Cape Byron Cape

Address: Cape Byron Headland / Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

Website: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/cape-byron-headland-nature-reserve

Hours: Headland open daylight hours; lighthouse tours are ticketed (check operator)

Cape Byron is the easternmost point of mainland Australia, located within Byron Bay in New South Wales and marked by the historic Cape Byron Lighthouse completed in 1901. The headland is a prominent coastal landmark and local tourist destination.

Visitors use well-maintained walking tracks that lead to cliff-top lookout points and the lighthouse, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the coast. The area is a known vantage for seasonal whale migration and coastal birdlife, and provides short walks and picnic areas.

The lighthouse was constructed at the turn of the 20th century to improve navigation for coastal shipping and has since become an iconic feature of the headland. The site developed into a recreational reserve popular with locals and tourists.

Situated on the headland just north of the town centre of Byron Bay, the cape sits on the New South Wales coast and is accessible by road and walking paths from the town.

• Wildlife season: The lighthouse precinct and nearby headland are popular for whale watching from May to October when migrating whales pass the coast.
• Access: A paved walking track provides an accessible route to the lighthouse with cliff-top lookouts for photography and viewing the coastline.

Cape Byron (the Byron Bay headland and lighthouse) is reached from Byron Bay town centre via Lighthouse Road. Drive to the Cape Byron Lighthouse car park (a short drive from town); from the car park the lighthouse and headland are a short walk along well‑signed tracks. The main walking trail along the headland is a short, easily followed path from the lighthouse area.

• Go at sunrise for the lighthouse viewpoint and to avoid the midday beach crowds in Byron Bay-early light also gives clearer visibility for offshore whale and dolphin watching during migration season (May-November).
• Park at the official car park near Lighthouse Road and take the paved Cape Byron walking track rather than trying to park along narrow residential roads-the trail provides several lookout points and is the intended, safest access.
• Walk the full headland loop to see the lesser‑visited northern cliffs and rainforest pockets; many visitors stop at the lighthouse platform, but continuing the loop rewards you with quieter viewpoints, birdlife and often better photographic angles.