The Barrenjoey Lighthouse is located near Palm Beach near Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park. Access and parking on busy weekends can be an issue as we found that the car park was almost full on the Sunday we visited. Parking is not free and you must pay at the meter and display the ticket in your car or face a fine.
Barrenjoey Lighthouse
One of Australia’s longest running TV shows, Home and Away uses this area as a setting. The Barrenjoey Lighthouse often features in the background scenery of the show and Palm Beach is where a lot of the action takes place. Many of the visitors are there to see where the show is produced.
To get to the lighthouse, leave the car park and walk down the beach. Not too far down, you will see a sign to the track. There are two options, a short but steep track, or a longer but not so steep track. We took the second option, which is a constant uphill grade, but well paved all the way. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views on the way up, so don’t rush.
Track to Barrenjoey LighthouseView From Barrenjoey LighthousePalm Beach From Barrenjoey Lighthouse
As well as the lighthouse and its buildings, you will find some fantastic views of Palm Beach and Broken Bay. Enjoy your time at the top before making your way back to the beach via either the steep steps of the flatter path.
With a population of under 100, the small village of Seal Rocks on the NSW mid-north coast is a wonderfully relaxed beach and surfing paradise. At a little under 2 hours’ drive from Newcastle, it’s a popular holiday spot and can become crowded, during summer and school holidays. Part of the charm has been the residents’ opposition to commercial development, leaving the area untouched.
Surrounded by the Myall Lakes National Park and beaches, it’s an excellent place for camping, bush walking and surfing. If you have a boat, the appropriately named Boat Beach has boat-ramps onto the sand.
Looking down on Boat BeachLooking along Boat BeachRocks and cliff at the end of the beachLighthouse Beach from Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse stands on a headland east of Seal Rocks village. Designed by colonial architect James Barnet as his first lighthouse, it was completed in 1875. It is one of only two towers in Australia with an external stairway. Although built to guide ships along the rocky coastline, there were still 20 wrecks after its completion.
The refurbished Lighthouse Keepers’ quarters and outbuildings are available as holiday accommodation for visitors. This would be a great way to experience the area.
The Walk
Starting at the locked gate, a bitumen road leads up through the coastal forest, making it an easy walk. An information board near the gate provides details about the lighthouse and the wider Myall Lakes Area. Although the walk is easy underfoot, it can still be a bit of a challenge, because it is all uphill.
If you need a break, about halfway there is a toilet block.
Sea Cave
Not long before reaching the lighthouse a break in the trees lets you see a rocky inlet. This is great because it also has a sea cave, with the waves crashing through it.
Sea CaveSmall Rocky Inlet
Path to the Lighthouse
On reaching the lighthouse area, the patch becomes much steeper, but this section is also short. So, take your time and enjoy the views over the coastline. The old lighthouse keeper’s cottage is now used for guests, which would be a great way to experience the area.
Walk Up to the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage
The Lighthouse
Set at the top of the headland, the lighthouse overlooks some rocky cliffs and a spectacular beach to the west. With the stairs on the outside instead of inside, it looks different to others we have seen. We spent quite some time here, looking at the scenery and lighthouse, before returning to our car.
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located at Norah Head on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia, Norah Head Lighthouse is still active after 120 years of operation. Built in 1903 it was the last lighthouse of the James Barnet style constructed. The lighthouse is 27 metres (89 ft) high and has a light characteristic of two white flashes every 15 seconds. This distinguishes it from other nearby lighthouses which will have a different number of flashed or separations.
Getting There
Parking is available onsite but is quite small and during busy periods fills quickly. Once the car park is full, visitors can park on the access road, or walk in from town which is a 10-minute walk.
Norah Head Lighthouse
Opening Times
The lighthouse is open to the public for guided tours every day (except Christmas Day and Anzac Day) between 10 am and 3 pm. Arriving early we were the only customers for the 10 am tour. This was great because we had the undivided attention of the guide. Our guide was great and being a volunteer, very passionate about the lighthouse. He kept up a running commentary for the whole tour, even while climbing the steps (there are 96 of them).
Ground Floor
On the ground floor we saw the weights that used to turn the light. Wound up and then released, they slowly moved down, with their movement turning the light. Not surprisingly, this was a laborious job and has been replaced by an electric motor.
Weight system to turn the lightSpiral staircase
Balcony
At the balcony level, we saw the unique markings used by the lighthouse. Each lighthouse had its own unique design, so that during the day, if the light couldn’t be seen, sailors could still determine their location.
Norah Head Identification ShapeRed navigation light
The Light
At the light deck, our guide explained how airflow to the original kerosene that fuelled the lamp was controlled. Incorrect airflow would result in black soot deposits on the glass lens, restricting it’s visibility. Brass air inlets could be opened or shut depending on wind speed and direction, ensuring the light burned correctly.
Air vent used to control light brightness
Climbing the 96 steps was not difficult as there were many breaks for explanations. One was about the stairs themselves which are made is slate with brass fittings, so that sparks are not generated. Although not significant now, it was a vital consideration when the lighthouse burned kerosene.
The view from the top was spectacular, with views up and down the coast. This also gave us a bird’s eye view of the lighthouse keepers’ cottages, which are now used as guest houses.
The lightView from the top of the lighthouse looking southLighthouse keepers’ cottages
Following the tour, we walked over the rock platform below the cliff that the lighthouse is built on. On returning, we saw a long queue waiting to do the tour, making us very pleased that we had come early.
Looking up at the lighthouse from the beach
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
