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Coastal Walk to Byron Bay Lighthouse

By Craig | October 4, 2018 | This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Read our Disclosure.

I love a good coastal walk.

There’s our favourite one in Sydney, Bondi to Coogee, and we’ve even done a moonwalk in the Royal National Park.

So, arriving in Byron Bay on a sunny day and in desperate need of some exercise, what’s one to do?

I haven’t spent a lot of time in Byron. I’ve visited only twice, once for New Years Eve way back in 2001 when Caz and I first stated dating, and the second time was for the legendary Bluesfest with our media passes.

But every time I have, I’ve felt as if I’ve walked into a place of higher vibrational energy.

If you somehow haven’t heard of Byron Bay, it’s that legendary beach town on the Sydney to Cairns road trip. It’s that one place on the NSW north coast that attracts thousands every year from all over the globe. Many never leave.

Table of Contents

    • Why do they come?
    • The coastal walk to the Byron Bay Lighthouse would take care of that.
    • The reward at the top at the Byron Bay Lighthouse is worth it.
  • The Byron Bay Lighthouse
    • Have you visited Byron Bay?
    • Do you love a coastal walk?

Why do they come?

The pro-surfers to surf and the rookie surfers to learn. They come for the National Parks, the arts and culture, the markets, the festivals, the food, the shopping, the health retreats, to be seen, to hang with hippies, and the vibe.

Byron Bay has a lot going for it.

Unfortunately our visit on this occasion was a short one, just one day due to further commitments on our road trip and we had a cruise to catch in Brisbane.

As we had already spent plenty of time sitting down in the car on the drive up from Sydney, it was time to stretch the legs.

The coastal walk to the Byron Bay Lighthouse would take care of that.

We started the two hour return coastal walk from Byron Bay Beach, just in front of the Beach Hotel, Byron’s famous pub (which is a good plan so you can finish with a cold beer and lunch) and headed towards the southern end of the beach to pick up the stairs and boardwalk.

byron bay
Byron Bay Beach

The boardwalk wraps around the beach before reaching a narrower, more natural trail around headlands and through coastal forests offering spectacular views.

byron bay

We weren’t anticipating there to be many stairs – big planning error as we had Kalyra in the stroller in between her stretches of walking. Little Savannah was taken care of as we had our Kelty hiking carrier – a travel essential we never leave home without.

She loves riding up high on daddy’s back. We’d forgotten her hat so the sun hood was in use and she had to settle for sneaky views out the side.

byron bay

Along the way, we passed Wategos Beach, one of our favourite beaches in Australia.

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overlooking Wategos Beach

On a calm day when the water is crystal clear, the waves are cleanly breaking out the back, the sun is beating down, Wategos is just a magic beach.

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byron bay

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Wategos Beach

Of course we received a few strange looks along the way from passers-by who thought we were pretty hardcore carrying the stroller up the several flights of stairs. Luckily it flattened out with plenty of vantage points to take in a rest and the ocean views.

byron bay

Further along the path, just before you reach the lighthouse, you will pass by the most easterly point of Australia’s mainland, Cape Byron, and, of course, you have to stop for the obligatory photo.

The cape was named by Captain James Cook on passing here on 15 May 1770, to honour British explorer John Byron who circumnavigated the globe from 1764 to 1766.

byron bay

Once you get towards the top of the lighthouse you may even see random goats chowing on grass. If your timing is right, Cape Byron Headland is a great spot for watching dolphins, turtles, surfers and even humpback whales on their annual migration.

byron bay

If you’re not up for the walk, the easy option is to simply drive up from the other side on Lighthouse Road. But if you can, give the coastal walk a go. Breathe in the fresh air, see the changing colours, hear the crashing waves, and walk amongst the coastal forests.

The reward at the top at the Byron Bay Lighthouse is worth it.

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Kalyra happy to be at the top

The Byron Bay Lighthouse

Built from concrete blocks the Cape Byron Lighthouse was finished in 1901 and is the most easterly lighthouse in Australia, and one of the most powerful. It’s located about 3 kilometres northeast of the town of Byron Bay.

Cape Byron Lighthouse attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year and has become an icon in Byron Bay. Housing at the site includes the head lighthouse keeper’s residence and two assistant keeper’s cottages which are available for overnight rental.

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keepers cottage    Photo Credit:  ByronBayPro
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Aerial view    Photo credit: ByronBayLighthouse.com.au

The top makes for a great spot to enjoy an ice cream or a coffee and take a rest before trekking back down.

Just don’t do what we did, BRING CASH.

The shop doesn’t take plastic. No cards! No ATM. Not a good scenario when for the past hour you’ve been harping on to your kids if they hang in there and enjoy the ride, daddy will have a nice treat for them at the end.

Hmm, and don’t think for a minute I wasn’t a bit peeved as well. I do love me a coffee. And an ice cream!

Kalyra coined the walk “The Stroller Roller Coaster” for the rides down the hills. So don’t forget your stroller. Where’s the fun in simply walking?

byron bay

Have you visited Byron Bay?

Do you love a coastal walk?

 

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you might also enjoy

  • Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk, NSW, Australia Doing the Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk
  • Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia 5 Byron Bay Beaches You Must Set Foot On
  • Byron Bay, Australia 12 Reasons Byron Bay is a Great Family Destination

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About Craig

Craig Makepeace is the co-founder of yTravel Blog. He's been traveling and living around the world since 2002 and believes that life is all about accumulating memories and moments with his family, not just possessions.

He's a travel addict, sports fanatic, beach lover, and passionate craft beer drinker!

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  1. Sebastian @ Off-The-Path.com

    6 years ago

    If I wouldn’t been hit by a car in Sydeny during my holidays I today would probably be living in Byron. In 2008 I was living and working in Brisbane and was in Byron Bay almost every second weekend for a good surf, coastal walks or kayaking in the bay.

    A humpback whale once lifted my kayak near Julian’s rock. I will never forget this experience! I really need to get back to Australia. Way too long since the last time I’ve been to what I used to call home!

    Reply to Sebastian
    • Craig

      6 years ago

      Hey Sebastian,

      Wow, that’s too bad about your accident. And amazing experience with that whale. Hope you make it back down under sometime soon!

      Reply to Craig
  2. Ayelet - All Colores

    6 years ago

    Beautiful view – and it looks like you had it all to yourselves. Now I feel like leaving the computer and going to see “my” beach – it just rained, so it’ll probably be extra beautiful. I like Kalyra’s name for the road down, by the way.

    Reply to Ayelet
    • Craig

      6 years ago

      Hi Ayelet,

      Ha ha, yeah she enjoyed that ride!

      Reply to Craig
  3. Andi of My Beautiful Adventures

    6 years ago

    Gosh you live in such a beautiful part of the world!

    Reply to Andi
    • Craig

      6 years ago

      Yes, we are very fortunate Andi. Come on down!

      Reply to Craig
  4. priyankapandey

    6 years ago

    thanks for nice information this is really very helpful for visitors.

    Reply to priyankapandey

Trackbacks

  1. Impressions: Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk - Food & Photos around the worldFood & Photos says:
    July 3, 2013 at 2:00 am

    […] Coastal Walk to Byron Bay Lighthouse by ytravel […]

    Reply to Impressions:
Hi! We're Caz & Craig

Travel addicts living life unplugged and proving travel doesn’t stop after kids.

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