Today’s travel photo is from one of our favourite spots in Australia: Byron Bay.
When Alex, my oldest daughter, was 11, I decided it was time to have a look at Australia. A partial incentive was half-priced children’s flight tickets and back in 1999, the cut-off age was 12. We flew to Sydney and after a week there hopped on the bus to Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast. Travelling with an 11-year-old means a few compromises and the amusement parks on the Gold Coast was one.
On the way to Surfer’s, the bus stopped in Byron Bay. Oddly, even though it’s one of the more famous towns in Oz, I had never heard of it. Sometimes it pays to have a look in a guide book. As the bus pulled into town, we both liked what we saw and decided to stay for a bit. We’ve been back in New South Wales many times since then, and always try to fit in a stop here.
Any connection to Lord Byron, you ask? Well, I asked, anyway. And yes, there is, thanks to the intrepid Captain Cook. He found a safe haven here and named the place after famous circumnavigator John Byron, grandfather of the romantic poet.
Hippy Byron
Byron Bay is a hippy-ish, New Age kinda town. All sorts of fun fairs are on offer: music, films, writing, even the odd pagan festival. Add that to an active surfers’ scene and you’ve got a lively, yet laid-back and colourful place.
Hippies and surfers aside, to me nothing says Byron Bay quite so much as the 111-year-old lighthouse. It’s on the easternmost point of mainland Australia and it shines a mighty powerful light. I think it’s just beautiful.
Where have you seen beautiful lighthouses?
For more photo fun, head over to this week’s Travel Photo Thursday.
I’ve not been to Byron Bay yet… but the clouds look very pretty and I do like a good lighthouse
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..Destination Malaysia: On the Straits of Melaka
Right across the water from you… OK, I know it’s a 3-hour flight
Great shot, Sophie. I visited Australia in 1980 and I don’t think I made it to Byron Bay…next time!
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — July 19, 2012 — A Hill With a View — Czech’s Kutna Hora
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We didn’t make it to Byron Bay while we were in Australia. Looks like a beautiful lighthouse and a quirky little city. Next time!
jade recently posted..I’m craving the calm chowder from Pismo Beach
Very quirky.
I grew up just south of Byron and spent many happy childhood days visiting the lighthouse and doing the walk down to all the little beaches near the headland that as kids we were sure were secret beaches! Back then there were goats all over the headland, it was a lot of fun. Glad you got to see it. It’s a lovely spot.
Tracy recently posted..Two very different days
Ooh, must have been a fab spot to grow up in.
I haven’t been to Byron Bay for ages but this is how I remember it too. I’d love to go back!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Capture the Colour
Me too. It’s been a few years…
I was just in Australia but didn’t make it to Byron Bay, it’s such a big country. I love lighthouses too, my favorite one is one in the very remote Flannen Isles, off the west coast of Scotland.
Laurel recently posted..Mindil Beach Sunset Market, Darwin
Flannan Isles, that’s the Outer Hebrides, isn’t it? So on my list.
I love lighthouses anywhere. Must be some kind of Virginia Woolf heritage.
ItalianNotes recently posted..5 Foods You Must Try in Rome
To the Lighthouse!
We are hoping to head to Australia in 2014. Will have to add this to our list! Thanks so much for the travel inspiration.
walkingon travels recently posted..5 Reasons I Love A Good Mother Son Dance
You’re welcome
I would never have pegged Byron Bay or Australia even as a hippie, New Agey king of place, though I’m not sure why.
I love the lighthouse and the place looks quite beautiful.
InsideJourneys recently posted..China’s Terracotta Warriors Visit New York City #TPThursday
Byron Bay is full of surprises. Most of Australia is, in fact.
Haven’t been to Australia yet but will definitely keep Byron Bay in mind – love the lighthouse. I think my favourite lighthouse will always be the one in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.
Lisa recently posted..Capture The Colour Photo Contest
We missed Peggy’s Cove when we were in Nova Scotia. Hear it’s very pretty there, lighthouse and everything else.
I love how the clouds and the sky helped you out to make that amazing picture.
Jessica recently posted..When to Use Black and White Photos
Isn’t it great when nature cooperates so well?
Looks like a fun town. And the lighthouse pic is beautiful!
Sabrina recently posted..Monte San Vito – Tiny Town in Le Marche Region in Italy
I think you’d like Byron, Sabrina.
Loved the lighthouse and the town. The tales that old lighthouse could tell after a century of lighting the way for others! Nice photos and I love the way you add the map. I need to do that more often.
Jackie Smith recently posted..TPThursday: Go North “Young” Woman
The maps are useful. Also, I love maps.
I love this photo!! The clouds look stunning behind the lighthouse too!!
Becca@R We There Yet Mom? recently posted..Friday Daydreamin’:Do You Visit Memorials?
Thanks, Becca.
I spent two weeks in Byron Bay in 1979 – living the good life let me tell you. I have nothing but wonderful memories from that time – and it was sleepy with a hippy vibe back then.
Leigh recently posted..A Hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers & Lake Louise Tea House
I would love to travel to Byron Bay of that time. Can easily picture living the good life there in the 70s.
