Thomson Cottage
Cape Byron State Conservation Area
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Thomson Cottage.
Getting there and parking
Thomson Cottage is located on Brooke Drive, just 2km east of Byron Bay town centre. To get there, follow Lawson Street (which becomes Lighthouse Road) and turn left after the boardwalk.
Keys can be collected from Byron Bay Hotel and Apartments. Contact their office on (02) 6620 9600 from 9am to 5pm if you want to arrange after hours collection.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
There is a private lockable garage for one car and two additional parking spaces.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Cape Byron State Conservation Area. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
With the weather being a bit cooler, it's the perfect time of year for walking, barbecues and picnics on the beach.
Summer
Summer holidays beckon you – enjoy swimming, snorkelling, surfing, building sandcastles, or relaxing in the shade.
Winter
Cape Byron is a great spot to watch for whales on their annual migration - remember to take binoculars.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
22°C and 27°C
Highest recorded
35.1°C
Winter temperature
Average
15°C and 21°C
Lowest recorded
3.3°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
350.4mm
Facilities
- Thomson Cottage is fully furnished and includes an open plan kitchen, lounge and dining area, a bathroom, 3 bedrooms and a large verandah with electric barbecue and outdoor seating, overlooking the beach.
- Bedding configuration: 1 queen bed, 1 queen bed and 2 single beds.
- All bed linen and towels are provided.
- Cot hire is available. Call (02) 6620 9300 before your stay to arrange.
- The kitchen has an electric oven and stove, fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster. Basic kitchenware, cutlery and glassware are included.
- The cottage also includes a TV, DVD player and CD player/ radio, washing machine, dryer, air-conditioning and an outdoor shower.
- Please ensure you leave the property clean and tidy with all kitchen items washed up and put away. Hourly additional fees may be charged for any unreasonable cleaning required or missing/broken items.
- Rubbish bins are provided
- Please be considerate of others and keep the noise down. Fees apply if security is called to the property.
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Barbecue facilities
- Gas/electric barbecues (free)
Drinking water
Showers
- Hot showers
Electric power
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
There are eleven steps to access the cottage from the parking space.
Prohibited
Fees apply should a security guard be called to the premises for noise pollution or other
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the OEH pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Park info
- in Cape Byron State Conservation Area in the North Coast region
- Cape Byron State Conservation Area is open all hours, but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- Cape Byron Lighthouse precinct is open 8am to sunset.
- The Maritime Museum in the former Lighthouse Keeper’s office at the base of the lighthouse is open 10am to 4pm daily.
- Opening before 8am for events or disabled access can be arranged by prior notice – contact NPWS Byron Bay office during business hours 02 6620 9300.
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per hour/$4 per hour motorcycles at the Cape Byron Lighthouse and Information Centre carpark.
$4 per vehicle per hour at Captain Cook lookout, Cosy Corner, and The Pass carparks.
There's coin-operated and credit card payment facilities.
Buy an annual pass.-
- Byron Bay
(02) 6620 9300
Contact hours: 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday - Tallow Beach Road, Byron Bay NSW
- Email: npws.byroncoast@environment.nsw.gov.au
Fax: (02) 6620 9333
- Byron Bay
-
- Cape Byron Lighthouse
(02) 6685 5955
Contact hours: 9.30am-4.30pm daily (closed Christmas Day) - Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay NSW 2481
- Email: cape.byron@environment.nsw.gov.au
Fax: (02) 6620 9333
- Cape Byron Lighthouse