In February 1954 huge waves generated by a severe cyclone destroyed almost 200 meters of the jetty as well as the two large cranes and 22 local fishing boats that had been lifted from of the sea and secured on the widened part of the jetty.

The original Byron Bay Jetty (known as the "Old Jetty"), which was built in 1888 to facilitate the region's shipping and whaling industry, was largely destroyed by a massive storm in 1954. Following the storm and the decline of the local shipping trade, the remaining structure was eventually demolished for safety reasons, leaving only a few rusted pylons visible at low tide near the Main Beach. In 2026, these "remnant pylons" have become a nostalgic landmark and a popular spot for photographers. While there have been various community proposals over the decades to rebuild a modern pier or jetty for tourism, the Byron Bay community has largely resisted large-scale coastal developments to preserve the town's "low-key" aesthetic and protect the delicate marine environment. Consequently, in 2026, there is no long, walkable wooden jetty in Byron Bay; instead, the "front" of the town is defined by the natural dunes and the famous Cape Byron Lighthouse walk rather than a man-made maritime structure.