Cape Byron Headland and Lighthouse

About Cape Byron Headland and Lighthouse

Cape Byron Headland and Lighthouse is a things to do venue in Byron Bay, New South Wales.

The Lighthouse, known as Cape Byron Lightstation, is an active heritage-listed lighthouse and also a maritime museum. It was designed by Charles Harding and Cecil W.

Darley and built from 1899 to 1901 by Messrs Mitchell & King. The light is Australia’s most powerful lighthouse, with a light intensity of 2,200,000 candelas.

Cape Byron, being the easternmost point of the Australian mainland, is approximately three kilometres northeast of Byron Bay. The Cape Byron Lightstation is of state heritage significance, being one of the final components of the string of lights that illuminated the NSW coastline since the 19th century.

Among the last major light stations to complete the “highway of lights”, it provided protection and navigational guidance to the growing shipping industry in colonial NSW. Spread across a long, narrow ridgeline on the Cape Byron headland reserve, the Cape Byron Lightstation precinct consists of a lighthouse tower with an interpretive center, Head Keeper’s Quarters, Assistant Keeper’s Quarters, workshop/paint/store building, contemporary cafe and toilet structure, and surrounding lawned areas.

The tower is circular and approximately 22m in height to the top of the lantern. Built of precast concrete.

Good to know

• Type: Things to Do
• Area: Byron Bay, New South Wales
• Phone: (02) 6639 8300
• Website: visit ↗

Frequently asked questions

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