Minyon Falls
Minyon Falls
Minyon Falls is a waterfall in the Nightcap National Park, New South Wales, Australia. Standing at over 100 metres (330 ft) high, this waterfall is a popular visitor attraction and is located within easy reach of the nearby town of Byron Bay.
The falls themselves are the result of the water of Repentance Creek flowing over the huge rhyolite cliffs which were once part of the Tweed Volcano. The water flow eroded the underlying basalt away to create the 100-metre waterfall.[1] Nightcap National Park was added to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Site in 1986.
The falls themselves are the result of the water of Repentance Creek flowing over the huge rhyolite cliffs which were once part of the Tweed Volcano. The water flow eroded the underlying basalt away to create the 100-metre waterfall.[1] Nightcap National Park was added to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Site in 1986.
Tours
There are many ways to see the lighthouse and one of them is a leisurely walk. To walk to the Lighthouse it is possible to start from the car park outside the Beach Hotel, at the end of Jonson Street in the heart of Byron Bay . The walk covers about eight kilometres and takes 2½ hours. First, walk along Main Beach and then Clark 's Beach as far as it is possible to walk. This is a distance of nearly two kilometres. At the end, you will find The Pass, where there is a car park and viewpoint. There are good views just a few metres from this point.
Continue on to Watego's Beach and beyond. At the end of the beach, there is an uphill climb once more, and then come to a point of decision: up or down. It seems a shame to waste the energy already expended in climbing up some way, but to enjoy another view go down, passing a track on the left which leads to Little Watego's Beach, and trek out to the end of the peninsula, where there is another good view. Return from the easterly peninsula, there is a good stiff climb up the cliff.
After a while there is another lookout with possibly the best view yet, which is a good excuse for a short rest. Then more climbing, soon rewarded by yet another lookout, this time over what might be a point even further east. On looking carefully and spending a little time on this grassy slope, dolphins are often spotted frolicking in the ocean far below. There is no doubt that dolphins have extrovert characters and enjoy displaying their gymnastics to the humans who can never rival them in agility, grace or beauty. If it is winter, whales can also be seen from this point.
The lighthouse is already clearly in view at the top of the slope and is a walk with a little exertion, especially in the heat of summer. It has been shining its warnings out across these waters for a century now, and is still in use. The headland here is 94 metres above sea level, and the lighthouse is a further 22 metres high. It was built in 1901, made of concrete blocks.
It uses a 1000-watt tungsten halogen lamp of 2.2 million candle-power, one of the most powerful lights in the southern hemisphere. It flashes every fifteen seconds and has a range of 27 nautical miles. The mirror is two metres in diameter and it continues to revolve even during the day to minimise the fire hazard.
If we proceed past the lighthouse, there are buildings housing a tea room and souvenir shop and the office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and another good view from the car parking area outside. A road comes up this far and it can be followed if returning downhill by a different route. From here there is a view out over Tallow Beach stretching away down the coast.
The path soon diverges from the road and passes through a shaded forest area, up a knoll and then back down to the road by Captain Cook's Lookout, not that he ever did look out here, but from here there is the last good view of the walk. From here, it is possible to stroll back to town along the cliff top as an alternative to the beach.
To enjoy a shorter walk, access to the lighthouse can be made by car from numerous parking areas nearer to the lighthouse and just a short drive from Byron Bay .
Take a step back in time and discover what the daily duties of the lighthouse keepers and their families at Cape Byron would have been like on the Historic lighthouse tour. See the signal flags and the keepers’ desk and uniform, providing a reminder of days gone by when three families were living at Cape Byron from 1901 to 1989. Enjoy climbing the tower, stopping at each of the three levels before stepping out onto the top balcony to get a bird’s eye view into the marine park below and surrounding hinterland. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
When : Tours are available every 20 minutes from 10am to 3pm depending on suitable weather and availability (closed Christmas Day)
Where : Cape Byron Lighthouse in Cape Byron State Cons. Area. See getting there information.Presented
by : Volunteers
Grading : Medium. Suitable for 5 years and over.
Price : Gold coin donation
Wheelchair access : Not wheelchair-accessible
Bookings : No bookings required for these 20 minute tours. For more information phone NPWS Cape Byron Lighthouse office on (02) 6620 9300.
Continue on to Watego's Beach and beyond. At the end of the beach, there is an uphill climb once more, and then come to a point of decision: up or down. It seems a shame to waste the energy already expended in climbing up some way, but to enjoy another view go down, passing a track on the left which leads to Little Watego's Beach, and trek out to the end of the peninsula, where there is another good view. Return from the easterly peninsula, there is a good stiff climb up the cliff.
After a while there is another lookout with possibly the best view yet, which is a good excuse for a short rest. Then more climbing, soon rewarded by yet another lookout, this time over what might be a point even further east. On looking carefully and spending a little time on this grassy slope, dolphins are often spotted frolicking in the ocean far below. There is no doubt that dolphins have extrovert characters and enjoy displaying their gymnastics to the humans who can never rival them in agility, grace or beauty. If it is winter, whales can also be seen from this point.
The lighthouse is already clearly in view at the top of the slope and is a walk with a little exertion, especially in the heat of summer. It has been shining its warnings out across these waters for a century now, and is still in use. The headland here is 94 metres above sea level, and the lighthouse is a further 22 metres high. It was built in 1901, made of concrete blocks.
It uses a 1000-watt tungsten halogen lamp of 2.2 million candle-power, one of the most powerful lights in the southern hemisphere. It flashes every fifteen seconds and has a range of 27 nautical miles. The mirror is two metres in diameter and it continues to revolve even during the day to minimise the fire hazard.
If we proceed past the lighthouse, there are buildings housing a tea room and souvenir shop and the office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and another good view from the car parking area outside. A road comes up this far and it can be followed if returning downhill by a different route. From here there is a view out over Tallow Beach stretching away down the coast.
The path soon diverges from the road and passes through a shaded forest area, up a knoll and then back down to the road by Captain Cook's Lookout, not that he ever did look out here, but from here there is the last good view of the walk. From here, it is possible to stroll back to town along the cliff top as an alternative to the beach.
To enjoy a shorter walk, access to the lighthouse can be made by car from numerous parking areas nearer to the lighthouse and just a short drive from Byron Bay .
Take a step back in time and discover what the daily duties of the lighthouse keepers and their families at Cape Byron would have been like on the Historic lighthouse tour. See the signal flags and the keepers’ desk and uniform, providing a reminder of days gone by when three families were living at Cape Byron from 1901 to 1989. Enjoy climbing the tower, stopping at each of the three levels before stepping out onto the top balcony to get a bird’s eye view into the marine park below and surrounding hinterland. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
When : Tours are available every 20 minutes from 10am to 3pm depending on suitable weather and availability (closed Christmas Day)
Where : Cape Byron Lighthouse in Cape Byron State Cons. Area. See getting there information.Presented
by : Volunteers
Grading : Medium. Suitable for 5 years and over.
Price : Gold coin donation
Wheelchair access : Not wheelchair-accessible
Bookings : No bookings required for these 20 minute tours. For more information phone NPWS Cape Byron Lighthouse office on (02) 6620 9300.
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