Updated in October 2026, this Walgun Cape Byron walking track guide, (also known as the Cape Byron Walking Track), covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
The Cape Byron Walking Track is a 3.7 km coastal loop in Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, Byron Bay. Parking at the lighthouse costs $10 per vehicle per hour, with a one-hour maximum per day. Other track car parks cost $5 per vehicle per hour. This guide was last updated in October 2026 and confirms the current fees and the track grading, which some older guides do not reflect.
Quick facts: the Cape Byron Walking Track
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open all hours, though the area may close in poor weather or fire danger. |
| Ticket prices | No separate ticket. Park entry fees apply to vehicles: $10 per hour at the lighthouse, $5 per hour at the other car parks. |
| Address | Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay NSW 2481. Start points: Captain Cook Lookout, The Pass, Wategos Beach and Cape Byron Lighthouse. |
| Nearest transport or parking | Car parks at all four start points. The town centre is 2 km west of the lighthouse. |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 3 hours for the 3.7 km loop |
| Grade | Grade 3, with short steep hills and many steps |
The Cape Byron Walking Track opening hours
The track is in Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, which is open all hours. NPWS may close the area at times because of poor weather or fire danger. The hours are the same all year, and the official website lists no seasonal changes.
Nearby facilities have their own hours:
- Walgun Cape Byron Information Centre: 9.30am to 4.30pm daily, closed Christmas Day.
- Lighthouse lawn: 8am to sunset.
- Maritime Museum at the lighthouse: 10am to 4pm daily.
Check the NPWS alerts page before you set out, as sections of the track close from time to time.
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.
The Cape Byron Walking Track ticket prices
The walk has no separate ticket, but park entry fees apply when you park a vehicle. Fees depend on the car park.
- Cape Byron Lighthouse lawn and Information Centre: $10 per vehicle per hour, or $4 per hour for motorcycles. The maximum is one hour per vehicle per calendar day, including NPWS annual passholders.
- Captain Cook (Bawaii) lookout, Cosy Corner and The Pass: $5 per vehicle or motorcycle per hour. Pay machines accept tap and pay by card or phone.
- Coaches: $30 for up to 30 seats, $57 for 31 to 43 seats and $94 for 44 seats or more.
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.
How to get to the Cape Byron Walking Track
The loop can be started from several points: Captain Cook Lookout, The Pass, Wategos Beach and Cape Byron Lighthouse. To reach them, follow Lawson Street from the Byron Bay town centre. It becomes Lighthouse Road. Look for the signs.
- By car: the roads to the lighthouse are sealed and suit 2WD vehicles in all weather.
- On foot from town: the lighthouse is 2 km east of the town centre.
- Public transport: the official website lists driving directions only. Check Transport for NSW for bus options.
The track can be accessed at numerous points and walked in shorter sections.
Parking at the Cape Byron Walking Track
Parking is available at Captain Cook Lookout, The Pass, Wategos Beach and Cape Byron Lighthouse. Fees apply, and the area can be busy at weekends, so parking may be limited.
The lighthouse car park is the most restricted. It allows one hour per vehicle per day. A walker who plans to complete the loop should park at one of the other start points. The $5 sites at Captain Cook lookout, Cosy Corner and The Pass have no one-hour limit listed.
The lighthouse car park has one accessible space.
How long to spend at the Cape Byron Walking Track
NPWS suggests 1 to 3 hours for the 3.7 km loop. Allow a good two hours to see the track properly, including time at the lookouts.
| Track feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance | 3.7 km loop |
| Grade | Grade 3 |
| Gradient | Short steep hills |
| Steps | Many steps |
| Path | Formed track, clearly signposted |
| Experience | None required |
The best time depends on the season. Spring is cooler for walking. Summer suits swimming and snorkelling. Winter brings migrating whales. Summer averages are 22 to 27°C and winter averages are 15 to 21°C. March is the wettest month and September is the driest.
