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Wategos Beach east and west

Cape Byron State Conservation Area

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Venue info

All the practical information you need to know about Wategos Beach east and west.

Getting there and parking

From Byron Bay town centre:

  • Take Lawson Street (which becomes Lighthouse Road) for about 1.5km
  • Stay left to continue along Palm Valley Drive for about 500m
  • Turn left onto Marine Parade
  • Continue for another 150m to council parking

Walk the short distance to Wategos Beach using beach access tracks.

Road quality

  • Sealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Paid council parking is available at Wategos Beach along Marine Parade.

Facilities

  • All rubbish must be taken with you when you leave. Please leave the area clean and tidy.
  • If significant cleaning is required there may be a fee.

Amenities

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

Carpark

Drinking water

Showers

  • Cold showers

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Tides and sand movement may affect access to Wategos Beach. It's a good idea to check tide times.

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 Plus 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).

Permitted

Food and drink

  • You may provide a celebratory glass of champagne to guests for the purpose of a toast. Maximum 1 bottle for every 4 guests.
  • This will need to be included in the special conditions of the application.

Plant materials

  • Flower arrangements containing no seed material. A florist can arrange this for you on request.
  • Silk and artificial floral arrangements are preferred

Structures, staging, furniture and amusements

  • 1 small table, maximum 1.2m2
  • Up to 24 chairs with rail style legs
  • Weighted free-standing decorative items such as small bridal arches or small columns are permitted. Arches and columns must be no larger than 1.8m high and 1.2m long.

Commercial filming and photography

  • Photography is included in the booking fee for this location 
  • If the photographer is at another location on your booked date, a booking will need to be made for that location.
  • Commercial photography and video may be permitted on application. You’ll need to obtain a small-scale photographer and wedding filming license.

Power, lighting and amplified sounds

  • 1 single speaker music player
  • Volume must be kept at a level that does not interfere with neighbours or the public
  • Non-amplified music such as a string duo, trio or quartet.

Prohibited

Commercial catering is not permitted.

Balloons, plant materials and animals are not permitted, including:

  • Flower arrangements or decorations that contain seeds, vines or exotic plant materials
  • Throwing rice, streamers, confetti or petals
  • Horse-drawn carriages
  • Candles or open flames

Amplifiers and public address systems are not permitted.

Tents, marquees and banners are not permitted. Please do not put up signage or cordon off structures or areas at Wategos Beach east and west.

Generators

Horses

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Wategos Beach east and west

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 lawn 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:

    Cape Byron Lighthouse lawn and Information Centre: $10 per vehicle per hour/$4 per hour motorcycles. Maximum 1 hour per vehicle per calendar day, including all NPWS annual passholders.

    Captain Cook lookout, Cosy Corner, and The Pass: $5 per vehicle/motorcycle per hour. Tap and pay card or phone payments accepted at pay machines. Cash and credit cards accepted at Cape Byron Information Centre.

    Coach entry: $30 per coach up to 30 seats; $57 per coach 31 to 43 seats; $94 per coach 44 seats and over.

    Buy annual pass

Visitor centre