There are numerous lighthouses alongside the coasts of Australia, however none are as properly often known as the lighthouse at Cape Byron. The lighthouse is located on essentially the most easterly level of the Australian mainland. Due to this, its a terrific location for viewing dawn, and you’ll be the primary individual in Australia to see the dawn when you’re right here.
I had the chance to go to Cape Byron Lighthouse in December final yr. To get right here, you would need to first get to the small city of Byron Bay. The closest main metropolis is Brisbane which is a 2-3 hours drive away. In case you are coming from Sydney, its going to be an 8-10 hours drive. Due to the gap from main cities, you gained’t discover that many worldwide vacationers right here. Its largely native vacationers on highway journeys and backpackers who’re travelling between the east coast cities.
Byron Bay exudes the standard Australian small city vibe. Quaint buildings line the slim streets. However right here they’ve been given over to commercialism with retailers, bars, and eating places catering to the vacationers.One of many extra well-known institutions is the Balcony. This restaurant is at one of many foremost avenue corners and provides balcony sitting whilst you eat. Get right here early if you would like the balcony seats with avenue views, or make a reservation.I may see the lighthouse from the seaside at Byron Bay. As you may see, the lighthouse is kind of a distance away (2 km in a straight line and three.6 km by mountaineering)
There are 2 methods to get to the lighthouse from Byron Bay. The primary is by mountaineering the character path, and the second is to drive. The highway results in the lighthouse, and there a few parking zones close to the lighthouse. Nevertheless, parking heaps are restricted and parking charges apply.
I parked on the first carpark under the lighthouse. Its a brief stroll to the lighthouse and also you do get some spectacular views of the east coast alongside the best way. The parking payment is definitely $4/hr at this decrease carpark. The $8/hr payment applies to the carpark on the lighthouse itself.
Unbelievable view of the east coast of Australia as I walked to the lighthouse.That is the ultimate carpark on the lighthouse itself. There’s only a few parking areas and it prices $8/hr. This carpark can be closed earlier than 8am and after sundown.The view of Cape Byron Lighthouse as I walked up from the carpark.
Cape Byron Lighthouse was accomplished in 1901 and remains to be operational right now. At first the sunshine was generated by kerosene lamps, but it surely has been upgraded to an electrical lamp with one of many brightest mild beams in Australia. The operating of the lighthouse can be automated now and the lighthouse keepers’ cottages have been became vacation lodging which you’ll be able to e-book to remain at.
View of the lighthouse from guests’ middle. It was good climate that day.I’m wondering if anybody mails letters from this postbox.From the lighthouse you may comply with the character path which can take you to Cape Byron.Viewing Cape Byron from the highest of the path. The massive waves pounding on the rocks is simply unbelievable.Zooming in on the man fishing from the rocks on Cape Byron. Dolphins might be seen sheltering within the calmer waters of the bay. Through the whale migration season, you may as well see humpback whales.Within the distance is Julian Rocks that are a nature reserve and likewise a terrific spot for diving and snorkeling. You may see sharks and stingrays right here.
If you wish to see dawn from the lighthouse, you’ll have to get right here fairly early. Dawn happens between 5.30am and seven.00am relying on the time of the yr. In case you are driving, you’ll have to park on the decrease carpark and stroll as much as the lighthouse because the carpark on the lighthouse gained’t be opened. Throughout October to March, Byron Bay implements daylight financial savings and clocks will transfer up 1 hour earlier throughout this time, so test your watch earlier than discovering out that you just missed dawn.
My unique plan was to go to the lighthouse early and attempt to catch the Milky Manner earlier than dawn, However nature determined that it’s going to rain that morning. So it was too cloudy for astrophotography and dawn would show to be a moist affair.
Wanting via the condensation of morning mist because the solar began rising.
Right here is the lighthouse with the solar rising behind it. The rain had handed by now, but it surely was nonetheless very overcast.I nonetheless managed to see the dawn briefly earlier than it was lined by the low hanging rain clouds.I thought I used to be among the many first individuals who noticed the dawn on the Australian continent that day.These are the lighthouse keepers’ homes which have been became vacation lodging. You may e-book them via the NSW Nationwide Parks and Wildlife Companies web site.
Listed here are 2 photographs taken on the identical spot. One was taken within the afternoon and the opposite was taken through the dawn.
You would go to Cape Byron Lighthouse as a day journey from Brisbane, however if you wish to catch the dawn right here, then it might be higher to spend an evening in Byron Bay. The city is kind of small and lodging is restricted. Do observe that lodgings can get totally booked and costly throughout peak durations like nationwide holidays.
