The Cruel Sea

Coastal erosion is threatening Byron Bay, one of Australia’s most popular tourist areas.

Severe storms and tides have combined to push the shore at Byron Bay back by 20 yards in some places.

The local council has closed paths on some of the town’s beaches and has warned that the weather has created dangerous vertical sand dune escarpments of up to 16 feet along the shore.

Situated on the north coast of New South Wales, the Bay is a favourite stop-off for backpackers on the route from Sydney to Cairns.

It’s also home to some of the most expensive properties in the country, with some selling for the equivalent of £3.5 million ($5.7 million). It’s these waterfront homes that have been most at risk from the advancing waters.

Locals believe the council is not doing enough. They’ve warned that if the spit of sand at Belongil, which separates the ocean from the Belongil estuary, is breached, the ocean will flow into the low-lying town of Byron itself.

by Andy Moreton, with Bonnie Malkin in Sydney

Luxique has a wide selection of luxury hotels in the New South Wales region and throughout Australia.