A  wonderful part of Australia, Byron Bay, is just before the Queensland border in New South Wales.  Byron is a two-hour drive from Brisbane and a 10-hour drive from Sydney.  Located at the most easterly point of Australia, Byron Bay was settled by the aboriginals and then rediscovered in 1770 by Captain Cook when he sighted the headland and named it “Cape Byron”.  In the sixties hippies, backpackers and surfers also discovered it.  The entrepreneurs soon followed and the area has become internationally famous for its small town atmosphere and alternative lifestyle.  Rusty White, a famous US surfer, loved this area so much that he lives here now and teaches surfing.  All who come to Byron Bay come to relax  and renew themselves.  The population of Byron Bay is only 9,000 and the village of  Byron is very funky, yet cosmopolitan, with restaurants, alfresco cafes,  galleries, street entertainers, sand carvers, unique shops and stunning beaches.  Nearby is the little town of Bangalow, another a great place to shop and to eat.    Overlooking the entire area is Cape Byron Lighthouse.  We stayed in the rainforest at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa.  What a wonderful place to come to relax and rejuvenate after your long flight from the U.S.or to stop on your self-drive north or south.    You will definitely become “Byronized” after visiting this special region of Australia!

 A trip to Cape Byron Lighthouse is a must and a beautiful place to see the coastline and watch the dolphins, turtles and whales play in the South Pacific Ocean.  They migrate from May to November.   You can learn about the history of  Cape Bryon Headland Reserve and the lighthouse at the lighthouse’s museum.  The lighthouse, located on the most easterly point of the Australia mainland, was built in 1901 and is Australia’s most powerful lighthouse.    There is also a 3 1/2 hour walking trail that will take you into Byron Bay.  

Another good place to eat is the Byron Beach Club Cafe on Clarke’s Beach.   We had morning tea there (an Aussie tradition) and they had wonderful pastries and breads.    Located beachfront, to the right is a view of Clarke’s Beach the day were were there.  Underneath it is another view!  Byron has some of the most beautiful beaches that we have ever seen.  No wonder so many surfers visit and then settled here! 

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