Byron Bay: Busy Beach Bohemia

We made our way from Hervey Bay after a sunrise walk along the beach and a wander through the botanical gardens full of native trees down past Brisbane to Byron Bay.  The drive was gorgeous, along fields of sugar cane and through the beautiful coastal range of mountains, but as it was a Friday, we caught loads of traffic as many people made their way from Brisbane to the coast for the weekend.  It was a rough drive through traffic and along a lot of road work and by the time we got to Byron Bay I was BEAT!  Despite this, I rallied, and we wandered this funky, busier beach town from our homebase at the Hibiscus Motel on the fringe of the main drag.  We found our way to the Pacific Beach Hotel, a huge beachfront bar/restaurant complex with a stage and good local tunes where we enjoyed a few Stone & Wood beers and some fish & chips.  Stone & Wood is brewed in Byron Bay and I had been introduced to it by a barkeeper in Melbourne who had told me, "Mate!  They brewed the PERFECT beer for their surfing lifestyle up there!" and the Pacific Ale is just that: bright, light, and sunny!

Byron Bay, with peninsula jutting out from the coast, making it the easternmost point of Australia.

Sugar cane fields along the drive through the Sunshine Coast.

We stopped in a small town for lunch along the way to Byron Bay, not expecting much, but we found Billy's and it was the perfect spot  Food, booze, and BOOGIE!!!

Kara, fully feeling the amazing Billy's vibe.

Beachy decor at the little funky Hibiscus Motel.

 Byron Bay is the easternmost point in Australia, so a sunrise walk was absolutely necessary to greet the Australian day!  We went to bed early and were ready to rock!  It was a beautiful walk along the bay, with waves, distant mountain peaks on the northern side of town, and the point with lighthouse to the south.  We walked the beach with several other early risers and made our way to a big rock with a viewing platform on top, then scrambled around the awesome rocks at the base of the cliffs at the point while the sun came up.

View of the eastern most point with lighthouse at sunrise.

Offshore rocks and waves.

Sun comes up on Australia and we were there first!

Surfer paddling back out!  One of the best parts of our sunrise walks was catching all the surfers and paddle boarders at it early.

Playing in the waves and rocks.

Kara scrambles with her Keens on.

A perfect sunrise position.

From the base of the cliffs

 We headed back to our room to eat breakfast and pack up then drove up to the lighthouse at the point.  Not sure what I was expecting, but the views from up here were AMAZING!  And, because it is a point jutting out into the ocean, traveling whales have to round it as they make their way down the coast, so we saw many blows and splashes offshore as we took in the views.  It was busy up top, and rightfully so, as the views of the whales, the surf, the mountains, and the coastline heading off to the north and south were really spectacular.  This was easily one of the prettiest places I have ever been!  After spending an hour and a half up top there, we hopped in our ride and headed down the coast to Coffs Harbor.

View of the coast heading south from the lighthouse point.  A large lineup of surfers was catching the waves closest to the viewpoint.

Close-up of the lineup and someone grabbing a ride.

Byron Bay lighthouse and cliffs.

View of mountains looking north from the point; note the angular limestone peaks.

We were gazing out at whales passing by when I looked down and saw this small cliff-side wallaby foraging in the bush below us.  This guy lives among the good views!

Beautiful waters churning at the base of the cliffs.

Final view of Byron Bay, full of weekend beachgoers.