Cape Byron State Conservation Area
Cape Byron State Conservation Area is a state conservation area in Byron Bay, New South Wales. It's home to the easternmost point of the Australian mainland.
Understand
History
The conservation area is named after Cape Byron which was named by British explorer Captain James Cook, when he passed the area on 15 May 1770, to honour British explorer John Byron who circumnavigated the globe in HMS Dolphin from 1764 to 1766.
Landscape
The landscape of the conservation area is very similar to other isthmus', and flat and low in altitude near the coastal areas while being very hilly near the centre of the isthmus, and around the visitor centre and lighthouse.
Flora and fauna
Some of the fauna included in the conservation area include the Australian pelican, the brush turkey, and the fairy wren, while some of the flora included in the park are the Wonga wonga vine or the Cabbage palm. During the whale migration months between May and November, it's not that all uncommon to see whales, especially given the elevation of Cape Byron.
Climate
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The climate of Cape Byron State Conservation Area is a typical coastal climate, is never gets too hot, and never gets too cold. It can get quite windy in the afternoons outside summer, but a small jacket will do you fine.
The driest month is September, while the wettest month is April.
Even if it's wet, unlike national parks, it often doesn't go for very long, and ceases after about a few hours at worst, and even that's not very common. Carrying an umbrella isn't also greatly needed, but may come in handy if it's a very rainy or hot day.
Visitor information centre
- 🌍 Cape Byron Information Centre, 199 Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay, ☏ +61 2 6639 8300, npws.tweedbyron@environment.nsw.gov.au. 9:30AM-4:30PM. It's one of the few visitor centres in a park that is not a national park in the state, with a large art gallery as well as lots of information about the park and the surrounding parks too.
Get in
Cape Byron State Conservation Area is only a mere three minutes via car from Byron Bay, but is only accessible via car. From Byron Bay, use Lighthouse Rd up east and then you've arrived at the park. Alternatively, you could walk from Byron Bay as well, but that's only if you don't mind hills and some narrow roads to walk on.
The nearest airport to this park is in Ballina/Byron Airport (BNK IATA), about a mere 30 minutes from Byron, and shuttle services operate from the airport to the CBD. However, from there, as mentioned above, find a way to get from the CBD to the state conservation area.
Fees and permits
The fees for this park as follows:
At the Cape Byron Lighthouse lawn and Information Centre
- $8 per hour for cars, and $4 for motorcycles, including NSW Parks pass holders
- Maximum one hour allowed per day
At either Captain Cook lookout, Cosy Corner, and The Pass
- $4 per vehicle (including motorcycles) per hour
See
Lookouts
- 🌍 Captain Cook Lookout. $4 per hour.
- 🌍 Fishermans Lookout, Brooke Dr, Byron Bay. A northerly lookout, up a climb off the nearby beach giving quite a 360° view. Parking available near the Pass Cafe and requires a five minute walk at max.
Other points of interests
- 🌍 Cape Byron Lighthouse, Cape Byron Walking Track, Byron Bay. Australia's easternmost lighthouse on the mainland, built in 1901 and with a light intensity of 2,200,000 cd, it's also Australia's most powerful lighthouse. It is only 23 metres high, yet it still attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year.
- 🌍 Most Easterly Point, Cape Byron Walking Track, Byron Bay. As the name of the place suggests, it's the easternmost point of the Australian mainland. Quite a view from here, and gets particularly dramatic after dark.
Buy
The only shop available in this entire park are in the visitor center, but otherwise, there's more shops outside the park in Byron Bay.
Eat
- 🌍 Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe, 201 Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay, ☏ +61 2 6639 8300. 9AM–5PM. Next to the visitor centre with a vast scenic background at the back, but this cafe only serves light refreshments. Has panoramic views over Byron Bay, Julian Rocks and Wollumbin National Park.
- 🌍 The Pass Cafe, 1 Brooke Dr, Byron Bay, ☏ +61 447 847 383, eat@thepasscafe.com.au. 7AM-2PM.
Drink
There aren't any bars or pubs in Cape Byron State Conservation Area, and the only ones can be found at Byron Bay. However, when going to Byron Bay, never leave your drink unattended as drink spiking is somewhat a common occurrence in Byron. See Byron Bay#Stay safe for more about this.
Sleep
Lodging
- 🌍 Assistant Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages, 193-195 Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay. Check-in: 1:30PM, check-out: 9:30AM.
- 🌍 Imeson Cottage, 155 Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay. Check-in: 1:30PM, check-out: 9:30AM.
- 🌍 Mildenhall Cottage, 149 Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay. Check-in: 1:30PM, check-out: 9:30AM.
- 🌍 Partridge Cottage and Geoffs Shed, 145-147 Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay. Check-in: 1:30PM, check-out: 9:30AM.
- 🌍 Thomson Cottage, 5 Brooke Drive, Byron Bay. Check-in: 1:30PM, check-out: 9:30AM.
Camping
There are no camping sites in the park but that's quite obvious given that this area isn't very sizable in the first place.
Backcountry
There aren't any of this in the park, but that's obvious given the small size of the park in the first place.