarks Beach and get kitted out in life vests, helmets and paddles and will take the boats down to the beach to load. The trip is about 4 hours and takes you at a leisurely pace out past the Pass where you are likely to see Dolphins (we only saw them about 100m away since they were busy hearding a school of pilchards in for a snack and weren’t interested in playing with Kayakers!). Once around the Passs you paddle to Little Wategos for a snack and drink with time for a little walk up to the lookouts etc before heading back onto the boats for the paddle back to the Pass.

No experience is necessary and it is a great way to see ‘the Bay’.

Latest Images of Sea Kayak, Byron Bay

 Butler Street Reserve, Butler Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia +61 2 6685 6807 Website 8am – 3pm(Sunday Only) Byron Bay Campervan Hire

withvomer (contributor)

Every Sunday there is a market held in the Nothern Rivers Region – the town of the market rotates each week and you will need to check where the market is on (best place is to go to the Tourist Info centre near the railway station).

The markets were on at Byron when we went and the stalls are wide and varied from local producers selling honey, passionfruit, bananas, vegetables etc to art and craft stalls with some pretty innovative pieces, to the ‘white elephant’ jumble stalls and the “string-your-own-beads” places for the kids and kids-at -heart!

A must-do is to purchase a fresh sugar-can and ginger juice – the stall owners have a mangle kind of device and the feed the raw dugar can through and collect the juice which they then add ginger essence to and lots of ice – YUM!

Latest Images of Markets, Byron Bay

 Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia Website Byron Bay Campervan Hire

doyltsyrian (contributor)

Wategos Beach sits in between the main stretch of Byron Bay and the Lighthouse and is a great beach for surfing. At the moment the main part of Byron Bay has lost a bit if sand (due to the natural shifting of sand around the coastal areas) and at low tide you have to walk quite a way out to find any good waves.

Wategos Beach, however is really pretty at the moment and great for swimming. It is also home to some of the most expensive property in Byron Bay – one place was rented out this summer for $11,000 per week! In spite of the housing, the beach is uninterrupted and the housing has been restrained in terms of height – a great practice in beautiful coastal areas like Byron Bay (do a search on Gold Coast, Australia for some good examples of how to ruin a beautiful sea-scape by over-development!)

To reach Wategos you will have to drive in along Lihthouse Rd but parking is quite scarce in peak times so my recommendation is to park at Palm Valley and take the 400m walk up over the headland to get stunning views of the beach (this is where by main Byron Bay photo was taken).

Latest Images of Wategos Beach, Byron Bay

 9 Marvell St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia +61 2 6685 8333 Website Byron Bay Campervan Hire

tidalknuckles (contributor)

Meet at the Byron Bay dive centre.
Pay $60 per person
Get fitted with fins, snorkel, goggles and wetsuit
Drive in a 4WD for 15 minutes to the beach landing
Board a small rubber dive boat
Go out 1.5 kms to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve
Jump into the ocean and snorkel for up to 50 minutes
Enjoy the aquatic life including fish, sting rays and sea turtles

Latest Images of Sea Turtle Snorkel, Byron Bay

 Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia +61 2 6685 7755 Website 8am – 5pm Byron Bay Campervan Hire

miserlyhigher (contributor)

Julian Rocks is about 2.5km from the mainland and is a main feature of the coastal landscape of Byron. It is visible from almost everywhere on the mainland. If you are at main beach look directly out to sea or if you are up at the lighthouse look down and to your left.

According to a story from the Bundjalung people a jealous husband threw his spear at the canoe of his wife and her lover. The canoe broke in two and sank to the bottom of the ocean. Only the back and the front of the boat stuck out of the water, creating this rock formation that was named by Captain Cook who sailed through these waters in 1776.

Julian Rocks has water temperatures and currents changing throughout the year there are many seasonal visitors. For example, the grey nurse sharks come during the winter months, presumably to breed. And then there are of course the ‘regulars’ like different species of wobbegong sharks, turtles, cuttlefish, schools of white spotted eagle rays, egg-cowry shells, moray eels, banner fish, giant guitar fish and shovel-nose rays. It is only a three minute boat ride out to the rocks and quite often you will find dolphins surfing the waves alongside.

It is a really unique experience and one that I would recommend. Dive companies such as Planula operate regular dives including instruction and equipment.

Latest Images of Julian Rocks, Byron Bay