The walk out to Cape Byron Lighthouse is the classic Byron Bay morning. The path from the town takes about 45 minutes each way, climbing through the small headland reserve before opening onto views of the coast in both directions: Main Beach and Clarkes Beach curving away to the north, Tallow Beach stretching south. The lighthouse itself is still operational, built from reinforced concrete in 1901 and one of the most powerful in Australia.
Between June and November, the headland is one of the best free whale-watching spots on the east coast. Humpbacks pass close to the point during their annual migration north to the Coral Sea and back south again; on good days you can see them breaching from the clifftop path without binoculars. Dolphins are visible year-round, often in pods surfing the swells below the lighthouse.
Entry to the headland reserve is free. The lighthouse itself opens for tours on weekend mornings. The carpark at the top costs money; walking from town is free and more rewarding.