Tyagarah Tea Tree Lakes

The freshwater lakes are part of the Tyagarah Nature Reserve, which stretches along the coast from Sunrise to Brunswick Heads. A beautiful swimming spot all-year round, the lakes and surrounding scrub teem with wildlife. The foraging birds, wallabies and reptiles have been joined in recent years by another species: homo erectus maximus.

Cruising around here is hit and miss, and has been known to involve mixed-gender activity.

Best times are sunny weekend afternoons.

From Byron Bay town centre head north out of town along the Ewingsdale Road. At the junction of the Pacific Highway, take the Tweed Heads route north for 5km until you reach the Grays Lane junction to the right. You will need to be in the right land of the dual carriageway as you approach.

Follow this track, much of which is unsealed for about 2km, where you will find a small sign on the left at the start of a short walking track to the one of the lakes. The other lake across the road is now private and closed to the public. 

Belongil beach is a further 1km drive straight ahead that leads directly to the car park.