Byron Bay Lighthouse Aboriginal Walking Tour offers alternative perspective of popular tourism attraction

A new walking tour has been launched by award-winning Indigenous tour operator Delta Kay, providing visitors with an Aboriginal perspective of the coastline around the Byron Bay Lighthouse.

The tour aims to infuse an Aboriginal narrative around the Lighthouse, a European symbol, offering a viewpoint that will give visitors a much richer perspective of the Byron region.

The inspiring two-and-a-half-hour circular tour covers the 3.7 km Walgun Cape Byron Lighthouse Loop Trail, requiring moderate fitness and a sense of adventure.

Beginning at Clarkes Beach, the tour takes guests up the Tallow Ridge Walking Track through serene coastal rainforests before reaching the Cape Byron Lighthouse, revealing breathtaking panoramic views of the region.

The tour then follows the Cape Byron Walking Track past Australia's most easterly point, Wategos Beach, The Pass and then returns to Clarkes Beach.

During the tour, Delta Kay shares powerful Dreaming stories, offering deep insights into the cultural and spiritual significance of the surrounding landscapes. Guests also have the opportunity to learn about native bush foods and natural medicine and sometimes spot native wildlife like dolphins, koalas, sea eagles and wallabies.

Kay’s company Explore Byron Bay has been offering Indigenous-themed tours of Walgun (Cape Byron), Bangalow, and Broken Head for five years. Last year, her tours won gold for Excellence in Cultural Tourism in the Northern NSW Tourism Awards, an award recognising tour operators that foster a greater understanding and appreciation of authentic culture, history, heritage and the arts.

Delta Kay is a highly respected Arakwal Bundjalung woman whose ancestors have lived in the area surrounding Byron Bay for thousands of years and passed down Arakwal customs, knowledge, ceremonies and stories to her for safe keeping.

Kay shared “our tours are a meaningful blend of culture, nature, and inspiration—perfect for anyone seeking a deeper appreciation of Byron Bay’s heritage.

“There are opportunities to learn some Bundjalung language and we’ll explore native bush foods, natural medicine, tools, weapons and artefacts.

“I want people to leave my tours with a deeper understanding of how my family have always cared for the land and are still caring for it.

“I believe this understanding leads to a stronger feeling of belonging for our locals and a deeper respect from visitors who want to connect with Indigenous people and learn about this incredible place we call Byron.

“The Lighthouse, of course, is such a European symbol, and the fact that we can infuse the Aboriginal narrative into the experience provides a truly unique viewpoint that will give visitors a much richer perspective of the Byron region.”

The small-group tours operate on Friday and Sunday evenings and depart at 5pm during summer to take advantage of the mild tropical evenings and spectacular sunsets. The cost is $99 per person.

Bookings and further information

Image top. Delta Kay, Explore Byron Bay; Image centre and below: Byron Bay lighthouse. Credit: Destination NSW