Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk
The Cape Byron Lighthouse walk should be on the top of your Byron holiday too do list. There many scenic views and photo opportunities to discover along the way on a walk from the beach to the top. Whilst many people use this walk as an exercise route, it is equally as popular as a leisurely stroll. You'll pass through forests of palms and by beautiful ocean vistas and see dolphins, turtles and whales along the way.
Locals tip: Be sure to pack water, a camera or phone for many photo opportunities and if heading up over the winter months, some binoculars as you will see whales! There is a shop at the old light keepers cottage however you will need water for the climb. If your planing to drive up it is busy most of the time in particular with people at sunset time.
You can pick up the walk to the Lighthouse at a few different points in Byron depending on how energetic your feeling. We recommend taking your time and beginning at Main Beach with a walk along the beach to The Pass or begin from the boardwalk at Clarkes Beach along Lighthouse Road. At The Pass you can climb up the stairs to the viewing platform and watch the surfers below.
From either the boardwalk or beach enter The Pass parking lot at Palm Valley. Connect with the pathway signage by the picnic area directing you to Palm Valley. A wonderful cool rainforest walk through towering Bangalow Palms and ancient Burrawangs.
The trail will lead you past vantage points where you'll rise up above the coastline providing great views from the clifftops into the crystal clear waters below. A great spot to see turtles, stingrays, dolphins and from June -October you can easily spot the many migrating humpback whales and calves.
From Palm Valley you'll descend to Wategos Beach, if your wanting to shorten your walk, pick up the track at the eastern end of Wategos Beach however keep in mind parking at Wategos Beach is extremely limited and is also paid parking along the beachfront! The western end of Wategos Beach is shaded and has toilet facilities a good place to stop and rest. there are BBQ facilities at Wategos and its a nice spot to come back to and have a BBQ picnic at. Low tide at Wategos Beach reveals many rock pools along the eastern end of the beach for kids to explore so this is a great spot to take a break before your final climb.
From Wategos Beach you'll see on the eastern end of the beach the signage pointing you to lighthouse. The walk takes you past Little Wategos Beach which is very pretty before you start the climb to the lighthouse. There are a lot of stairs to climb so take your time! Be prepared for amazing views the lighthouse is magic to visit for sunset or sunrise.
Once you reach the lighthouse there is also a Maritime Museum in the former Lighthouse Keeper’s office at the base of the lighthouse. You can learn more about this iconic building and find out about shipwrecks and stories from the sea in the Maritime Museum open daily from 10am to 4pm.
Between 10am-3pm you can join a volunteer-run lighthouse tour to the top of the lighthouse and take advantage of the 360 degree views of the Pacific Ocean from the most easterly point on the Australian mainland.
The official whale watching season runs from May to November each year. A wide variety of migratory and non-migratory whale species inhabit east coast waters, and whale watching opportunities exist year round. You may even be lucky enough to see Migaloo the albino humpback whale pass by! You can track Migaloo's journey each year at www.migaloo.com.au
- Park entry fees: $8 per vehicle per hour/$4 per hour motorcycles at the Cape Byron Lighthouse and Information Center car park.