Assistant Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages
Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area
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Learn more about why this park is special
Assistant Lighthouse Keepers' Cottages is in Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Cape Byron Lighthouse
Perched high above Byron Bay's glorious coastline, historic Cape Byron lighthouse was constructed on this rugged headland in 1901. Its landmark 22m high white tower houses the light that still illuminates the bay of an evening. To find out more about the lighthouse take a tour with an expert guide and be sure to check out the Maritime Museum. In days gone by, lighthouse keepers were responsible for igniting the lighthouse's light of an evening. The keepers have long been replaced by automated light systems; however the Victorian Georgian style cottages in which they lived remain as heritage listed buildings. Today they operate as holiday accommodation, having been carefully restored to offer modern convenience while retaining their historical charm and an insight into the life of a lighthouse keeper.
- Cape Byron Lighthouse: A special place Experience a bird’s eye view from the top of the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse in this Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) Geography excursion. Students will learn about the features of this special place and...
- Cape Byron Lighthouse: A special place Experience a bird’s eye view from the top of the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse in this Stage 1 (Years 1-2) geography excursion. Students will learn about the features of the lighthouse and its signific...
- Walgun Cape Byron Information Centre Walgun Cape Byron Information Centre is the place to find visitor information for Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, Walgun Cape Byron Marine Park and surrounding national parks in the Byron B...
Keepers of Country
Walgun, as Walgun Cape Byron is known by its traditional custodians, maintains spiritual, cultural and historical importance for the Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) Aboriginal People. The pipi midden (shell mound) at The Pass is one of the largest and oldest in far north NSW.
- Dolphin Dreaming Dolphin Dreaming is a Stage 1 (Years 1-2) school excursion in Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, focusing on Geography. Through story, dance and creative expression, Arakwal Aboriginal guides ...
- Dolphin Dreaming Dolphin Dreaming is an Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) school excursion in Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, focusing on Geography. Through story, dance and creative expression, Arakwal Aborigin...
- Dolphin Dreaming Dolphin Dreaming is a Stage 2 (Years 3-4) school excursion in Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, focusing on Geography outcomes. Through story, dance and creative expression, Arakwal Aborigina...
- Dolphin Dreaming Dolphin Dreaming is a Stage 3 (Years 5-6) school excursion in Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area, focusing on Geography. Through story, dance and creative expression, Arakwal Aboriginal guides ...
- Palm Valley Palm Valley, or ‘The Pass,’ offers well-equipped picnic areas right by the beach, plus a popular café, several walking tracks, and access to the Fishermans lookout.
View from the top
Walgun Cape Byron State Conservation Area is part of a significant north-to-south regional corridor for migratory animals, including the fruit dove and cuckoo shrike. Locals you might be lucky enough to spot while touring the area include threatened wallabies and sea eagles. A peaceful walk through the area’s serene littoral rainforest, with plant life; such as laurel trees, white lace flowers and basket ferns, to admire along the way, is sure to further enrich your experience of the Walgun Cape Byron area.
- A whale of a time Discover the wonderful world of whales on this Stage 2 (Years 3-4) excursion around Walgun Cape Byron headland. This excursion is designed to support the Living World Science and Technology topic cont...
- Byron tandem hang gliding flights and lessons Try the thrilling sport of hang gliding with a tandem flight over spectacular Walgun Cape Byron or nearby Lennox Head. With 40 years’ experience, Byron Airwaves Hang Gliding School is your ticket to t...
- Walgun Cape Byron walking track Enjoy spectacular coastal views along the Walgun Cape Byron walking track that takes you on a hike through rainforest, beach, grassland and clifftops to the lighthouse.
- Walgun Cape Byron: The earth’s environment Join us on an Earth’s environment Geography excursion at beautiful Walgun Cape Byron for Stage 2 (Years 3-4) students. Students will explore the features of the reserve and learn about people’s differ...
- Wategos Beach Located just north west of Walgun Cape Byron and the lighthouse, Wategos Beach is one of Byron’s best places to picnic, paddle and play.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.
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Australian brush turkey (Alectura lathami)
The Australian brush turkey, also known as bush or scrub turkey, can be found in rainforests along eastern NSW. With a striking red head, blue-black plumage and booming call, these distinctive Australian birds are easy to spot while bird watching in several NSW national parks.
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Superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus)
The striking blue and black plumage of the adult male superb fairy wren makes for colourful bird watching across south-eastern Australia. The sociable superb fairy wrens, or blue wrens, are Australian birds living in groups consisting of a dominant male, mouse-brown female ‘jenny wrens’ and several tawny-brown juveniles.
Plants
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Wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana)
The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.
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Cabbage palm (Livistona australis)
With glossy green leaves spanning 3-4m in length and a trunk reaching a height of up to 30m, the cabbage tree palm, or fan palm, is one of the tallest Australian native plants. Thriving in rainforest margins along the east coast of NSW, in summer this giant palm produces striking spikes of cream flowers which resemble cabbages.
Look out for...
Wonga wonga vine
Pandorea pandorana
The wonga wonga vine is a widespread vigorous climber usually found along eastern Australia. A variation of the plant occurs in the central desert, where it resembles a sprawling shrub. One of the more common Australian native plants, the wonga wonga vine produces bell-shaped white or yellow flowers in the spring, followed by a large oblong-shaped seed pod.
Environments in this park
Education resources (1)
School excursions (11)
- A whale of a time, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Science and Technology
- Dolphin Dreaming, Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Geography
- Dolphin Dreaming, Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten), Geography
- Walgun Cape Byron: Environmental change and management, Stage 5 (Years 9-10), Geography
- Walgun Cape Byron: The earth’s environment, Stage 2 (Years 3-4), Geography