Cape Byron Sunrise
I am often around the coast here early in the morning for surfing, swimming, or photography; however this week I experienced my first sunrise at the actual Cape Byron lighthouse.
I was initially taken aback by how many other people had the same idea on what was just a regular weekday morning with no interesting cloud patterns or lunar events. In hindsight I shouldn’t really be surprised as this is the most easterly point of the Australian mainland and as such receives technically the first light of a new day. Witnessing a new day dawn from this spot is clearly a thing. I stopped counting people at seventy.
There are various routes up to the lighthouse by foot or car but I walked up the trail from Wategos Beach which is a bit over a kilometer along the coastal headland path. Leaving the car at Wategos made for a nice walk up and back exploring Little Wategos on the return leg and a lovely swim in the surf at the end.
Pre dawn crew gathering
As I mentioned there was no interesting cloud to harness the light on this particular morning, and the sunrise itself wasn’t that spectacular, but it was still a nice experience and one that I would definitely recommend next time you are visiting. Get there in plenty of time to park and walk up from Wategos, and allow time to enjoy the pre dawn calm in anticipation of the sunrise. I would also recommend packing some breakfast to enjoy as a picnic after your swim on your return back down.
First light upon the most easterly point of Australia’s mainland
Thank you for reading this edition of “Out & About”. If you are interested in my work or any previous posts the website can be easily access via links in the header of this post.
I hope you too find some time to get out and about soon.
Peter H.