Hornby Lighthouse
Hornby Lighthouse things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Hornby Lighthouse, also known as South Head Lower Light or South Head Signal Station, is a heritage-listed active lighthouse located on the tip of South Head, New South Wales, Australia, a headland to the north of the suburb Watsons Bay.
attractions: Camp Cove Beach, South Head, South Head, Lady Bay Beach, Watsons Bay Beach, Lady Bay Beach, Green Point Reserve, Camp Cove, North Head, Sydney Heads, restaurants: Camp Cove Kiosk Watsons Bay
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Hornby Lighthouse, also known as South Head Lower Light or South Head Signal Station, is a heritage-listed active lighthouse located on the tip of South Head, New South Wales, Australia, a headland to the north of the suburb Watsons Bay.
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Ideal to spend an entire evening around the area! Start your journey from Circular Quay, and get on a ferry to Watsons Bay. This is about a 20 minute ride, with views of the harbour bridge, opera house and the city skyline. Once you get to Watsons Bay, take the Heritage trail that leads to the Hornby lighthouse at the end. I would suggest taking a bottle of water, as it's a 20 minute walk one way. On the trail you get to see the city skyline at a distance, as you walk along the water. There is a small beach as well, if you want to get a bit wet. You could spend your time around the light house and watch the sun go down and the stars come out, but keep in mind that the trail is not lit (I didn't see any sorts of light fixtures). Make your way back to the warf, and grab a drink and something to eat at the fish and chippery/beach club. And then get on the ferry and head back to Circular Quay and see the city by night.
Hemal WickramasingheHemal Wickramasinghe
10
A decent drive from, (in our case), the Camden area... but if you make a day of it then it's well worth it. There is a beach of sorts that you have to cross to get to the lighthouse, which is kept clean and tidy. There is also a café just before the set of stairs that lead off the beach and toward the lighthouse. It is quite a walk, and large sections of the walk have no fencing with a decently big drop to the water below. The walk also includes uneven ground in some places and a fair amount of stairs, some of which have no railing. Once you get to the lighthouse it is quite peaceful, and the area is very scenic. It's a great spot for pictures, and you have a pretty cool view of the water and the other side of the city. You can even spot the Sydney tower in the distance. You will want to get to this place early, as there is very limited parking in a dedicated car park, and then whatever street parking available on the road. I'd recommend it, even just to get a pic of the lighthouse.
Jonathan RositanoJonathan Rositano
40
Google maps doesn’t take you to the best parking - you have to park at 31 Cliff Rd. and then walk about 10 or 15 minutes bracket depending on speed bracket to the lighthouse. Plenty to see along the way such as the canon, a couple of little beaches, a waterfall ( if you’re there after a big wet weather even) and lots of bush regeneration work. The trail is enveloped in native plants all along the trail. Beautiful look out over the city, Tasman sea and across to North head. There are a couple of bunkers that you can walk into as well which would be great for the kids to explore. There are steps so it is not pram or wheelchair friendly. If you are looking for pram /wheelchair friendly activity I would recommend going to South signal station which is a five minute drive up the road.
Kat WhitbourneKat Whitbourne
100
Hornby Lighthouse stands tall at South Head, near Watsons Bay in Sydney Harbour National Park. The iconic red and white striped tower is surrounded by magnificent views: Sydney Harbour to the west, Middle Head and North Head to the north, and the expansive Pacific Ocean to the east. It’s a great spot for whale watching in winter. The lighthouse was built in 1858 following the wrecking of the Dunbar at the foot of South Head. Designed by colonial architect Alexander Dawson, Hornby Lighthouse was the third lighthouse to be built in NSW. Hornby Lighthouse is accessible via the South Head heritage trail – an easy walk that leaves from Camp Cove at Watsons Bay, taking you past historic gun emplacements before reaching Hornby Lighthouse. Hornby light house is closed for repairs
John karmasJohn karmas
00
One of the most beautiful views in Sydney every where you look the walk to the light house is amazing it’s a short walk. We arrived at 8am and no body was around so parking was super close to the beach (small narrow car park) which was really nice but around 1130am it started to get packed on the beach and car park.(go early) Water is very calm great for families with little ones. I believe there was scuba diving lessons maybe something to do on the bucket list. There is a cafe at the beach but be prepared to pay $$$$ for food and drink 🙄 we did a 7min walk to the wharf for fish and chips there are a couple of restaurants along there but also packed during lunch time. Lifeguard and first aid is an added bonus for the beach area check it out.
Rowena BurgessRowena Burgess
10
Hornby Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located on South Head, in Sydney Harbour National Park. It was built in 1858 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sydney. The lighthouse is a red and white striped tower that stands 9.1 meters tall. It is surrounded by stunning views of Sydney Harbour, the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding headlands. Visitors to the lighthouse can climb to the top for panoramic views of the area. The lighthouse is also home to a small museum that tells the story of its history. Hornby Lighthouse is a great place to learn about Sydney's maritime history and enjoy stunning views of the city. It is a popular destination for families, couples, and groups of friends.
Jay TatlockJay Tatlock
10
Nearby Attractions Of Hornby Lighthouse
Camp Cove Beach
South Head
South Head
Lady Bay Beach
Watsons Bay Beach
Lady Bay Beach
Green Point Reserve
Camp Cove
North Head
Sydney Heads
Camp Cove Beach
4.7
(130)Click for details
South Head
4.8
(112)Click for details
South Head
4.8
(98)Click for details
Lady Bay Beach
4.3
(96)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Hornby Lighthouse
Camp Cove Kiosk Watsons Bay
Camp Cove Kiosk Watsons Bay
4.3
(197)$
Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(1.2K reviews)
Phone
+61 2 9337 5511
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Website
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Visit
Deep Dive
A deep dive into Hornby Lighthouse
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