Sealy Lookout in Orara East State Forest to Byron Bay

Sealy Lookout in Orara East State Forest to Byron Bay

We drove from Dorrigo back through Bellingen and along the Pacific Highway for two hours through Coffs Harbour. The area is known for its bananas and berry production. After Coffs Harbour we turned off the highway to reach  the Sealy Lookout, also known as the Forest Sky Pier. It is a single pier with wire cables holding uo a jetty extending out from the top of the mountain over the forest below.

A view of the coast and some islands from the Sky Pier.

A side view of the Sky Pier. Our guide, Clark, told us about some of their culture, how far their lands extend and a few stories, often with cultural or geographic references. We had a tour through the forest to be introduced to food, medicine and useful plants. Plants used as herbs, plants used as an after bite remedy and wild ginger, where both the leaf and the root can be used. 

There was a story about eight grasses and there various uses. And about scar trees.

Clark and Joyce lit a fire in a bowl carved out of a tree.

We added myrtle and some leaves and wafted the smoke other ourselves in a form of cleansing of the mind and body, plus music and a song. 

Then it was back to the highway to move on to Byron Beach.

Several of the bridges over the highway have had aboriginal inspired murals painted on them.  

We crossed Clarence River.

And had a brief tour of the town of Byron Bay, a late lunch and finishing at the lighthouse where the most easterly point in Australia is located. 

The former light house keepers cottage, now a visitor centre...

...and a view of the light house where the ground floor has been transformed into a small museum.