Looking east across The Pass
If you take a left hand turn down Brooke Drive before you venture up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, you'll find yourself at a lovely little spot known as "The Pass." Most surfers know this one, but you don't have to be a surfer to enjoy this Byron Bay hideaway.
Board storage while you have a light snack
The Pass is the gap created by Mother Nature between Fisherman's Lookout and the headland, which is an ideal whale watching or sunset viewing position. There is a gentle stretch of beach which sweeps all the way around (north) to Main Beach for those inclined to beach fitness. This is also where the dive boats launch from and there is a metered car park and picnic area nearby.
Verandah under the trees @ The Pass Cafe
Just in case all that whale watching and beach combing is making you hungry, a visit to
The Pass Cafe might be in order.
The Pass Cafe has a local beach vibe and sitting on the shady verandah, gazing out to sea through the paperbarks, is arguably a great way to spend an afternoon. The food is all sourced locally with an emphasis on fresh and filling. I highly recommend the Julian Rocks Burger (beer battered fish of the day) and my kids devoured the home baked banana bread in a flash.
Magical Palm Valley
Before you leave The Pass, take a short (700 m) detour into Palm Valley. The 15 minute walk takes you through a small and sacred feeling pocket of Burrawang Palms which is the site for the oldest Aboriginal Midden in the region. The walk is part of the Cape Byron Walking track (a stunning 3.7 km circuit).
