Byron Bay︱The Easternmost Point of Mainland Australia
When traveling around Queensland, Australia, most backpackers and tourists head straight for popular holiday hotspots like the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast. However, just across the state border lies an iconic destination that locals and Aussies love to visit: mainland Australia's easternmost point, Byron Bay.
Byron Bay boasts a historic lighthouse, coastal national park walking tracks, and shores once voted among the world's most beautiful beaches. Although technically located in New South Wales (NSW), it is remarkably close to Queensland's Brisbane and the Gold Coast, making it an easy and rewarding day trip destination!
Nearby, Point Danger marks the coastal border between Queensland and New South Wales. Because travelers often combine these two spectacular spots into a single day trip, I'll introduce both of them in this travel guide!
1. Cape Byron Lighthouse
Byron Bay is the easternmost region of mainland Australia, and Cape Byron Lighthouse is naturally mainland Australia's most easterly lighthouse. It is renowned as the premier spot to watch the sunrise. Often hailed as a "must-visit destination in Australia," it offers not only breathtaking coastal vistas but also a special sense of travel accomplishment from standing at a geographical extreme—much like visiting Tasmania at Australia's southernmost edge. If you are exploring Australia's east coast, make sure to visit Cape Byron to create some truly unforgettable travel memories!
♁ Address: Cape Byron Lighthouse, Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481
♁ Admission: Free
♁ Transportation: No direct public transit; accessible only by car (Australia Car Rental Guide | Compare Rental Car Rates)
♁ Parking: Only about 10 parking bays right by the lighthouse; overflow parking is located further down the road, requiring a walk uphill. Parking costs AUD$8/car/day or AUD$4/motorcycle/day.
♁ Recommended Activities: Byron Bay Tandem Skydive (Option 1) | Byron Bay Tandem Skydive (Option 2) | Byron Bay Day Tour | Byron Bay Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
♁ Official Website: Cape Byron Lighthouse
♁ Nearby Accommodation: Booking.com︱Agoda︱Hotels.com︱Expedia（Compare Hotel Prices）
(The information board at the entrance car park displays a walking map of the headland and parking fees. While the vehicle boom gate opens at 8:00 AM, visitors can park earlier and walk up the coastal track to the lighthouse for sunrise. Note that parking spaces near the top are very limited, and sunrise is extremely popular. Bays are usually packed by 6:00 AM, so plan to arrive early if you want to avoid a long walk!)
(On this morning, we hit the road from Brisbane at 4:00 AM and arrived at Cape Byron Lighthouse after a two-hour drive. Sunrise was around 6:30 AM, and the sky was already blushing with beautiful gradient colors!)
(Cape Byron features rugged, steep cliff faces. Safety railings are set up to keep visitors from venturing too close to the precipice, and park rangers patrol regularly. When visiting, always prioritize safety and don't risk your life just for a dramatic photo!)
(We made our way up toward the lighthouse. Even though it was barely 6:00 AM, a noticeable crowd had already gathered to watch the sunrise—proving just how famous this spot is!)
(Finally, the morning sun rose gently above the open sea. It is hard to put into words just how magical and energizing that moment felt!)
(Once the sun climbed into the sky, the turquoise waters, surrounding cliffs, and heritage buildings became clear and vibrant—a completely different visual treat. There are trails leading from Cape Byron Lighthouse right down to the marker for mainland Australia's most easterly point, though I found the elevated view from the lighthouse grounds to be the most stunning.)
(A final photo with Cape Byron Lighthouse to cap off our sunrise adventure!)
(After descending from Cape Byron, you'll enter downtown Byron Bay. The town is packed with bohemian chic cafes, brunch spots, artisan ice cream parlors, and boutique shops. If you happen to visit on the first Sunday of the month, do not miss the bustling Byron Bay Community Market!)
(Right beside the town center lie Main Beach and Byron Beach, favorite leisure spots for locals. There are also several acclaimed, safe surf breaks nearby—if you love surfing, this is absolute paradise.)
2. Point Danger Lighthouse
After leaving Byron Bay, we made our way back north and stopped at Point Danger. The most prominent landmark here is the Point Danger Lighthouse, also known as the Captain Cook Memorial Light. As the name suggests, it commemorates Captain James Cook's epic voyage and his sighting of Australia's east coast in the 18th century. Beyond its maritime history, the area features sprawling ocean lookouts, golden beaches, manicured coastal parklands, and relaxed cafes, making it the perfect spot to unwind!
♁ Address: Captain Cook Memorial, Tweed Heads, New South Wales
♁ Public Transit: Take the train to Varsity Lakes Train Station, then transfer to bus 760 and alight at "Griffith St at Coolangatta East", followed by a 15-minute walk. If coming from Gold Coast Airport, take bus 700 or 760 directly to "Griffith St at Coolangatta East" and walk about 15 minutes (Transit Guide | Compare Rental Car Rates)
♁ Official Website: Point Danger Lighthouse
♁ Nearby Accommodation: Booking.com︱Agoda︱Hotels.com︱Expedia（Compare Hotel Prices）
(Standing prominently in the coastal park, the Point Danger Lighthouse is the area's most defining architectural landmark.)
(A seaside cafe nearby allows visitors to enjoy good food and coffee while gazing over the coastline.)
(A wishing well monument situated in the park.)
(Several viewing platforms along the headland offer incredible ocean panoramas. While Australia is blessed with endless stretches of stunning coastlines—like the Sunshine Coast and Whitehaven Beach—standing here and soaking in the sea breeze never ceases to bring a deep sense of peaceful comfort.)
(Many locals and visitors stroll, relax, and picnic along the cliffside lawns. This laid-back, serene tempo is truly the essence of the classic Australian lifestyle!)
(Directly beneath the Point Danger Lighthouse sits an Australia-centered bronze globe. Surrounding plaques explain the maritime history and compass directions. On the ground lies the official state border line dividing Queensland and New South Wales—you can literally stand with one foot in each state!)
That concludes our visit and travel highlights for Byron Bay and Point Danger! After wrapping up our morning here, we continued on to Springbrook National Park. If you're planning an east coast road trip, definitely keep these coastal gems on your itinerary. Farewell, Byron Bay and Point Danger!