Byron Bay, NSW, 2481
Eastern most point on the mainland
by Jo-Ann Palmer.
Cape Byron and its famous lighthouse is as far east as you can walk in mainland Australia.
Cape Byron (right) © Big Volcano Tourism.
Your next step will see you swimming with the surfers 200 metres below, unless that is, you are indulging in a tandem hang gliding session!
Steady growth in tourism infrastructure over the years, has made it possible for Byron Bay accommodation and tour operators to provide "surf to rainforest" experiences to suit all budgets.
Byron Accommodation
There are numerous types of lodgings to choose from, including luxury holiday homes and resorts, affordable family resorts, B&Bs, motels, hotels, backpacker hostels, guesthouses, holiday cottages, and over a dozen caravan and camping parks.
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Accommodation in Byron Bay and nearby
Fig Tree Retro Studio
Accommodation Directory
More Accommodation
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.
Search Byron Bay accomodation via Booking.com or choose from the links below- Aquarius Backpackers Resort
- Azabu Retreat & Spa
- Byron Bay Hotel and Apartments
- Arts Factory Lodge
- Barbara's Bed & Breakfast
- Byron Bay Rainforest Resort
- Byron Bay Beachfront Apartments
- Byron Bay YHA
- Crystalbrook Byron (formerly Byron at Byron)
- Discovery Parks – Byron Bay
- Glen Villa Resort
- Soma Byron Bay
- The Park Hotel Motel, Byron Bay
- Treetops Lakeside Apartments
- Victoria's At Ewingsdale
- Big Volcano Accommodation Directory
Local Tours & Attractions
Activities & Attractions Directory
More Tours & Attractions
- Arakwal National Park
- Broken Head Nature Reserve
- Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) Marine Reservee
- Aboriginal Cultural Concepts
- Cape Byron State Conservation Area
- Cumbebin Swamp Nature Reserve
- Byron Airwaves Hang Gliding School
- Byron Arts and Industrial Estate
- Byron Bay Golf Club
- Byron Bay Ballooning
- Byron Gliding Club
- Byron Beach Cafe - Clarkes Beach
- Byron Bay Dive Centre
- Sundive Byron Bay
- Black Dog Surf School
- GoSea Kayak
- Kool Katz Learn To Surf
- Vision Walks Eco Tours
- Big Volcano Activities & Attractions Directory
Pet Friendly Accommodation and Exercise Areas
For visitors travelling with their pets, there is a wide variety of pet friendly accommodation in the region, and local councils provide detailed information on Dog Exercise Areas and dog friendly places.
Cafes and Shopping
Cafes, bistros and restaurants abound. The retail therapy is mind boggling, with many unique retail outlets supporting the artisans and crafts people of the district.
For shopaholics, a visit to the Byron Arts and Industrial Estate is a must, showcasing the creative, unique and stylish fashions, arts and crafts inspried by the natural environment.
A thriving "mind, body & spirit" culture can provide everything from a Thai massage through to reiki, yoga, meditation and float tanks, if that's your thing.
For those with a more adventurous spirit, tandem skydiving and motorised gliding adventures and tuition, are available from near-by Tyagarah Airfield, while the Indoor Rock Climbing Centre will provide a different kind of challenge.
Or you can learn how to hang ten from the best, and be able to boast that you went surfing at Byron!
The International East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival at Easter and the Byron Bay Writers Festival, in the last week of July, swell the ranks of visitors to Byron at these times.
Attractions
Whale Watching
Cape Byron is one of the most popular places on the north coast for whale watching from June to September. Rather ironic, given that before its closure in 1962, the Byron Bay Whaling Station was one of four on the east coast catching and processing whales during the migration.
Cape Byron Lighthouse Photo © courtesy of Dede Callichy - See Clearly.
Cape Byron State Conservation Area
Cape Byron State Conservation Area includes the Cape Byron Lighthouse precinct and encompasses a conservation reserve of the surrounding headland.
The Cape Byron Headland Reserve Trust manages an excellent information centre, and you can stroll from the lighthouse to the beach through the 47 hectares of protected remnant coastal vegetation communities.
The clifftop walking track winds its way through diverse plant communities, offering panoramic views of the ocean and north coast hinterland, and the lookouts are great spots for spotting turtles and dolphins,
and watching out for humpback whales on their annual migration.
The Cape's lighthouse has stood on the most easterly point of the Australian mainland for more than a century, and these days you can take a tour of the tower.
A vehicle entry and parking fee applies to the Cape Byron Lighthouse precinct, and nearby car parks.
Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) Marine Reserve
A major attraction inside the Cape Byron Marine Park, Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) Marine Reserve is a popular
scuba diving location close to the mainland, where you can take scuba and kayaking lessons with experienced operators who are also knowledgable about the natural environment.
Nature Reserves and Conservation Areas
The scenery here is awesome! So are the waves. But when you get water logged, sun burnt and bored with whales and dolphins, the cool shade of
the "Big Scrub" remnant rainforests and nature reserves are waiting to be discovered.
Stretching south along Tallow Beach from Cape Byron for nearly two kilometers, the creation of Arakwal National Park
is the result of the first indigenous land use agreement in Australia. The area provides habitat for significant flora and fauna species, including wintering sites for nomadic and migratory birds, and is
also home to the Cibum Margil Swamp, a declared coastal wetland.
Right in downtown Byron, just off Butler Street you'll find the Cumbebin Wetland Sanctuary, while Broken Head Nature Reserve
is just 15 minutes drive to the south.
Or you can take a 4 wheel drive tour with a National Parks approved or ecotourism accredited tour operator to the World Heritage listed Border Group of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, only an hour's drive away through the pastures and macadamia plantations via Mullumbimby and Nimbin.
Getting to Byron Bay
Road
Getting to the region is easy: Byron Bay is approximately 780 kilometres - about 10 hours drive north from Sydney and
about 90 minutes drive south from Brisbane, via the Pacific Highway.
Driving options include the Pacific Highway, New England Highway and Summerland Way in New South Wales, and Pacific Highway and the inland Mount Lindesay Highway route from Queensland.
Air
Domestic flights operate from all capital cities to Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport and Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta. A number of international carriers servicing SE Asia, New Zealand and the Pacific fly into Gold Coast Airport.
A variety of daily airport transfer services are available to selected localities in the region, and some also offer services to Brisbane International Airport.
Intrastate flights are also available to Lismore Airport, with all airports having car hire facilities or local rental services available nearby.
Coach/Rail
Daily coach services operate to Byron Bay from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and daily or overnight train from Sydney to Brisbane via coach transfer at Casino.
