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Byron Bay, the Most Easterly Point of the Australian Mainland.
I am the third generation of my family that I know of to live in Byron Bay. I have a passion for capturing the beauty I see every day, especially the movement of sand and ocean on the Australian coastline. Points of interest in Byron Bay include the LIGHTHOUSE, built in 1901 and still a working lighthouse. The world famous Watego Surfing Beach, Scuba diving trips to Julian Rocks, surfing at The Pass and daily kayak trips for whale and dolphin spotting. Having travelled extensively around Australia, including remote Deserts and National Parks, I also have a collection of diverse images of the stunning red sand in the centre of Australia and magnificent landscape around our country. I also have images of 2 local bands, WellSwung Daddies and SOUL'D. e-mail kerryb1947@westnet.com.au |
ABOUT MY PAGES
BYRON BAY IMAGES
Byron Bay is a small seaside town with a population of around 10,000, with 1.5 million visitors coming from all over the world each year before Covid. There are many attractions, The Most Easterly Point of the Australian mainland, beautiful white sandy beaches, snorkelling, kayaking, diving, surfing, bush walking, whale and dolphin watching.
The Indigenous aboriginal people have lived in Australia for 65,000 years the local tribe, called Bundjalung of Byron Bay - Arakwal Bumberlin people, were one of over 500 tribes living in Australia before the Dutch explorers arrived in 1606. Captain Cook sailed past in 1770 and named Cavanbah, Cape Byron as a tribute to Admiral Byron.
LIGHTHOUSE
Built in 1901, Byron Bay Lighthouse is Australia's most powerful lighthouse. The lens is made of highly polished prismatic glass. The lighthouse flashes every 15 seconds. Also there are 3 dwellings, one being the Head Lighthouse Keepers Residence and the other 2 buildings for 2 Assistant Keepers Cottages, these 2 cottages are available for rental.
PEOPLE
Photos of people who are long time residents of Byron Bay.
OLD BYRON BAY PHOTOS
These are old photos of Byron Bay. It is great to look back and see how things used to be. If you have any videos or photos i could put onto my site please let me know. I find as many photos as I can to share with others who enjoyed our town as it used to be.
SURF CLUB / LIFE SAVERS BYRON BAY
Byron Bay surf club was established in 1907 and is the second oldest club north of Sydney. I was a member as a teenager raising money for the club.
S.S.WOLLONGBAR AND JETTIES
S.S.Wollongbar, grounded...On Saturday afternoon, May 14th 1921, about 200 metres off shore and getting ready to depart at 5 pm, the S.S.Wollongbar was tied to the jetty at Byron Bay after loading a cargo of butter, bacon and bananas, it was low tide and there were strong wind and waves. Waiting to board were the passengers and crew, the captain could feel the keel bumping on the seabed. He tried to head into deeper water but when the moorings were freed the Wollongbar was caught on a sandbar and it turned broadside to the waves. The wind and waves kept pushing the ship closer to land. The cargo was unloaded and furniture was saved off the ship. I used to sit on one of the beautiful swivel timber dining chairs when I was working in the office at Norco Co-operative Ltd.
The first jetty in Byron Bay was built in 1888 at the end of the main street (Jonson Street), the second jetty was built at Belongil Beach in 1929. Both jetties were destroyed by cyclones. Whales were brought onto the second jetty and sliced into pieces and cooked, the odour from this was so dreadful we could smell it all over the town.
SAND MINING
Zircon Rutile Ltd and Cudgen RZ from the Gold Coast, mined the sand hills for Zircon between Belongil Beach, Main Beach and Clark's Beach then onto Tallow Beach. Selective flotation was used to isolate Zircon. Zircon Rutile Ltd., started in the 1930's and in the 1960's they returned to re-work the sand with more refined extraction techniques closing in the 1980's. The Zircon Rutile processing plant was in the main street of Byron Bay, where The Plaza shops beside the old Woolworths are now located.
AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE
This page is mostly of animals I have discovered on my travels, and some close to home.
SUNSET
The sunsets in Winter in Byron Bay can be burnt orange at times.
STREET ART
Our town has amazing Street Art downtown and at the Industrial Estate, which is on the Western side of town.
BEACH and OCEAN
The beach always has something different on offer to photograph with each new tide and time of day. The sand markings change, each sunset gives a different colour to the ocean, the wind changes the water from calm to an ocean of texture. It always excites me to be able to photograph the special moments that a sunset brings, sometimes for just a few short minutes.
AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPE
I have travelled around and across Australia to see the breathtaking scenery, The center of Australia is red dirt, stunning, everywhere you look is another amazing scene. I enjoy looking at trees, so I have quite a few on my page.
THE WELLSWUNG DADDIES BIG BAND
The WellSwung Daddies are an 11 piece big band, based in the Byron Shire Area. They play a mixture of Swing, Jive, Rock & Roll, Lindy Hop and Jazz. I take photos of this band when they play locally. https://www.wellswungdaddies.com/
SOUL'D
A 10 piece big band that offers Soul and Motown music, Funk, Swing, and more. Based in Byron Bay with a male and female vocalist, piano, guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, tenor sax and baritone sax. I take photos of this band when they play locally. https://www.soul-band.com/
DANCING
This page has images of dances I attend in our area. Dancing makes me very happy. I dance Rock and Roll and Swing.
e-mail kerryb1947@westnet.com.au