Cape Byron
Byron Bay, New South Wales, 2481
Mainland Australia’s most easterly point, Cape Byron juts out into the Pacific Ocean above the seaside town of Byron Bay, topped with the historic Cape Byron Lighthouse. A walking loop delivers sweeping views of the bay and beaches, while the headland and life-filled waters below it form the Cape Byron State Conservation Area.
The basics
Built in 1901 and still in operation today, the Cape Byron Lighthouse dominates the promontory. Many visitors come to see its maritime museum—or even stay in the heritage-listed Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages nearby. You can also explore the area via the Cape Byron Walking Track, which runs about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) around the headland, through terrain from rainforest to grassland. Cape Byron stands 308 feet (94 meters) above the ocean, making it a great location for spotting whales in season, while the sign proclaiming it Australia’s most easterly point is an ever-popular photo opp.
Things to know before you go
Cape Byron is a must for photographers, Instagrammers, and geography fans, and also a good choice for wildlife lovers.
There are a couple of cafés on the cape, while the lighthouse offers bathrooms and water.
The section of the Cape Byron Walking Track between Captain Cook Lookout and Brooke Drive is wheelchair accessible. There’s no wheelchair access inside the Lighthouse, but only the area around it.
How to get there
Cape Byron rises from the beachside town of Byron Bay, with the most easterly point about a 2-mile (3-kilometer) walk northeast of the town center. There’s no public transportation, but you can rent bicycles or a car, or join a tour.
When to get there
Byron Bay is warm year-round, so there’s no bad time to visit Cape Byron. Whale watchers will want to arrive between May and November, when humpback whales pass through. The area is at its busiest and prices are highest during Australia’s long summer vacation in December and January, so the spring season (October and November) may be a better option.
The Cape Byron Marine Park
Stretching 23 miles (37 kilometers) along the coast of New South Wales, the Cape Byron Marine Park is a mecca for snorkelers, scuba divers, and whale watchers alike. The Julian Rocks are home to a wealth of weird and wonderful marine life, including nurse, leopard, and wobbegong sharks, seals, sea turtles, and (when in season) humpback whales.
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