Byron Bay With pristine blue beaches, and rolling countryside, Byron Bay is also known for its art, entertainment and locals. There are a steady stream of international travellers, especially backpackers, attracted by the laidback atmosphere and beautiful location. With every type of water sport imaginable, including scuba diving at Julian Rocks, there is room for everyone. The area is known for its famous lighthouse, where you may spot some of the migrating whales famous in the area, and there is an easy walk to the Cape to experience the coastal scenery at its best.

Here are main tourist attractions to enjoy in Byron Bay:

Cape Byron Lighthouse

photo courtesy of Winsome Bonham

Constructed of prefabricated concrete blocks in 1901, the Cape Byron Lighthouse stands on the most eastery point of the Australian mainland and is Australia’s most easterly lighthouse. It stands 22 metres high, perched 94 metres above sea level on the crest of a windswept headland.

With a beam equivalent to 2,200,000 candles, the light is one of the most powerful in the southern hemisphere. It is powered by a 1000 watt tungsten-halogen lamp and flashes every 15 seconds over a range of 27 nautical miles. The heavy two-metre diameter lens is supported by a mercury float bath and keeps rotating during the day to reduce the risk of fire from the sun’s rays.

photos by Darren McCoy

Cape Byron Lighthouse is still an important shipping aid today and is managed and maintained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Julian Rocks

Julian Rocks, 2.5 km from Byron Bay’s shore Named by Captain Cook in 1776, and considered as one of the best dive spots in the world, is consists of ancient sedimentary rock, remains of a volcanic eruption more than 20 million years ago. It is an extension of Cape Byron separated by water and forms a most unique marine reserve, providing shelter and food for more than 500 tropical and temperate fish species alone.

Not only does Julian Rocks provide resting and nesting grounds for many seabirds, such as seagulls and cormorants, underneath the water is an invisible world with abundant marine life present.

All different dive sites around Julian Rocks are equally impressive and offer dives that are spectacular for the novice and the very experienced underwater explorer!

photos courtesy of underwater.com.au

Whale Watching

Byron Bay is famous as one of the most popular whale watching locations in Australia. Each June/July thousands of Humpback whales travel past Byron Bay, on their annual migration from Antarctica to their breeding grounds off the Great Barrier Reef. Then in September/October the same humpback whales return with their newborn calves.

photo courtesy of www.byronbaywhalewatching.com.au

NSW: Byron Bay – Tourist Attractions
References:
Byron Bay

How to Get Here

If travelling by car the best way to approach from Sydney is along the Great Western Highway or along the M4. If travelling from the western side of the Blue Mountains, travellers must drive through the towns of Lithgow and Hartley. There are also trains from Sydney to Katoomba and Lithgow and there is a Blue Mountains Explorer Bus from Katoomba Station. There are also plenty of day tours to the Blue Moutains leaving from Sydney or you can hire your own car, 4WD or limousine.

Climate

The climate of the Blue Mountains is somewhat cooler than the lower Sydney region. During the winter months (June, July, August), the average temperature in the Upper Mountains is around 5°C, while in summer (December, January, February) the average temperature reaches around 18°C. The Lower Mountains have a much warmer climate, ranging between an average of 16°C in winter and 29°C in the summer months.

Best months to visit

No matter what time of year you visit the Blue Mountains, you won’t be disappointed. In summer, the mountains offer cool relief from Sydney’s sticky heat, and although winters can be chilly, you’ll be fine as long as you pack warm clothing. Many people enjoy ‘Christmas in July’ in the cozy warmth of the mountains’ many hotels and lodges.

The Blue Mountains are considered one of the most scenic and beautiful sites in Australia. The Blue Mountains feature tourist attractions such as the following:

Scenic World

Scenic World blue mountains is suitable for visitors of all ages; it is located near the Three Sisters at Katoomba, less than two hours by rail or road from Sydney . Scenic World is home to a number of attractions, the two most famous of which are the Scenic Railway and Scenic Skyway.

The Scenic Skyway with its world first Electro-Sceni Glass floor completes the trip over to the other side of the valley to a viewing platform. This amazing ride takes in all of the iconic views of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Wilderness including the Three Sisters, Moutn Solitary, The Jamison Velley and Katoomba Falls.

The Scenic Railway is reputedly the steepest cable-driven funicular railway in the world, with an incline of 52 degrees, over a distance of 415 metres. It can carry up to 84 passengers and operates every 10 minutes.

Scenic World also has a restaurant with a revolving floor, a new cafe and viewing area, a souvenir shop, a free carpark and a 100 seat cinema.

Website: www.scenicworld.com.au

Zig Zag Railway

The Great Zig Zag Railway, the original rail line into the Lithgow Valley, was opened in 1869. The line was hailed as an engineering masterpiece of the 19th century. Today, the historic tourist railway, traverses the 7 1/2km track, operating steam trains and vintage diesel locomotives.

The Zig Zag is a series of gently sloping ramps in the form of a letter ‘Z’ passing through 2 tunnels and over 3 magnificent sandstone viaducts, all surrounded by the beautiful Blue Mountains escarpment.

The Zig Zag Railway is open daily, except for Christmas.

www.zigzagrailway.com.au

Jenolan Caves

A collection of 300 magnificant limestone caves located south east of Lithgow. Nine caves are open to the public and the caves feature breathtaking limestone stalagmites and stalactites and present a magical outlook on historical nature.Jenolan Caves attracts over 250,000 visitors a year, making it the most popular tourist location in rural New South Wales. The caves are said to be the oldest in the world.

Website: www.jenolancaves.org.au

Three Sisters</strong

Three Sisters are one of the Blue Mountains’ most famous sights, towering above the Jamison Valley.

The Sisters were formed by erosion. The soft sandstone of the Blue Mountains is easily eroded over time by wind, rain and rivers, and the cliffs surrounding the Jamison Valley are being slowly broken up. Formations like the Three Sisters are created when water seeps into small cracks in the rock, gradually enlarging them over time to form large indentations. Eventually, the Sisters will be eroded away completely.

Echo Point is one of the most famous lookouts to view the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. With dense rainforest, waterfalls, deep gorges and world class bushwalking trails, it is a world class destination.

NSW: Blue Mountains – Tourist attractions
References:
Visit Blue Mountains
Wikipedia

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