Updated in October 2026, this Cape Byron Lighthouse guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
Cape Byron Lighthouse is a working lighthouse on the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, in Byron Bay, New South Wales. Parking at the lighthouse costs $10 per vehicle per hour, with a maximum stay of one hour per vehicle per day. This limit also applies to vehicles with an NPWS annual pass. This guide was last updated in October 2026 and confirms the current fee and time limit, which some older guides do not reflect.
Quick facts: the Cape Byron Lighthouse
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Reserve open all hours. Lighthouse lawn 8am to sunset. Maritime Museum 10am to 4pm daily. |
| Ticket prices | Park entry $10 per vehicle per hour ($4 for motorcycles), one-hour maximum per day. Private tower tour $200 for 1 to 10 people. |
| Address | Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay NSW 2481 |
| Nearest transport or parking | Bitumen car park just south of the Walgun Cape Byron Information Centre. The town centre is 2 km west. |
| Typical time needed | About 1 hour |
Cape Byron Lighthouse opening hours
The surrounding reserve, Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, is open all hours. It may close at times because of poor weather or fire danger. The hours are the same all year, and the official website lists no seasonal changes.
Specific areas have their own hours:
- Lighthouse lawn: 8am to sunset.
- Maritime Museum: 10am to 4pm daily. It is in the former Lighthouse Keeper’s office at the base of the lighthouse.
- Walgun Cape Byron Information Centre: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily, closed Christmas Day.
- Lighthouse tower tours: limited days and times through the week.
To enter before 8am for an event or for disabled access, give notice to the NPWS Byron Bay office on 02 6639 8300 during business hours.
Cape Byron Lighthouse ticket prices
There is no ticket for the grounds, but park entry fees apply to vehicles. The fee is charged at the lighthouse car park.
- Cars: $10 per vehicle per hour. The maximum is one hour per vehicle per calendar day, including NPWS annual passholders.
- Motorcycles: $4 per hour.
- Coaches: $30 for up to 30 seats, $57 for 31 to 43 seats and $94 for 44 seats or more.
- Private lighthouse tour: $200 for 1 to 10 people. Phone 02 6639 8300 or email npws.tweedbyron@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Cash and credit cards are accepted at the Information Centre. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in October 2026.
8 great things to do in Byron Bay
- Experience the region’s glorious natural landscapes from above – on a hot air balloon ride.
- Go kayaking with dolphins – and get much closer to them than on a boat tour 🐬.
- Learn to surf – on a half day surf lesson 🏄♀️.
- Discover the local secrets – let a guide show you the hidden beaches and waterfalls 🏖️.
- Go on a three habitat wildlife safari – spotting koalas, kangaroos and flying foxes 🐨🦘.
- See glowworms light up the World Heritage-listed rainforest.
- Explore the Byron Bay hinterland – including the rainforest walk to Minyon Falls.
- Taste craft beers and spirits – on a tour of Byron’s breweries and distilleries 🍻.
- Also try… Skydives | Sea-kayaking | Whale-watching.
How to get to the Cape Byron Lighthouse
The lighthouse is 2 km east of the Byron Bay town centre. From the town, take Lawson Street, which becomes Lighthouse Road, and follow it to the lighthouse.
- By car: the road is sealed and suits 2WD vehicles in all weather.
- On foot: the Cape Byron Walking Track reaches the lighthouse from Wategos Beach, The Pass and Captain Cook Lookout. It is a 3.7 km loop with many steps.
- Public transport: the official website lists driving directions only. Check Transport for NSW for bus options.
Parking at the Cape Byron Lighthouse
Parking is in a bitumen car park just south of the Walgun Cape Byron Information Centre. It includes one accessible space. The car park can be busy at weekends, so spaces may be limited.
The one-hour limit applies per vehicle per calendar day. Visitors who plan a longer stay can park at the lower-cost sites on the walking track:
- Captain Cook (Bawaii) lookout, Cosy Corner and The Pass: $5 per vehicle per hour. Pay machines accept tap and pay by card or phone.
- Wategos Beach: parking is available, and park entry fees apply.
How long to spend at the Cape Byron Lighthouse
Plan about 1 hour at the lighthouse, which matches the one-hour parking limit. A short visit covers the grounds, the lookouts and the Maritime Museum.
