Cape Byron Circuit

1 h 15 min to 2 h

3.6 km
circuit

↑ 186 m
↓ -185 m

Moderate track
Starting from the car park of Captain Cook Lookout, Byron Bay, this track takes you on a coastal circuit in Cape Byron, visiting the easternmost point of the Australian mainland along with the historic lighthouse and 3 scenic beaches. This spectacular coastal track can be a great destination for sea life enthusiasts. It is possible to spot dolphins, stingrays and even whales during their migrating season. You can also come across other animals such as Australian pelicans,bush turkeys and the occasional wallaby. The white tower of the Cape Byron Lighthouse rises 22 metres above ground, warning the sailors passing by since 1901. Visit the Clarkes, Wategos and Little Wategos beaches and cool off in the welcoming waters of the Pacific. The track is partly shaded by the bangalow palms and burrawangs and involves lots of steps. Exercise extra caution around cliff edges and try to avoid the midday heat. Keep in mind that the area tends to be busy on the weekends. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-28.6421681,153.6262291)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Pacific Highway, M1, Ewingsdale.
  • Turn on to Pacific Highway Offramp then drive for 490 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Ewingsdale Road and drive for another 430 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Ewingsdale Road, 30 and drive for another 2 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Ewingsdale Road, 30 and drive for another 690 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Ewingsdale Road, 30 and drive for another 1.1 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Ewingsdale Road, 30 and drive for another 1.9 km
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 onto Lawson Street, 30 and drive for another 160 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Lawson Street and drive for another 160 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Lawson Street and drive for another 160 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Lawson Street and drive for another 700 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Lighthouse Road and drive for another 500 m
  • Turn left and drive for another 10 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park of Captain Cook Lookout(off Lighthouse Road), head back towards the road, then turn left to join the concrete footpath alongside the said road, keeping it to your right. Pass by the toilet and an informative signpost to your left, then stay on the track as it turns into a boardwalk. Follow the walking track as you keep the ocean to your left to continue along Cape Byron Circuit (clockwise).....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the Captain Cook Lookout at the start.
Find the toilet at the start.
Find the water tap at the start.
Then cross the bridge (about 80 m long)
After another 3 m continue straight.
Then cross the bridge (about 345 m long)
Then come to the viewpoint.
After another 160 m continue straight.
After another 165 m pass the "The Pass Cafe" (25 m on your right).
W:www.thepasscafe.com.au T:+61 2 6680 8028
Then pass the toilet (8 m on your right).
After another 8 m pass the water tap (on your right).
Then pass the BBQ (8 m on your left).
Then pass the pay phone (8 m on your right).
After another 6 m pass the picnic table (on your left).
After another 6 m (at the intersection of Cape Byron Walking Track & Brooke Drive) continue straight, to head along Cape Byron Walking Track.
After another 25 m continue straight, to head along Cape Byron Walking Track.
After another 20 m pass the "Palm Valley Car Park" (20 m on your right).
After another 50 m pass the sign (on your left).
At the intersection of Cape Byron Walking Track & Currenbah Walk continue straight, to head along Cape Byron Walking Track.
After another 85 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
After another 90 m veer left, to head along Cape Byron Walking Track.
Then pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
After another 65 m pass a seat (on your right)., has a backrest.
After another 85 m pass the toilet (20 m on your left).
After another 35 m pass the picnic table (15 m on your right).
After another 6 m head down the concrete steps (about 9 m long)
Then pass the shelter (6 m on your left).
Then pass the BBQ (10 m on your left).
Then pass the water tap (on your left).
Then pass the picnic table (10 m on your left).
Turn right, to head along Cape Byron Walking Track.
After another 10 m pass the picnic table (5 m on your left).
After another 80 m continue straight, to head along Cape Byron Walking Track.
After another 125 m come to the viewpoint (40 m on your left).
After another 85 m continue straight, to head along Cape Byron Walking Track.
After another 7 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 105 m pass a seat (on your left)., has a backrest.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. An optional side trip taking you to the northernmost viewpoint on Cape Byron (via Little Wategos Track). To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 30 m (at the intersection of Cape Byron Walking Track & Little Wategos Track) turn right, to head along Cape Byron Walking Track.
After another 135 m pass a seat (7 m on your right)., has a backrest.
After another 35 m head down the surface|paved steps (about 45 m long)
After another 25 m pass a seat (on your right).
Then come to the "Easterly Point Lookout" (on your left).
After another 60 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
After another 15 m pass a seat (10 m on your left).
After another 20 m head down the surface|paved steps (about 25 m long)
Then come to the viewpoint (4 m on your left).
After another 30 m pass a seat (9 m on your left)., has a backrest.
After another 115 m head down the steps (about 30 m long)
Then come to the viewpoint (15 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 25 m turn left.
After another 15 m pass the "Cape Byron Lighthouse" (9 m on your right).
After another 15 m head up the surface|paved steps (about 5 m long)
Veer left, to head along Lighthouse Walk.
After another 35 m pass the "Cape Byron Information Centre" (5 m on your right).
After another 3 m continue straight, to head along Lighthouse Walk.
Then pass the toilet (40 m on your right).
After another 20 m pass the water tap (30 m on your right).
After another 15 m pass the "Lighthouse Upper Car Park" (5 m on your right).
After another 45 m continue straight, to head along Lighthouse Walk.
After another 90 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 65 m come to the viewpoint (20 m on your right).
After another 75 m pass a seat (on your right).
After another 45 m pass the "Lighthouse Lower Car Park" (on your right).
After another 20 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
After another 5 m (at the intersection of Tallow Ridge Track & Lighthouse Walk) continue straight, to head along Tallow Ridge Track.
After another 800 m continue straight, to head along Tallow Ridge Track.
After another 75 m veer right, to head along Tallow Ridge Track.
After another 25 m (at the intersection of Lee Lane & Tallow Ridge Track) turn left, to head along Lee Lane (a vehicle track).
After another 60 m (at the intersection of Lighthouse Road & Lee Lane) turn left, to head along Lighthouse Road (a highway|tertiary).
After another 10 m turn right.
After another 10 m come to the end.

An optional side trip taking you to the northernmost viewpoint on Cape Byron (via Little Wategos Track).
Turn map Directions & comments
At the intersection of Little Wategos Track & Cape Byron Walking Track Start heading along Little Wategos Track (a footpath).
Find the seat at the start. , has a backrest.
After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Little Wategos Track.
Then cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
After another 95 m come to a viewpoint.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 170 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Cape Byron Circuit


Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length 3.6 km
Time 1 h 15 min to 2 h
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 1.2 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 720 m apart with the largest gap of 1.4 km.

Seat: There are 12 on route, on average they are 275 m apart with the largest gap of 1.1 km.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
45 m[toilet]
Toilet
670 m[toilet]
Seat
860 m[seat]
Seat
960 m[seat]
Seat
1 km[seat]
Toilet
1.1 km[toilet]
Shelter
1.2 km[shelter]
Seat
1.5 km[seat]
Seat
1.6 km[seat]
Seat
1.6 km + 6 m[seat]
Seat
1.7 km[seat]
Seat
1.8 km[seat]
Seat
1.9 km[seat]
Seat
2 km[seat]
Toilet
2.2 km[toilet]
Seat
2.4 km[seat]
Seat
2.5 km[seat]
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