“Hippy” Byron looks like a fun place! Beautiful photo of the lighthouse, Sophie. Much enjoyed learning some of the history of Cape Byron, too.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Traveling with Flying Colors
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I love Byron Bay and living in Brisbane means that we visit often…in fact we just spent the day there earlier this week
Dean recently posted..Photo Essay: As the sun sets on the Mekong River in Vientiane, Laos
Lucky you!
Wow, what a funky town! I’ll definitely have to add it to my eventual trip to Australia. Very cool–I love finding out about unique places like this. Thanks for sharing!
maq203 recently posted..How is the Tourism Industry in Koh Samui
Funky, indeed.
This looks just like my kind of place and re your Facebook question: Well, there’s just something about lighthouses isn’t there? Love them! There’s a beautiful one here in Turkey that sits right on the edge of a rocky peninsula, dividing the the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Reallu wild and windy. The Brits don’t do a bad lighthouse, either.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently posted..Faralya to Ölü Deniz Road – A Photo
Haven’t seen that many in Turkey, sadly. Something to look out for. I agree about Britain, heaps of lovely and quirky lighthouses there.
My great aunt lived and operated the lighthouse in Key West for many years. It’s my favorite as a result:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..The San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge
How cool! We were in Key West last year, but only for a day, so missed the lighthouse.
That lighthouse shot is great! I heard we have quite a few near us in Stavanger but haven’t explored yet (still working on that drivers licence)
Andrea recently posted..Travel Memories: Easters in Tasmania
Yes, quite a few lighthouses in western Norway – and you can spend the night in some of them, too.
Looks like a great festival town!
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It is
I love that lighthouse shot – looks completely stunning. The rest of the town looks fun too.
Erica Price recently posted..Review: Straw Art Kit
I lived in Byron for a couple of months, and the lighthouse was one of those places that I kept meaning to visit. I finally did, and it was entirely brilliant. Plus there was an ice cream stall very close to it, which had some fantastic hokey pokey ice cream! Which made the whole experience even better
Laurence recently posted..Top tips for surviving a European city in summer
Hokey Pokey ice cream! Haven’t tried that since we lived in New Zealand 9 years ago. Memories…
Gorgeous photos, looks like a fun place to travel! I visited Maine for the first time last summer, and was taken away by their iconic lighthouses…just like a postcard!
Jess @UsedYorkCity recently posted..Memoirs Of A Japanese Bathhouse
Oh yes, Maine has some nice ones. And some that look a little spooky. Or maybe I’ve read too many Stephen King novels…
I have a soft spot for new-age, hippyish towns… but the real gem seems to be the 100+ lighthouse. Gorgeous photo!
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Ireland: Tips, Tricks, and Local Flavor
Yeah, me too. Very interesting, these alternative towns.
This photo feels dark and cold.. not your first thoughts of Aus.. the dark sky and clouds really set the mood. I like it! If it were darker it would have made a great silhouette shot too!
Escaping Abroad recently posted..Photo of the Week – Montezuma Castle
Agreed – dark and cold isn’t the first that comes to mind when thinking of Australia.
Ok this is a fantastic picture Anne-Sophie! You should make a poster out of it. Would love to see this place by myself sometime.Seems like a great location.
Cheers
Drake
Drake recently posted..http://www.drakequotes.net/
Maybe I will
I love this photos! It is great way to see Australia on the lens. Super love this post.
Cheers from the Philippines
Thanks, Doc
Great photos! Byron Bay is a fantastic place but unfortunately it has become a bit touristy over the years. The locals are always complaining about the visitors… quite a few residents who want a bit of peace and quiet have moved to other spots along the coast (which, incidentally, are also worth visiting if you’re in the area).
Turtle recently posted..Sailing the Greek islands
Happens to all great places, doesn’t it.. The world is becoming too small.
That sounds like a really fun place to stumble upon with your daughter, and it sounds like you are happy you did. I actually think Byron Bay sounds pretty similar in feeling to a small town outside of Hilo, HI on the Big Island called Pahoa. That small town, hippy vibe where everyone just seems to be relaxed all day- it is so interesting, but definitely not somewhere I could live forever. The lighthouse in Byron Bay is surely beautiful- is it easily found or close to the actual city?
Easily found in Byron Bay. Hawaii is still unexplored territory to me. One day…
This is a beautiful photo. And Byron Bay has always been a dream of mine.
Thanks, Louise. Yes, Byron is one of the legendary places in Australia.
Nice photos. I like the photo of the lighthouse. What year were the photos taken?
Oh, that would be about 10 years ago. Looking forward to return in not too long (fingers crossed
)
Really great photo of the lighthouse. I live near a lighthouse in Denmark, so it’s something homey and safe about them.
Lots of lovely light houses in Denmark
This hippy corner of Australia is on my list for sure. Then, there’s an even more hippyish place nearby, I’ve heard, supposed to be all counter-culture and radical and … A little like Christiania in Copenhagen. I’ve forgotten the name.
You might be thinking of Nimbin.