Barrenjoey Lighthouse — Attraction in Sydney

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...

You've got to be wondering what i was doing, posting photos of transparent doodoo - check out the last picture.

This beach is probably better known for killing swimmers so i decided not to take up the challenge. Instead my wife and i decided to walk up to the lighthouse! Good choice! I chose to take the 400m steep climb called Smugglers trail. She chose the 800m Grade 2 walk. Good choice! I was hoping the spanish tourists knew CPR and had a stretcher but i mightve been hallucinating and dreaming halfway up the climb. shrugs

We both made it, thank goodness. Im not writing to you from a hollowed out cavern on the side of the hill, living my life out as Tom Hanks in Castaway. We did make it to lunch - check out my Hukuya review!

The journey up was exciting - to my heart. Upon reaching the top, the cool fast wind gusts almost took my cap off, on more than one occasion.

The view is good and there is a tour, which we did not attend but i am guessing it would be real fun to be on it!

I'm not sure we'll come back again unless i complete and ace a few Ironman challenges. However if you've never been up there and want to be on top of the world, or in close contact with brown snakes and guanas, this is your chance to do so.

I would caution you on touching the jelly like, cute, kruller looking, transparent things. Believe they're jellyfish and don't like to be disturbed when they're having a bit of a tan. Don't think they'll sting, but who knows...

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...