Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Palm Beach is one of the most beautiful coastal lookouts in New South Wales. The walk to the lighthouse takes about 30–40 minutes and there are two paths: a steep track and a gentler slope. The climb is totally worth it because the view from the top is incredible—you can see both sides of the ocean and the famous Palm Beach peninsula stretching out below. The lighthouse itself has a classic sandstone design and gives a peaceful, historic atmosphere. Around the lookout, there are information boards about whales, and during migration season you might spot humpback or southern right whales. However, whale-watching can take a long time, so I highly recommend bringing some snacks, water and even a picnic mat to relax while waiting. What I love most about this place is the sense of space and nature. The sea breeze, the open horizon and the dramatic coastline make it feel like a perfect escape from the city. I have visited many lookouts in Sydney, but this is definitely one of the best. If you enjoy scenic walks, photography, picnics or whale watching, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is a must-visit. Just take your time, enjoy the view and don’t forget sunscreen!

The view is stunning! But getting to the top is quite exhausting — not ideal for people with heart issues or those who are overweight. Even in my 30s, I found it a bit tough. Still, the sea, nature, and atmosphere are amazing. It would be perfect if there were more places to eat or relax nearby.

What a gorgeous headland! I've lived in Sydney all my life & I'd never been here. It was a beautiful day, so I decided to bring my son here to check it out. We did the ACCESS walk on the way up. Very steep & windy but beautiful views. The lighthouse is amazing! Apparently, you can go inside it on a tour only on Sundays. It's a great spot to look out for whales this time of year, too. We took the SMUGGLERS stairs to get down, which are also steep. It's not a long walk, but it's a good one. 😍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An Unforgettable Experience at Barrenjoey Lighthouse Barrenjoey Lighthouse at Palm Beach is an absolute must-visit if you're exploring Sydney's Northern Beaches. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the natural beauty of the area. The walk up to the lighthouse is both scenic and rewarding — we chose the Smugglers Track, which is a bit steep but offers breathtaking views all the way up. Once at the top, the 360-degree views are simply spectacular. On one side, you have the calm waters of Pittwater, and on the other, the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. It’s the kind of view that makes you pause and appreciate the moment. We visited on a clear day and could see for miles in every direction. The lighthouse itself is beautifully preserved and adds a historic charm to the entire experience. We were lucky enough to catch a guided tour and learned a lot about its history and the keepers who once lived there. Wildlife was abundant — we spotted several native birds and even a whale breaching in the distance! It felt like a true escape from the city, despite being only about an hour’s drive from Sydney. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Barrenjoey Lighthouse offers the perfect mix of nature, history, and incredible photo opportunities. Bring water, wear good walking shoes, and don’t forget your camera. We’ll definitely be back!

It's a beautiful view from the top of the hill. However the lighthouse is closed for major restoration. You can find two paths to get to the top of the hill: One is a stairway path and the other one is a plain path. I did the stairs when I walked to the top and the other one to go back. The first one is very demanding and tricky so be prepared and careful when you decide to go. The sunsets are stunning!!

Today I traveled to Palm Beach by ferry from Ettalong Beach. It took less than half an hour to reach Palm Beach. Unfortunately, there was no sunlight, so the photos taken were not as clear as they could have been. Barrenjoey Lighthouse is a must-visit spot, as it offers a clear view of the area. However, it was worth the trip and I will definitely return to take photos again on a sunny day.

Located at 1199D Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach, New South Wales, Australia 🇦🇺 This is a fantastic place to go, especially on a clear day. It was built in 1881 and is heritage listed. It’s made from sandstone quarried onsite and is featured in the TV show ‘Home and Away’. I didn’t see Alf though, too bad. It’s an iconic Sydney attraction. It’s a lovely walk from with several options for walking trails from the beach. It’s no possible to drive directly to the lighthouse, there’s a required walk of about 1 kilometre and it might be a hard walk for some people. The walk requires moderate fitness. It takes about 30 minutes approximately from the parking area. Make sure to wear good walking 🚶 shoes. But, it’s well worth it, the panoramic views are amazing, absolutely stunning. Everywhere you turn, you have magnificent views. There is no park entrance fees but you might have to pay for street parking 🅿️ at Governor Phillip parking area. Between May and September, it’s a great place for whale 🐳 watching. The walking track itself is great, providing enough space to overtake other walkers and the trees provide plenty of shade from the sun if required. The views of the water along the way are beautiful. There’s toilet 🚻 facilities near the lighthouse at the top and they were clean. This is definitely worth a visit, absolutely stunning. Thumbs up!!! 👍👍👍

