Barrenjoey Lighthouse
Barrenjoey Lighthouse
4.5
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4.5
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Helena Funny
Sydney, Australia24 contributions
June 2019
Located at Barrenjoey Headland of Palm Beach in Sydney's Northern Beaches, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is a well-known heritage listed landmark in the region. Overlooking the South Pacific Ocean, Broken Bay, Pittwater and Palm beach, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is a wonderful destination for tourists and locals alike. A short climbing towards the hill top from Palm Beach, where you may park your cars, or get off the buses, you would be very much excited with the stunning views and pleased with your efforts. As a Sydneysider, I have been there many times acting as a "Tour Guide" for visiting family members and friends.
How to get there?
1st: Drive to Palm Beach. There are plenty parking spaces available.
2nd. Public Transport: BUS 199 or L90 To Palm Beach.
The Access to the hill top is on the Pittwater side of Barrenjoey Head.
I am uploading two photos as introduction.
How to get there?
1st: Drive to Palm Beach. There are plenty parking spaces available.
2nd. Public Transport: BUS 199 or L90 To Palm Beach.
The Access to the hill top is on the Pittwater side of Barrenjoey Head.
I am uploading two photos as introduction.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
klever7
Richmond, VA149 contributions
Mar 2020
It looks just like the pictures - except so much better with your own eyes! We went on a Tuesday and it wasn't too crowded. We ate lunch at The Boathouse then took the stair route up to the top to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. Temperature was low 80's and a nice breeze. While it is a bit strenuous after so many steps, it wasn't unbearable for us ages 1, 18, 31, 39, 47, 66 and 67. Watch for wildlife along the way. Saw Kookaburras, lizards, a friendly mouse and lots of beautiful wildflowers. I would imaging it would be a bit slippery if it had just rained.
We took the sloping path coming back down. It was moderately easy being down hill, but it's using different muscles, so we took it easy. Along the path down, listen for the spot where the ocean is to your left and there is a large rock to your right. You can hear the ocean reflecting from the rock and it sounds kind of like a jet engine or an AC unit :) Really cool to walk back and forth. That's nature for you!
We took the sloping path coming back down. It was moderately easy being down hill, but it's using different muscles, so we took it easy. Along the path down, listen for the spot where the ocean is to your left and there is a large rock to your right. You can hear the ocean reflecting from the rock and it sounds kind of like a jet engine or an AC unit :) Really cool to walk back and forth. That's nature for you!
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raquel O
Sydney, Australia134 contributions
Nov 2020
Really enjoyed the walk along the winding path. Estimated to take 15 minutes, took us 1 hour. We stopped to enjoy the seascapes and views. Highly recommend.
Steep, wear closed toe shoes, stop and enjoy the views and most importantly, on the way back, take a stroll along the beach.
Steep, wear closed toe shoes, stop and enjoy the views and most importantly, on the way back, take a stroll along the beach.
Written 12 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod B
Geneva, Switzerland134 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
The walk up to the lighthouse from the car park is steep but the effort is worth it. We walked up the road/path instead of the even steeper Smugglers Steps.
The views over Palm Beach and Pittwater is more than worth it.
The only downside was the fee to park - $10 per hour. And you need to allow at least 1-1.5 hours.
The views over Palm Beach and Pittwater is more than worth it.
The only downside was the fee to park - $10 per hour. And you need to allow at least 1-1.5 hours.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dames
137 contributions
Jan 2020
Set aside a full day to experience this amazing walk and the view at the end will be worth it. The walk can be challenging in parts. Take a picnic and a good quality camera because what you will see is Boken Bay at its best. A must if you visit Sydney.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cdwijayarathna
Sydney, Australia64 contributions
Jan 2022
We hiked to barrenjoey lighthouse this summer. It has great views of pacific ocean, pitt water and ku ring gai national park. Great hike for anyone and great photo spot
Written 22 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stinkwink
Sydney, Australia7,254 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
The current one was my third climb to the Lighthouse. The second one was cca ten years ago. What happened during this period? Did the tower manage to get higher? The walk, that was so easy before, now with a walking stick is a bit challenging.T o reassure future tourists, if I got there, everyone else will be successful. To reach your aim, the determination is more important than physical strength.
Since there are two different routes, it is essential to choose the right one for yourself. Ten years ago, of course, I went on the Smugglers Track, and probably I would use that way again if there would be a handrail to hold on. But because there isn't I went on the twice as long, but stairless Access Trail. Don't worry, if you aren't already in your prime time, nobody will stop you, tho have a rest here and there during the climb. The view and the interesting rock formations are making every minute of this walk worth the effort.
Since there are two different routes, it is essential to choose the right one for yourself. Ten years ago, of course, I went on the Smugglers Track, and probably I would use that way again if there would be a handrail to hold on. But because there isn't I went on the twice as long, but stairless Access Trail. Don't worry, if you aren't already in your prime time, nobody will stop you, tho have a rest here and there during the climb. The view and the interesting rock formations are making every minute of this walk worth the effort.
