Sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse

So you know that lighthouse Jen’s feet were pointing at yesterday... Today we got up early to see the sunrise from Cape Byron, the most easterly point in Australia and home to a very famous lighthouse. Built in 1901, it was operated by resident keepers until 1989 when it became fully automated. It is Australia’s most powerful lighthouse, being visible from a distance of 27 nautical miles (50km). Amazingly it still uses the original lens; 2m in diameter and 780 pieces of highly polished prismatic glass.

Even though we’ve been able to see sunrises all up and down the east coast, it was really quite exciting being on Cape Byron as the sun came up. Something about being the first piece of Australia the sun touches maybe?? The morning was glorious. And not too many people...
I imagine it is chaotic in peak season.

Tip: the gates don’t open until 8am so you need to park in one of the car parks (they fill up quickly & cost $4/hour) and walk the 500m or so up to the lighthouse.

Having hung out at the lighthouse for a while, we took ourselves off to a local cafe for breakfast; appropriately named (for Steve), Espressohead.

Next stop: a swim and a boogie board (their first outing) at Tallow Beach to finish a great morning.

Now if that was not enough highlights in one day, this afternoon was one of Jen’s. Catching her first wave in the kayak & looking totally professional all the way in to shore. Unfortunately there’s no photographic evidence but it was the best wave of the day and even the surfers watched in awe...
Steve’s kayak seat came unattached and he fell off backwards on the very same wave... blame the equipment.Read more