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Location map

Cape Byron, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland

Sign at Cape Byron

Cape Byron Lighthouse

Cape Byron is the easternmost point of the mainland of Australia^[1] and is one of the extreme points of Earth. It is located about 3 km (1.8 miles) northeast of the town of Byron Bay and projects into the Pacific Ocean.

[edit] Geography

The headland of Cape Byron is situated in the eastern part of the Byron Shire Council in New South Wales. The coordinates are 28°37′58″S 153°38′20″E / 28.63278°S 153.63889°E / -28.63278; 153.63889Coordinates: 28°37′58″S 153°38′20″E / 28.63278°S 153.63889°E / -28.63278; 153.63889.

It has the 18 metre (59 feet) high Cape Byron lighthouse which opened in 1901,^[2] as well as a walking trail and several look-outs to watch the migration of humpback whales.

The cape is part of the 22,000 hectare Cape Byron Marine Park, established in November 2002.^[3]

[edit] History

The cape was named by British explorer Captain James Cook on passing here on 15 May 1770, to honour British explorer John Byron who circumnavigated the globe in the HMS Dolphin from 1764 to 1766.^[4]

[edit] References

1. ^ "Cape Byron Headland Reserve", byronbay.com.
2. ^ "The Cape Byron Lighthouse", Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
3. ^ "Cape Byron Marine Park", Marine Parks Authority NSW.
4. ^ Ray Parkin, H. M. Bark Endeavour, Miegunyah Press, second edition 2003, ISBN 0-522-85093-6, page 221.

[edit] External links

• About Cape Byron
• Map of Cape Byron
• Image of Cape Byron