Australia / Sydney, New South Wales & the ACT / Byron BayByron Bay
Surf, Lighthouse Walks and the Easternmost Point
A surf town on the far north coast of New South Wales, an hour south of the Gold Coast: the Cape Byron lighthouse walk to mainland Australia's most easterly point, dolphins and (June to November) humpback whales off the headland, long beaches and a laid-back cafe scene, with the rainforest hinterland behind. Rooms are dear and book out from Christmas to the end of January.
Highlights
- Cape Byron lighthouse walk at sunrise
- Surf lesson at The Pass or Main Beach
- Dolphins (and whales June–November) from the headland
- Sea-kayaking with dolphins
- Bangalow's village market
- Minyon Falls in the hinterland
- Wategos Beach sunset
Things to do
- Cape Byron lighthouse walkMorning · 2h
- Beginners' surf lessonMorning · 3h
- Sea-kayak tour with dolphinsMorning · 3h
- Hinterland drive: Bangalow and Minyon FallsAfternoon · 4h
- Sunset at Wategos BeachEvening · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: September – May
Heads up
Summer School Holidays: Full and Dearest
Australian schools break from about mid-December to late January. Beach towns, camping grounds and domestic flights fill up and prices rise 30-60%, with minimum stays over Christmas and New Year. Book months ahead, or come in February or March.
- Humpback whale migration — Humpbacks pass the east coast from about June to October, resting in Hervey Bay beside K'gari from July to October, where whale-watching boats leave daily; Byron's Cape Byron headland and the Gold Coast see them from land. In Western Australia they pass Margaret River and Augusta from June to December.