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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 Byron Bay office before your stay to arrange a cot.
  • 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

Safety messages

Beach safety

Beaches in this park are not patrolled, and can sometimes have strong rips and currents. These beach safety tips will help you and your family stay safe in the water.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency + app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

Paddling safety

To make your paddling or kayaking adventure safer and more enjoyable, check out these paddling safety tips.

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.

Thomson Cottage Book now

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 6639 8300.

  • Park entry fees:

    $8 per vehicle per hour/$4 per hour motorcycles at Cape Byron Lighthouse precinct and Information Centre carpark. Maximum 1 hour per vehicle per calendar day, including all NPWS annual passholders.

    $4 per vehicle/motorcycle per hour in the lower lighthouse carparks and at Captain Cook lookout, Cosy Corner, and The Pass carparks. Coin-operated and credit card payment available.

    Buy an annual pass.
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Visitor centre

The view from the verandah of Thomson cottage. Photo: David Young