Macquarie Lighthouse
Macquarie Lighthouse
4.5
About
Located along the scenic Federation Cliff Walk at Vaucluse in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Macquarie Lightstation is the site of Australia’s first lighthouse. Completed in 1818, Macquarie Lighthouse was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway for Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of NSW. Owing to crumbling foundations, it was reconstructed in the 1880s. The replacement tower was designed by the state’s Colonial Architect, James Barnet, to closely resemble Greenway’s original. Standing at 26 metres tall, Barnet's iteration of Macquarie Lighthouse continues to be source of fascination for visitors.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
43 reviews
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14
Very good
26
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3
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JElliot32
New South Wales, Australia3,963 contributions
Jan 2021
Macquarie Lighthouse was Australia's first lighthouse, designed by the convict architect Francis Greenway and build in 1818, when Lachlan Macquarie was the Governor of NSW. There are many, many things in New South Wales named after Lachlan Macquarie! It is a beautiful and very photogenic old building, whitewashed and symmetrical and surrounded by an expanse of lawns. You can't miss it if you do the walk from Bondi to Watson's Bay. Unfortunately, there is no public access to the building.
Written 22 January 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.
Michael-4551
Caloundra, Australia5,532 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Visited on Friday 26th May. Stopped off to check out this grand lighthouse looking out to sea with views back over Sydney Harbour. There is an info board giving the history of this historic site.
Written 23 June 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.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Nov 2019
Macquarie Lighthouse is a historic sight. Its story goes back to the late eighteenth century! And it's still going! We were there a short while ago and stopped for a few minutes. The views are fantastic and the spot is just great for a brief relaxing stop.
Written 16 December 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.
Paul H
Sydney, Australia42 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
The lighthouse itself is open only 2or 3 days a year and you can go up it then. If you can go up it is one of Sydney great views. But as I said only open a few days a year. See the lighthouse web site.
This is not the original lighthouse, that was replaced, but the base is still there in front of the standing lighthouse.
When you are there walk a 100m past the lighthouse to a great view from the top of the cliffs.
If you have time walk 500m to the right past the playing fields on your right. That is one of Sydneys great cliff view.
Don't look at the ocean views on a rainy day, you will not see anything.
If you are luck you can see the Wales when they go up and down the coast
This is not the original lighthouse, that was replaced, but the base is still there in front of the standing lighthouse.
When you are there walk a 100m past the lighthouse to a great view from the top of the cliffs.
If you have time walk 500m to the right past the playing fields on your right. That is one of Sydneys great cliff view.
Don't look at the ocean views on a rainy day, you will not see anything.
If you are luck you can see the Wales when they go up and down the coast
Written 5 March 2017
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.
revett2016
Santa Rosa, CA533 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
A stately old lighthouse that is regally set atop a panoramic oceanfront path. The lighthouse is only open with special tours but the outside pathway is nice (no shade) alongside the ocean. We’re able to see otters basking on the rocks.
Written 13 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.
Chris D
Liston, Australia42 contributions
Feb 2020
Its a lighthouse surrounded by a a big grassy park, its ok I walked past it yesterday. Maybe if you booked a tour and went inside, then it might be worth doing.
Written 23 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.
Angie Stern-Lynch 👫
Newcastle, Australia3,735 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
A top location.... we came here to do a photo shoot and perfect it was but as we had time we looked around , this light house is super cool and the history of this lighthouse is amazing,
Great history
Great location
Great for photos of any kind.
Great history
Great location
Great for photos of any kind.
Written 1 December 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.
Emmanuel N
Sydney, Australia4,063 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
I did not even know that this is the first lighthouse in Australia! How good is that!! Beautiful little thing to take a nice photo with.
It is, however, a bit out of place, and I went to it only because I went on the Federation Cliff Walk (something I highly recommend, though the walking paths can be tricky). Nonetheless, although it is a lovely lighthouse to visit, I would not make a deliberate trip because firstly, it is a distance (to walk) from Watsons Bay itself, and which means you need to take a bus. Secondly, the lighthouse is not opened, so you can only wander in the surroundings. (After the first 10sec initial awe... it is all over).
So, I would say: go if you happen to be there, but not make a deliberate trip just to see it.
It is, however, a bit out of place, and I went to it only because I went on the Federation Cliff Walk (something I highly recommend, though the walking paths can be tricky). Nonetheless, although it is a lovely lighthouse to visit, I would not make a deliberate trip because firstly, it is a distance (to walk) from Watsons Bay itself, and which means you need to take a bus. Secondly, the lighthouse is not opened, so you can only wander in the surroundings. (After the first 10sec initial awe... it is all over).
So, I would say: go if you happen to be there, but not make a deliberate trip just to see it.
Written 30 April 2018
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.
finesilver
Denver, CO2,191 contributions
Nov 2017 • Business
This lighthouse is 140 years old now. It is closed except a few days per year. You can take a bus from just above Watson's Bay's main park just there in about 10 minutes. it is a majestic old Lighthouse which has a prominent hillside location. It is painted nearly all white.
Great views from in front of the Lighthouse facing it and also shooting back toward the city from behind it. Worth a few photos for sure.
Great views from in front of the Lighthouse facing it and also shooting back toward the city from behind it. Worth a few photos for sure.
Written 1 January 2018
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.
Sonia D
Mumbai, India200 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
On my coastal walk from watson bay to bondi beach... crossed this beautiful landmark called Macquarie Lighthouse. If you are walking from Watson Bay you reach a point where you see green space going up the hill and stunning view of pacific on your left... when you start walking towards the uphill at some point you spot the white top of the lighthouse ... the combination of colors blue, green and white is just spectacular. See the pic you will understand what i'm talking about. Better just visit the place
A lil about the structure, it's the longest running lighthouse in sydney & was named after the Governer of NSW Laclan Macquarie. The 1st structure was built in 1818 as far as I remember but that couldn't last that long & then they built this new structure few metres away in 1883.. Its standing right here overlooking the entrance of sydney harbour since then.
It's a perfect picnic spot ...you can lie on the grass & have fun... just be careful there is also a dog walking path though the owners keep it really clean but you never know..
A lil about the structure, it's the longest running lighthouse in sydney & was named after the Governer of NSW Laclan Macquarie. The 1st structure was built in 1818 as far as I remember but that couldn't last that long & then they built this new structure few metres away in 1883.. Its standing right here overlooking the entrance of sydney harbour since then.
It's a perfect picnic spot ...you can lie on the grass & have fun... just be careful there is also a dog walking path though the owners keep it really clean but you never know..
Written 27 April 2017
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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