From here it was a bit more climbing to the lighthouse where more magnificent views awaited us. Cape Byron lighthouse stands atop a 94 metre cliff and was built in 1901. For a century it alerted passing ships to the dangers of the coast. The Lighthouse Cafe provided a welcome respite to our walk as by now we had worked up quite a sweat. The macadamia and mango ice-cream was divine and did the trick of reviving us while we savoured the view and the cool treat. |
Our Wednesday walkers may be only a small group of four, but it is frequently difficult to have all present in the country at any one time. This week Jenny was off cruising around New Zealand, but Margot returned from conquering the Camino. Our walk to the lighthouse at Byron Bay may have been short compared to the kilometres she has been kicking over daily in Spain, but she assured us the scenery here was more stunning. Before setting out to Byron Bay we dropped my mum in Mullumbimby to visit a friend, then drove to Byron Bay and payed a king's ransom to park at Clarkes Beach while we walked. The day was perfect for a beach walk - all blue sky and sunshine and gentle breezes. We had to climb the wooden stairs to the top of Fisherman's Lookout at the end of Clarkes Beach because it was there. The view was magnificent. Surfers waited patiently for waves and seemed content to bob around on their boards on this fairly calm day. We then wove our way around to the next beach, Watego's, where a bronzed artist was creating intricate, flowing designs in the sand. Leaving the beach, we proceeded to do some serious climbing up towards the lighthouse. Here, where the Coral Sea to the north meets the Tasman Sea in the south, Cape Byron protrudes into the Pacific Ocean and forms the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. It goes without saying, this had to be a photo stop. The downward trail was much easier and we were back to the car before we knew it. Although not a long walk this week, it was no less enjoyable or scenic than others we have done this year. Now I leave my band of merry walkers for a few weeks as I set sail on a cruise around Australia. Next time I pass Byron Bay I will be a little further east still.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|