Having grown up reading the Famous Five, the Secret Seven and a number of other adventure books, lighthouses have long been quite alluring to me. Boldly standing atop some of the most dangerous cliffs, providing a beacon of light out into the ocean to warn sailors, they are dramatic and somewhat foreboding. Exploring them is exciting, right? Especially when you realise that there are over a handful of Sydney Lighthouses to visit!
There are around 350 Lighthouses in Australia scattered along our coastline of 25,760 kilometres. Many are heritage listed. Most are now automated.
The New South Wales coastline boasts many sandstone cliffs and with it dangerous reefs, tidal flows and rocks. Consequently, a number of lighthouses have been built along the coastline to aid ships. Sydney itself has just over a handful of lighthouses still in operation.
With quite a strong maritime heritage, it must be no surprise to hear that many of Sydney’s lighthouses are almost as old as the city itself, some built by the hands of convicts. So which of Sydney’s Lighthouses can you easily visit?
The Best Lighthouses to Visit in Sydney
Table of Contents
Hornby Lighthouse
The Hornby Lighthouse was built shortly after the wrecking of the Dunbar at the foot of South Head in 1858. It was NSW’s third lighthouse and has been in continuous use since that time.
Hornby Lighthouse was painted a distinctive red and white, possibly to distinguish it from the Macquarie Lighthouse, which is not far away along South Head Road.
To visit Hornby Lighthouse, head to Watsons Bay where you will find the lighthouse in the South Head precinct of Sydney Harbour National Park. Follow South Head Heritage trail, which begins near Camp Cove Kiosk, to the lighthouse.
Toilet facilities are located along the South Head Heritage trail near Lady Bay Beach.
Warning – Lady Bay Beach is a nude bathing beach. We didn’t realise this until we were halfway down the stairs to visit the beach!
Here’s our full coverage of our trip to Hornby Lighthouse with kids.
Macquarie Lighthouse
The Macquarie Lighthouse was first completed in 1818 and was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway for Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of NSW. It was Australia’s first European lighthouse.
The lighthouse was built from locally quarried sandstone, requiring a rebuild in 1883 due to significant erosion. At this time, a number of quarters were also added for the head keeper, engineer and staff.
To visit Macquarie Lighthouse, head along Old South Head Road (opposite Macquarie Road), Vaucluse. You can’t miss it! Tours run each month. Macquarie Lighthouse Tour Details.
Bradleys Head Lighthouse
Bradleys Head Lighthouse was first introduced in 1905 as a navigation marker and warning light to ships entering and leaving the harbour. It is still active today.
This lighthouse is very easy to access by foot, however, you are unable to climb the tower. It is small, but its location offers some of the best views across Sydney Harbour.
Cape Baily Lighthouse
Still in use today, Cape Baily Lighthouse was first opened in 1950 and has become known for its unusual concrete tower and 19th-century Chance Brothers lantern which is now powered by solar panels.
This lighthouse was constructed to allow north-bound ships to avoid strong currents further out to sea by travelling closer to the coast.
The only way to visit Cape Baily Lighthouse is on foot via a 3km walk from the end of Cape Solander Drive. It offers some of the best whale-watching views in Sydney.
Make sure to visit Kurnell and Botany Bay with kids when you are in the area.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Built in 1881, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is an iconic Sydney attraction perhaps due to sitting in the background of almost every Home & Away episode. It has become the Palm Beach Lighthouse to visit!
The lighthouse sits at Sydney’s most northern point, 91 metres above sea level. It was built from sandstone quarried on-site, with the lighthouse, its oil room and keepers’ cottages remaining unpainted in the original stone finish.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse is accessible by foot, offering spectacular views both inland and out across the ocean where you may spot a whale or dolphin. The walk to the top requires moderate fitness and will take around 30 minutes each way from Governor Phillip parking area if you don’t stop (it has always taken us longer with kids – maybe an hour on the way up, 20 on the way down).
The lighthouse offers tours on Sundays, Check out the Barrenjoey Lighthouse tours for details.
Grotto Point Lighthouse
Designed by Maurice Festu in 1910, the Grotto Point Lighthouse is an active beacon, located on a rocky headland near Dobroyd Head which lights the way across the scenic northern waters of Sydney Harbour National Park, near Manly.
The Grotto Point Lighthouse is accessed along a short track, off Manly Scenic Walkway. It is sometimes called the Disney Castle. Grotto Point itself has the distinction of being the first point inside Port Jackson, later to be called Sydney Harbour, to be mapped.
Fort Denison Light
Fort Denison Light, also known as Pinchgut Light, is an active lighthouse located on top of a Martello Tower at Fort Denison. The lantern and light were built in Birmingham, England and were added on top of the Martello Tower in 1913, replacing an 8 inches (20 cm) gun.
Fort Denison is currently closed to visitors for renovations. Its light is still active.
Pin This
Other Outdoor Spaces to Visit in Sydney
Spending time outdoors with the kids can be the perfect weekend filler. Luckily, the great outdoors is easily explored in Sydney – here are some spaces to visit.
Visit one of Sydney’s zoos or wildlife parks. Head to one of the many places to feed ducks in Sydney. Explore Botany Bay with kids | Visit one of Sydney’s many gardens | Visit a Japanese Garden in Sydney | Best beaches in Sydney.