Accessibility at the Cape Byron Walking Track
NPWS rates disability access as hard. Wheelchairs can use some parts of the track with difficulty. Most of the track is steep with many steps.
The boardwalk from Captain Cook Lookout to Brooke Drive is accessible for prams and wheelchairs. The lighthouse tower has no wheelchair, pram or scooter access. The area around it is flat and step-free.
Accessible toilets and picnic tables are at the nearby Information Centre. Only registered assistance animals are allowed, as pets are not permitted.
What to see on the Cape Byron Walking Track
The track passes through rainforest, beach, grassland and clifftop. It ends at Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Walkers pass through the shade of bangalow palms and ancient burrawangs. The track also crosses kangaroo grasslands.
Wategos Beach is a sheltered beach on the northern side of the cape. Local bottlenose dolphins use it, and steep steps at the end of the beach climb to the lighthouse.
The clifftop sections give ocean and hinterland views, including from the Easterly Point lookout near the most easterly point of the Australian mainland.
Cape Byron Lighthouse is the high point of the walk. Its Maritime Museum tells stories of shipwrecks and the sea.
Watch the water for turtles, dolphins and stingrays. Humpback whales pass between May and November.
NPWS works with Aboriginal community partners to protect The Pass midden, a recorded Aboriginal site in the area. Licensed operators run guided sunrise tours and a 1.5-hour Aboriginal cultural tour.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Allow two hours for the loop and start early at weekends, when parking is limited. |
| Crowds | The lighthouse end is busiest. Starting at The Pass or Wategos Beach avoids the one-hour lighthouse car park limit. |
| Layout | The loop can be joined at four start points and walked in short sections. Follow the signs and stay on the track. |
| Entry process | There is no walk ticket. Pay the park entry fee at the car park machine, using tap and pay if needed. |
| On-site logistics | Take drinking water, a hat and sunscreen. Stay away from cliff edges. Mobile reception is limited, and the lighthouse cafe has been closed since 31 May 2026. |
Frequently asked questions about the Cape Byron Walking Track
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Cape Byron Walking Track free? | There is no walk ticket, but park entry fees apply to vehicles at $5 or $10 per hour, depending on the car park. |
| How long does the Cape Byron Walking Track take? | NPWS suggests 1 to 3 hours for the 3.7 km loop. A good two hours is recommended. |
| Is the Cape Byron Walking Track suitable for children? | The track is Grade 3 with many steps. It can be walked in shorter sections from several start points. |
| Do you need to book for the Cape Byron Walking Track? | No. The track needs no booking. Only guided tours and the lighthouse tower tours need arranging in advance. |
| Are dogs allowed on the Cape Byron Walking Track? | No. Pets are not permitted. Certified assistance animals are allowed. |
Things to do near the Cape Byron Walking Track
- Cape Byron Lighthouse: a working lighthouse on the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. It is on the loop, and has a Maritime Museum at its base.
- Wategos Beach: a sheltered beach just north-west of the lighthouse, on the loop. It has free barbecues and picnic tables.
- The Pass: a start point on the loop, with parking and beach access. NPWS protects The Pass midden nearby.
- Tallow Beach: a long beach south of the headland, 3.2 km from the heart of Byron Bay.
- Byron Bay town centre: the main town for cafes, shops and accommodation, 2 km west of the lighthouse.
Alternative attractions
- Three Sisters walking track, Broken Head: a 1.6 km return Grade 2 walk through rainforest to a coastal lookout, about 8.5 km and 15 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay.
- Lennox Head Boardwalk: a flat 1.4 km coastal boardwalk to Pat Morton Lookout, about 20 km and 20 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay.
- Killen Falls: a short rainforest walk to a waterfall lookout, with a steeper track to the base, about 25 km and 30 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay.
- Minyon Falls Loop: a Grade 3 walk of about 13 km return in Nightcap National Park, about 34 km and 45 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay.
- Victoria Park Boardwalk: a 400 m loop through remnant Big Scrub rainforest, about 50 km and 40 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.
