About Byron Bay

(73KB Flash)

•

Click Here To Find Out About 'The Belongil'

Why is it called "Byron" Bay? Click Here and find out

Byron Bay is a former whaling station that is now a very popular holiday resort renowned for its magnificent surfing beaches. The lush and beautiful countryside surrounding the town was opened up by cedar-cutters in the late 1800s and is now devoted to dairying, cattle, pigs and tropical fruits.

The town is partly protected from the sea by Cape Byron, a rocky promontory 107m high and the continent's most easterly point. One of the most attractive and powerful lighthouses in Australia stands on the cape, beaming its light more than 40km out to sea. A walking trail leads to the tip of the cape, on the way visiting the lighthouse and providing fine coastal views. A ramp on the southern side of the cape is used by hang gliders who often soar overhead. Good views of humpback whales on their migration up the coast to Hervey Bay can be seen from the cape in July and on their return in September.

The marine park at Julian Rocks, just off the main beach, is situated at the meeting place of tropical and temperate currents. Scuba divers will be dazzled by the amazing variety of fish and marine creatures to be seen.

Beaches can be found on either side of the town and there are numerous rocky headlands providing perfect vantage points and ideal fishing platforms. Some local points and beaches are considered by surfers to be some of the best surfing beaches in the state.

Byron Bay is famous for its relaxed and sometimes alternative way of life that has attracted an interesting mix of residents and is reflected in the galleries and boutiques and shops with New Age offerings.

There are many fine restaurants in Byron Bay whose cuisine you can sample. Entertainment abounds in the vibrant pubs and clubs around Byron Bay with live music available every night of the week.

Many backpackers visit the town all year round and are well catered for with plenty of low cost hostel accommodation. There is also plenty of house rental, apartment, motel, and studio type accommodation in Byron Bay

Byron Bay is famous for its environmentally and socially aware local community, boasting that it has no McDonalds, no high rise, no traffic lights and no parking meters.

Famous local current and past residents include:

Paul Hogan, star of Crocodile Dundee; leading IMAX film maker, John Weiley; Deb Cox, writer of the popular ABC series ‘Seachange’; Di Morrisey, bestselling Australian author; Peter Corris, author of the popular Cliff Hardy detective series; Harry Williamson, Australian bank note designer; John Cornell, television personality, producer of Crocodile Dundee, one time Australian Businessman of the year and local publican; members of rock band Midnight Oil; and leading vocalist, Grace Knight.

Byron Bay was named by Captain James Cook on 15 May 1770, after John Byron, a navigator and the grandfather of the poet Lord Byron.