Byron Bay
In the northern part of the state of New South Wales in Australia you will find Byron Bay, a small town with a big draw for local and international tourists alike. This little town with the great location attracts surfers, backpackers, skydivers, whale watchers, and those who just appreciate scenery and wildlife.
Byron Bay is home to the headland called Cape Byron, named by Captain Cook for John Byron who sailed around the world. You can easily walk or bicycle to the Cape Byron lighthouse from anywhere in the town.
There are many things that bring the tourists to Cape Byron in the summers. Besides the beaches and National Parks mentioned below, Byron bay offers great shopping, many fun festivals and other events scheduled throughout the year, and restaurants with Australian and International cuisine.
Beaches
Byron Bay is known for its great surf breaks, considered to be among the best. It also offers some of the most scenic and pristine beaches on Australia’s coast.
· Main Beach, Clarkes Beach, and The Pass – Main beach is located directly in front of Byron Bay. This curve of beach faces north and is a popular place to surf. It also has beautiful white sands, blue sea, and reputation of being one of prettiest beaches in Australia. As Main beach extends east it becomes Clarkes Beach and then stretches into The Pass. This whole area is considered very safe for children.
· Watego’s and Little Watego’s – Watego’s beach is sheltered from the winds and is a perfect spot for families as well as surfers and those who surfski. It is a short walk from here to the more secluded Little Watego’s beach.
Other beaches include Belongil Beach, which has a large dog walk area. From Belongil you can see what is left of a ship that sank in a storm many years ago. Tallow Beach is great for surfing but swimming can be tricky because of the rips and currents.
National Parks
Nearby Byron Bay you can experience some of Australia’s National parks, most of which are protected rainforests.
· The farthest northeast point in New South Wales is the Northern Rivers area. It includes Mt. Warning, a giant volcano plug, several rivers that drop off into waterfalls, and The Big Scrub rainforest. In this area you will find Mt. Warning National Park, a great place to watch the sun rise over the volcano in the mornings.
· Rainforest Way is a well-mapped series of roads that takes you through several rainforests in the area that are on the list of World Heritage sites. These drives let you explore the area and its natural attractions as well as those of historic and cultural significance.
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