When traveling to Queensland, Australia, many backpackers and tourists will visit popular destinations like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. However, there is another must-see destination that even Australians flock to, which is Byron Bay, the easternmost point in Australia.
Byron Bay not only boasts a lighthouse and national park, but it is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Although it is located in New South Wales, it is very close to Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Queensland, making it easily accessible for a day trip!
Moreover, nearby Point Danger serves as the border between Queensland and New South Wales, making it a popular spot to combine with a visit to Byron Bay. So let's introduce both destinations in this article!
1. Cape Byron Lighthouse
Byron Bay is the easternmost region of Australia, and Cape Byron Lighthouse is the easternmost lighthouse in the country. It is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise and has been praised as a "must-visit destination in Australia." Besides its stunning views, its unique geographical location adds a sense of accomplishment to your travels, similar to visiting the southernmost point of Tasmania. So if you're visiting eastern Australia, don't miss out on this unforgettable experience!
◎ Address: Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481
◎ Transportation: No public transport is available; visitors must drive themselves (Find Car Hire Deals | Car rental in Australia)
◎ Parking: Limited to about 10 spaces near the lighthouse, with additional parking requiring a longer walk. Parking fees are AUD$8 per car per day and AUD$4 per motorcycle per day.
◎ Recommended Activities: Byron Bay Skydiving | Byron Bay Skydiving | Byron Bay Day Tour | Byron Bay Half-Day Tour
◎ Official Website: Cape Byron Lighthouse
◎ Nearby Accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(At the entrance, there is a map, parking fee information, and more. Although the driveway opens at 8 am, you can still access the Cape Byron Lighthouse on foot through the car park. Keep in mind that parking spaces are limited, and the sunrise is a popular activity, so it's tough to find an empty spot after 6 am. If you don't want to walk too far, plan your trip accordingly.)
(On this day, we set off from Brisbane at 4 am and arrived at the Cape Byron Lighthouse after a two-hour drive. The sunrise was expected around 6:30 am, but we could already see the gradient colors of the sunrise!)
(The area near the Cape Byron Lighthouse features towering terrain, with fences set up to prevent visitors from getting too close to the edge. There are also staff members patrolling the area periodically, so safety should be your priority when visiting.)
(Next, we headed towards the lighthouse. Although it was only around 6 am, many people were already waiting there, proving it's a popular tourist spot!)
(Finally, we saw the sunrise gradually appearing, and the feeling was indescribable. It was beautiful and energizing!)
(After the sun came up, the nearby sea, buildings, and terrain became clearer, offering a different visual experience. There are also trails near the Cape Byron Lighthouse that let you "truly reach the easternmost point," but I think the view from the lighthouse is more beautiful.)
(Ending this sunrise journey with a final photo at the lighthouse!)
(After leaving "Cape Byron," the Byron Bay town center is located at the foot of the mountain. Here, you'll find many hipster-style cafes, brunch restaurants, ice cream shops, and more. If you happen to visit on the first Sunday of every month, there's a large "Byron Bay Community Market" in the town center!)
(Next to the Byron Bay town center, you'll find "Main Beach" and "Byron Beach." These are popular beaches among Australians for leisure activities. There are also many highly-rated safe surfing spots nearby. If you're into surfing, we definitely recommend visiting.)
2. Point Danger
Moving on, after leaving Byron Bay, we visited "Point Danger." The most prominent landmark here is the "Point Danger Light," also known as the "Captain Cook Memorial Light." As the name suggests, it commemorates Captain Cook's voyage and his discovery of Australia's east coast in the 18th century. In addition to that, there are many beautiful views, beaches, parks, and cafes in the area, making it a great spot for everyone to spend some leisurely time!
◎ Address: Captain Cook Memorial, Tweed Heads, New South Wales
◎ Transportation: Take the train to "Varsity Lakes Train Station," then transfer to bus 760 to "Griffith St at Coolangatta East." Walk for about 15 minutes. If departing from "Gold Coast Airport," take bus 700/760 to "Griffith St at Coolangatta East" and walk for about 15 minutes. (Find Car Hire Deals | Car rental in Australia)
◎ Official Website: Point Danger Lighthouse
◎ Nearby Accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare & Save)
(The very noticeable Point Danger Light stands tall in the park, serving as the area's most distinctive landmark.)
(There are cafes nearby for visitors to enjoy the scenery and savor delicious food.)
(Wishing well)
(There are several viewing platforms in the park for visitors to enjoy the beautiful ocean views. In Australia, it's common to see many seemingly endless coastlines or beaches, such as the "Sunshine Coast" and "Whitehaven Beach." Nonetheless, visiting these places always feels very relaxing.)
(Many people stroll and rest along the coastal park, creating an atmosphere that truly embodies the Australian style!)
(Beneath the Point Danger Light is a globe with Australia as the main focus. The wall also provides historical background and related stories. The north, south, east, and west directions are marked, and the border between Queensland and New South Wales is naturally painted on the floor!)
That's it for the sights and travelogue of Byron Bay and Point Danger. After concluding this leg of our journey, we headed to "Springbrook National Park." If you're interested or want to plan a similar itinerary, feel free to refer to our experience. Goodbye, Byron Bay and Point Danger!