Written 18 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G V Vleet
13 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
There are no clear signs. The way to the top means you have to bash the bushes and make your own way as there are no clear marked paths. Views ok.
Written 21 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussienando
1,135 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
It is a beautiful drive to Palm Beach, worth detouring via Whale Beach and Bilgola Beach - both of which are beautiful and have different aspects. And although having grown up in Sydney this was my first visit to the Lighthouse.
Once at Palm Beach we drove to the far end of the carpark, the closest area you can get to the lighthouse. It is all paid parking (unless you want to walk about a km) - parking is $3.40 per hour - you can pay by credit card or cash. WARNING: We had read the previous reviews that reported seeing rangers (ie parking police who will fine you) and we also saw one at approx 2pm. In the parking lot there are toilets and tap water - there are none at the top where the Lighthouse is.
The walk starts off on the Pittwater side, about 100m on the beach before you head inland. We passed some walkers returning and asked them how the walk was and they suggested we take the longer ramp walk which is paved and over a metre wide (a 1km walk and takes about 15minutes-20minutes) to go up and the Smugglers Track (stairs) on the way back (about 15minutes too as the stairs can be a little slippery and narrow in parts). A great suggestion to do the walking track to the top and we'd recommend doing it this way too. View on the way up and down are spectacular. We had a little surprise on the walking path on the way up - seeing a snake (Yellow Faced Whip Snake - mildly venomous and remember they don't want to interact with you) which slithered off the path into the bush after some guys coming down from the lighthouse caught it sunbaking.
Once at the top we walked along the sandstone rocks for stunning photos and we also sighted the largest member of the blue tongue lizard family - a shingleback (they are beautiful lizards with "blue tongues" and totally harmless) also enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Smugglers Track got its name from the customs officers who built the track around 1850 to monitor any smugglers bringing contraband into Broken Bay, it now offers a steeper and shorter trek to the lighthouse.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse sits at Sydney’s most northern point – Barrenjoey Head at Palm Beach. Positioned 91m above sea level, the lighthouse view is beautiful - and can sometimes include whales and dolphins (we saw none) - the panoramic views are of Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Central Coast.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse is one of the Sydney Northern Beaches’ most iconic sights 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.
If you are Aussie or English you will recognise the lighthouse from Home and Away with Palm Beach and Pittwater "Summer Bay".
Give Palm Beach a miss for food as Avalon has lots of cafe and restaurants making the quality and value much better (we loved the fresh food at Swell Cafe).
Definitely worth enjoying the day in and around the Barrenjoey Lighthouse - swimming, relaxing, enjoying the scenery.
Once at Palm Beach we drove to the far end of the carpark, the closest area you can get to the lighthouse. It is all paid parking (unless you want to walk about a km) - parking is $3.40 per hour - you can pay by credit card or cash. WARNING: We had read the previous reviews that reported seeing rangers (ie parking police who will fine you) and we also saw one at approx 2pm. In the parking lot there are toilets and tap water - there are none at the top where the Lighthouse is.
The walk starts off on the Pittwater side, about 100m on the beach before you head inland. We passed some walkers returning and asked them how the walk was and they suggested we take the longer ramp walk which is paved and over a metre wide (a 1km walk and takes about 15minutes-20minutes) to go up and the Smugglers Track (stairs) on the way back (about 15minutes too as the stairs can be a little slippery and narrow in parts). A great suggestion to do the walking track to the top and we'd recommend doing it this way too. View on the way up and down are spectacular. We had a little surprise on the walking path on the way up - seeing a snake (Yellow Faced Whip Snake - mildly venomous and remember they don't want to interact with you) which slithered off the path into the bush after some guys coming down from the lighthouse caught it sunbaking.
Once at the top we walked along the sandstone rocks for stunning photos and we also sighted the largest member of the blue tongue lizard family - a shingleback (they are beautiful lizards with "blue tongues" and totally harmless) also enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Smugglers Track got its name from the customs officers who built the track around 1850 to monitor any smugglers bringing contraband into Broken Bay, it now offers a steeper and shorter trek to the lighthouse.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse sits at Sydney’s most northern point – Barrenjoey Head at Palm Beach. Positioned 91m above sea level, the lighthouse view is beautiful - and can sometimes include whales and dolphins (we saw none) - the panoramic views are of Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Central Coast.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse is one of the Sydney Northern Beaches’ most iconic sights 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.
If you are Aussie or English you will recognise the lighthouse from Home and Away with Palm Beach and Pittwater "Summer Bay".
Give Palm Beach a miss for food as Avalon has lots of cafe and restaurants making the quality and value much better (we loved the fresh food at Swell Cafe).
Definitely worth enjoying the day in and around the Barrenjoey Lighthouse - swimming, relaxing, enjoying the scenery.
Written 21 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick M
1 contribution
May 2024 • Business
I felt this lighthouse is lacking hummus. Quite tall , bad lighting during the day , also Sally fletcher wasn’t there to make out with, had to settle for flathead. Would not recommend. Also I have bought way too much hummus, it’s going cheap dm me . #bringbackbobby .
Written 5 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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