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Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

Overview

Barrenjoey Lighthouse stands at Barrenjoey Head at Palm Beach on Sydney's northern beaches. Built in 1881, this heritage lighthouse is an iconic Sydney attraction.

Type
Historic buildings/places
Where
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney and surrounds
Entry fees

Park entry fees don’t apply at this location but you may need to pay for street parking.

What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, clothes for all weather conditions
Please note
  • Join us on a guided tour of Barrenjoey lighthouse (every Sunday).
  • The inside of the lighthouse is only accessible by guided tour but you can walk around the outside.
  • Drinking water and toilets are available near Barrenjoey lighthouse.
  • There is no vehicle access to Barrenjoey lighthouse. Paid parking is available at Governor Phillip Park.
  • Please avoid visiting the lighthouse when the weather conditions forecast strong winds, heavy rain or extreme heat.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse sits at Sydney’s most northern point – Barrenjoey Head at Palm Beach. Positioned 91m above sea level, the lighthouse can be reached by a couple of walks and offers outstanding views. It's an easy day trip from Sydney and a great place to bring overseas visitors – they may recognise the lighthouse from Home and Away and will find Summer Bay Surf Club nearby. 

The lighthouse is one of the most iconic sights on Sydney's northern beaches and boasts a notable cultural heritage. Built in 1881 from sandstone quarried on site, the lighthouse, its oil room and keepers’ cottages remain unpainted in the original stone finish.

To get there, take an easy and picturesque walk along Barrenjoey track for 1km. The walk to the top requires moderate fitness and will take about 30 minutes each way from Governor Phillip parking area. You could choose to walk Smugglers track instead for a more challenging hike to the top. The name comes from customs officers who built the track to monitor smugglers bringing contraband into Broken Bay around 1850. Smugglers track offers a steeper and shorter trek up to the lighthouse, but it's well worth the effort.

Be sure to bring your binoculars for whale watching between the months of May and September. Or settle for capturing the panoramic views of Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Central Coast with your camera.

Take a virtual tour of Barrenjoey Lighthouse captured with Google Street View Trekker.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Tours and events at this location

  • Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour

    Enjoy a Barrenjoey Lighthouse tour any Sunday afternoon. It stands at Sydney's northern-most point. The views of Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the mighty Pacific are unforgettable.

 

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A family walk a boardwalk section of Bouddi coastal walk, Bouddi National Park. Photo: John Spencer/OEH.

 

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Group of friends stand-up paddle boarding on the water at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Photo: Tim Clark/DPIE

General enquiries

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Park info

  • in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region

  • Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

    • Gates to West Head are closed from 8.30pm to 6am during daylight savings periods, and from 6pm to 6am the rest of the year.
    • Gates to Sphinx Memorial carpark are closed overnight from 7pm.

  • Park entry fees:

    $12 per vehicle per day. You can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.

    Vehicles over 8 seats: $4.40 per adult, $2.20 per child (per day).

    Other fees:

    A $3 per adult, $2 per child landing fee may apply for day visitors to The Basin campground. Please pay at the campground wharf. Landing fees are included in your camping fees.

    Group bookings:

    Under the Plan of Management for this park, prior written approval is required for organised groups of 40 or more people planning to visit this park. Contact the park office before your visit.

    Buy annual pass
See more visitor info

What's nearby:

Things to do (180)

Events (2)

Tours (40)

Immersive stories (3)

Camping and accommodation (10)

Volunteering (14)

School excursions (3)

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