The Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk is one of the best things to do in Byron Bay and is popular with walkers and non walkers alike. It offers some of the most beautiful views in the area, with breathtaking beach after breathtaking beach. It’s common to spot dolphins from the track, and even Humpback whales if you’re visiting during their annual migration (May to November).
The walk is all on really well maintained tracks, and it’s relatively easy going, except for a couple of steep hills. It’s the sort of walk that could be done in an hour and a half, or take all day if you stop for a dip and a coffee at various beaches along the way.
Here’s what to expect from the trail and why we love this coastal walk.
The Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk
The stats
Distance: 4.5km
Elevation: 210m
Difficulty: Moderate
The Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk has a paved path for almost the entire trail (except the bushland part) and - whilst it has some steep parts - it is not a difficult walk. Including gawping at the views, this walk took us 1.5 hours to complete.
Where to park
The walk begins at the Captain Cook Lookout but it can be hard to get parking there. Parking anywhere close to town won’t add on much distance though, so don’t worry if you struggle to find a spot close to the start.
The highlights of the trail
Captain Cook Lookout to Fisherman’s Lookout - 1km
The first part of the walk is completely flat and within just a few hundred metres you’ll already get your first beach view.
The jungly forest growing to the side of the trail really makes it feel tropical and it’s hard to believe you’re still in town.
Following the signposts you’ll arrive at The Pass just 650m later. It’s another gorgeous stretch of beach and there’s a cafe too if you’re in need of a caffeine fix.
If you head onto the beach you can make the short (150m) detour to Fisherman’s Lookout. It’s one of many good spots along the trail to look out for the resident Bottlenose dolphins.
If you can see a big group of kayakers out nearby it’s very likely you’re looking at the kayaking with dolphins tour which gives you a good idea of where to look out for them!
The Pass to Wategoes Beach - 500m
Heading back into The Pass car park you’ll then follow the signpost into the Palm Valley. It’s a short section of bushland before you head out the forest and up onto the cliff tops with wonderful sea views.
It’s a very short climb before it flattens out as you cruise along the top, the view of Wategoes Beach is unbelievable.
It also gives you a good look at which part of the beach is quietest if you’re looking for a secluded beach stop - it’s the western end!
You’ll then head briefly downhill and into the car park for Wategoes. This is one of our favourite Byron Bay beaches and a good place to stop for a dip, or grab a coffee at the cafe and sit out on the picnic tables by the beach.
Wategoes Beach to the most easterly point in Australia - 1km
You’ll start heading along the flat paved walkway beside the beach as you make your way to the most easterly point in Australia.
If you love photography, the little walkways down to the beach are very picturesque, with Cabbage tree palms on either side of the stairways.
Once you reach the end of the beach you’ll begin heading up a series of staircases in the bush, but with sensational views out to Wategoes.
After 250m you’ll come to a junction, you can continue on the lighthouse trail, or take a short detour out to Little Wategoes Beach and another lookout. It’s only an additional few hundred metres each way but it is quite a few staircases to climb on the way back!
It’s well worth it though, Little Wategoes is a quiet beach and feels nicely secluded, away from the crowds of the other Byron beaches.
The lookout also offers lovely views in every direction, and gives you a good look at the rugged headland and a little cove where wild waves crash against the rocks.
Once back on the main trail you’ll continue the uphill climb on a series of staircases, with a bench to rest on along the way if needed.
It’s just a few hundred metres before you reach the sign for the most easterly point in Australia, which is always a popular photo stop.
The most easterly point in Australia to the Cape Byron Lighthouse - 300m
You’re now just 300m away from the lighthouse and its cafe if you need a cool drink! Although the walk is not difficult, if it’s a hot and humid day it’s definitely a welcome sight.
The last part of the walk is much flatter, there is a small amount of uphill to go, but you’ve done the worst of it. You’ll have incredible sea views out to your left and you’ll pass another good whale watching spot.
Keep your eyes peeled for whales, dolphins and even turtles all the way along this stretch as that’s where we’ve had the most luck with sightings - we even saw sharks from up here once and the sirens went off to close beach!
You can’t go inside the lighthouse but you can admire it from the outside and there’s a small maritime museum which is open from 10am to 4pm.
The grassy verge by the cafe is a lovely spot for a picnic, or you can grab a snack from the cafe, which is open until 5pm (coffee machine is turned off an hour before - we were caught out by this once before!).
If you’re really lucky and can snag a booking, you can even stay in the old lighthouse keepers cottages, which sound amazing!
The Cape Byron Lighthouse to Captain Cook Lookout - 1.7 km
From the lighthouse it’s a small downhill walk that arrives at a stunning view of Tallow Beach. This huge stretch of sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Byron and this is one of the best views of it.
The prettiest part of the walk is definitely the bit you’ve already done, and you could return the same way, but we usually choose to do the loop along the Tallow Ridge Trail to change it up a bit.
From the viewpoint at Tallow Beach you’ll head uphill, and if you’re lucky, as you round the corner you might see hang gliders taking off from the launch site.
You’ll head into the bush and that’s the end of the sea views. What you get instead is a nice shady track through the bush with lots of birdlife. We saw so many baby brush turkeys on this part of the walk!
You will have a few short hills to climb, but the majority is flat or downhill and the path is in good condition. After 1km you’ll pop out of the bush and take a right hand turn to get back to the Captain Cook Lookout.
All in all this is one of the best coastal walks on the east coast, and a must for anyone visiting Byron.
Essential information about the Cape Byron Walking Track
The Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk for sunrise or sunset
The best time to be looking out at those incredible views from the lighthouse is at sunrise or sunset. We usually do it for sunset and then walk back through the bush in the twilight. It’s not difficult and as long as you have a torch you won’t have any trouble! You might even spot a few possums along the way.
If you are going to hike up for sunrise then do the bush track first as you don’t want to miss the views along the coastal portion of the walk.
Can you take dogs on the Cape Byron Walking Track?
As the walk takes you through national park land you can’t bring dogs unfortunately.
Facilities along the trail
This walk has plenty of places to stop for a drink, drinking water and toilets along the way. You could easily spend a whole afternoon slowly making your way along the track.
Parking fees
The car park at Captain Cook Lookout has a maximum time limit of 4 hours and is a cost of $4 per hour.
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