The lighthouse is located at the top of a hill. To get there, it is a walk from the car park through a beach before the start of the ascend via a grade 2 or 3 route. The water views along the way with beautiful greens in the background is truly a nice start to the hike. There are no restrictions to heading up and down from the lighthouse but it is still worth considering the path you may find easier. For me, grade 2 option was my choice up and down as it was easier although there are multiple slopes with quite a gradient. It was not difficult to catch a breath partway if the climb is a bit much or if you are not used to it. There is sufficient walking space too for people to overtake or to walk in the opposite direction. Saw folks of all ages - young and old in both directions. Some key tips: - The trees and plants provide a good shade cover when walking up and down regardless of the option grade 2 or 3 track. - During whale migration season, the top is a good viewing spot and there are clear indications of which side of the top you could see it - There are unisex toilet facilities near the lighthouse at the top. They were clean and well maintained when i visited. - There are tours at selected times to the lighthouse. - Good footwear and light clothing is important when hiking up to the lighthouse even when it is sunny and not a hot day. It is a beautiful spot to enjoy the afternoon. I spent bout 2 hours there and enjoyed savouring the views and fresh air. Loved too the variety of birds from kookaburras to lorikeets + many others. Also, a lot of natural sandstone that adds on to the natural beauty of sand, water and the bush. A place worth visiting if you haven't been before.

I'm not sure if you could actually call this place Sydney's northern point, but ever since I was a kid I've seen it as such. So, I decided that I would actually go and check it out. Sure, you have to meander your way between Home and Away film sets (Australians will know what I mean by that), and it is a bit of a hike, but the views once you get to the top are pretty outstanding. Oh, they also have a smugglers track, which as a climb is a bit more difficult, but a lot more fun.

Amazing views across the Pittwater and central coast are the main features of this walk. It's not a very long walk and you can choose the windy pathway or the steps to get up here. It's also a place you can whale watch from during migration season. The walk leading to here is slightly confusing due to construction at the moment. Once you get up there you forget it all and enjoy the amazing scenery. I have been here many times and love making this walk up the hill to the lighthouse. Well worth doing for locals and visitors.

Barrenjoey Head is the stunning headland at the North end of the Pittwater Peninsula known as Palm Beach (http://goo.gl/D6pFQ). It is part of the Ku-ring-gia National Park and is an absolute must if you're fit enough to do the walk. You start the walk at the northern end of the Pittwater side of Palm Beach. It's a 400 metre walk from the Pay and Display carpark ($4 first hour, $2.40 thereafter) past some rocks which are popular with rock climbers. The ascent is a bit of a scrabble up 600 metres to the Lighthouse and is a relatively hard climb. I've done this once in thongs (flip flops) and that is really not advised. I also did it with my 60 year old mother and her bad hip and somehow she managed it though was very unhappy at the top despite the incredible view! Depending on the time of year the flies on the headland can be seriously intense. Hats with corks essential. When you finally make it there, the sandstone lighthouse, first lit in 1881, is charming. There are tours every Sunday, weather permitting which go for 30 mins at a cost of $3 for adults and $2 for children. I've been to the Lighthouse many times though never done a tour. A long drink of water and staring at the view from this vantage point are enough for me. Views over to Ku-ring-gai over Pittwater and of Palm Beach itself are exceptional and conversely viewing Barrenjoey Head from the West Head lookout of Ku-ring-gai back over is breathtaking. A must for any visit to Sydney.

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse has sweeping views of the ocean and the Upper Northern Beaches. The experience is certainly spectacular and a must for guests and in particular, international visitors. While the climb up isn't too difficult you do need to be in a well enough condition to climb for a good half an hour. Wearing sand shoes is most ideal considering there are plenty of rocks and boulders embedded within the ground. Once you reach the top, there are plenty of other people snapping photos or having a rest on the bench. The lighthouse itself is full of history and has lots of charm. There are no bathrooms up there so make sure to go before you start your climb! There is plenty of parking but remember to secure a ticket to prevent a fine- parking inspectors swarm the area like you wouldn't believe. I would know because I was unlucky enough to get one a few years back.

Love going for a hike up to the lighthouse from Palm Beach. Last summer a lot of the bush was badly burnt by a fire (and the historic lighthouse was at risk), so it's still badly blackened, but will improve with time. There's two choices: a rougher track, plus basically a road - take one up and the other back. Perfect before or after a lunch of fish and chips on the beach, or a swim at Palm Beach.

Does it get much better than this? Methinks not. One sunny spring day in Sydney, some friends and I take an out-of-towner to Palm Beach for the light house walk - or Summer Bay, as she likes to call it. Located at Palm Beach, Syndey's stunning playground of the rich and famous, the lighthouse is pretty special. Park your car in the huge beach parking lot (being careful of parking inspectors), or get on the L90 all the way to the end, and look up at the imposing structure. The walk itself is about a kilmetre, but is straight up hill. It's also quite difficult terrain; it'd be easy to do an ankle on the rough and uneven ground. Not for those of us who are feeling frail or unfit. But push through the pain, and you reach the Barrenjoey Lighthouse and its spectacular views. You can see up to the Central Coast, out to PIttwater and down to Manly on a clear day. For a different view of our city, the Barrenjoey Lighthouse is hard to beat.