A tower tour adds time. Visitors who want to walk should allow 1 to 3 hours for the full Cape Byron Walking Track and park elsewhere on the loop.
Accessibility at the Cape Byron Lighthouse
The lighthouse tower has no wheelchair, pram or mobility scooter access. Three concrete steps lead from the ground to the entrance, and a narrow spiral staircase with many steps runs inside.
The area around the lighthouse is flat and step-free. Access from the car park is along sloping bitumen Lighthouse Road. Accessible toilets and an accessible parking space are at the Information Centre nearby.
Disability access before 8am can be arranged with notice. Registered assistance animals are allowed, but pets are not.
What to see at the Cape Byron Lighthouse
Cape Byron Lighthouse was built to protect ships along the coast. Resident keepers operated it until 1989, and its automated light is clearly visible from Byron Bay township.
The lighthouse stands on the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. The grounds give views over the ocean and the hinterland.
The Maritime Museum is in the former Lighthouse Keeper’s office at the base of the tower. It tells stories of shipwrecks and the sea.
A guided tower tour includes a climb of about 70 narrow steps and access to the top balcony. The tower is a small, confined space.
Wildlife is often seen from the headland. Turtles, dolphins and humpback whales are regularly sighted. NSW national parks list May to November as the whale migration season.
The lighthouse lawn is available for events and function hire. Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages nearby offer accommodation.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive early at weekends, because the car park is busy and each vehicle may stay one hour only. |
| Crowds | Weekends are the busiest time, so spaces may be limited. Consider parking at The Pass or Wategos Beach and walking up. |
| Layout | The Maritime Museum is at the base of the tower. The path from the car park to the lighthouse is uphill. |
| Entry process | The grounds need no ticket, but vehicles pay the park entry fee. Phone the Byron Bay office to ask about tower tours. |
| On-site logistics | Bring binoculars, a hat and sunscreen. Drones, pets and smoking are not allowed. The Cape Byron Lighthouse Cafe has been closed since 31 May 2026, so bring water and food. |
Frequently asked questions about the Cape Byron Lighthouse
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Cape Byron Lighthouse free to visit? | The grounds have no ticket. Park entry fees apply to vehicles at $10 per hour, up to one hour per day. |
| Can you go inside Cape Byron Lighthouse? | Yes, on a guided tour. Public tours run on limited days and times. Phone 02 6639 8300 to check. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Cape Byron Lighthouse? | Tours are arranged through the NPWS Byron Bay office. Phone or email ahead, because tours run limited days and times. |
| Is Cape Byron Lighthouse open on Sundays? | The reserve is open all hours. The lighthouse lawn is open 8am to sunset and the Maritime Museum is open 10am to 4pm daily. |
| Is Cape Byron Lighthouse suitable for children? | The grounds are flat and step-free. The tower has a narrow spiral staircase and is not accessible for prams. |
Things to do near the Cape Byron Lighthouse
- Cape Byron Walking Track: a 3.7 km loop through rainforest, grassland, beach and clifftop that passes the lighthouse.
- Wategos Beach: a sheltered beach just north-west of the lighthouse, with free barbecues and picnic tables.
- Tallow Beach: a long beach south of the headland, 3.2 km from the heart of Byron Bay.
- Walgun Cape Byron Information Centre: visitor information for the area, at 199 Lighthouse Road, close to the lighthouse car park.
- Byron Bay town centre: the main town for cafes, shops and accommodation, 2 km west of the lighthouse.
Alternative attractions
- Richmond River Lighthouse, Ballina: an active lighthouse at Ballina Head, about 26 km south of Cape Byron in a straight line.
- Fingal Head Lighthouse: a lighthouse on the southern head of the Tweed River, about 49 km north in a straight line.
- Point Danger Lighthouse, Coolangatta: a lighthouse on the Queensland border, about 4 km from Fingal Head.
- Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head: a headland lookout at the end of the Lennox Head Boardwalk, about 20 km and 20 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay.
- Three Sisters lookout, Broken Head: a 1.6 km return rainforest walk to a coastal lookout, about 8.5 km and 15 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Why Ballina is more than just a gateway town for Byron Bay.
- Byron Bay beach guides: Wategos Beach and Whites Beach.
- Planning a visit to the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour.
- Bago Maze visitor guide: What to expect at Australia’s largest hedge maze.
- Mid-North Coast beach guides: Burgess Beach in Forster.
