One of the most popular destinations on the east coast for tourists and native Australians is the small beachfront community of Byron Bay which has only about 5000 permanent residents. The town is easily reached by a two hour drive down the coastal highway from Brisbane or from the nearby Gold Coast airport. Once popular as a hippie and surfing town, Byron Bay has become more of a new age, upscale community today with spas, beautiful beaches and a famous lighthouse that attracts people of all ages.

Byron Bay is proud of its status as the easternmost point of land on the continent. It is where the sun first rises on Australia. The peninsula that juts out into the Tasman Sea there also creates a windy promenade upon which many ships foundered in the 1800s. To aid ships and encourage commerce, the government built and manned the Cape Byron Lighthouse beginning around 1900 which casts its now automated beam dozens of miles out to sea.

During our visit to Byron Bay, my wife decided to explore the eclectic shops offering fashionable beachwear, massages and interesting jewelry in the center of town, while I resolved to walk along the beaches on a hot and windy day to explore the Lighthouse. Clarkes Beach, Wategos Beach and Tallow Beach feature both waves and shallows, and are sometimes broken up by rock cliffs that tumble down into the surf. After about a one hour walk from the center of town, I climbed several hills and arrived at the Lighthouse.

The Cape Byron Lighthouse looks out over the coast and the turbulent sea in three directions. The views are spectacular and nature lovers often spot whales, dolphins and turtles in the nearby waters. At the base of the Lighthouse in the former keeper’s residence, there is a small maritime museum which presents some interesting artifacts and stories from Byron Bay’s past. I enjoyed seeing this iconic Australian location as well as the hearty seafood dinner that followed my walk back to town.

Another important feature of Byron Bay is its tradition of hosting a wide variety of festivals which include a film festival, fashion festival, writers conference, a triathlon, several music and arts festivals, yoga retreats and a surfing competition. These events plus the relaxing waterfront make Byron Bay a pleasant stop as a day trip or as an alternative place to relax for a couple days if your itinerary cannot accommodate a visit to the Great Barrier Reef or an adventure into the Outback.