11/10/2024
Barrenjoey Lighthouse - Palm Beach, the Northern most tip of Sydney.
We really enjoyed our day trip to the lighthouse, even though it is expensive. The views from the headland top over Pittwater, Palm Beach, and looking North to the Central Coast are spectacular. We even saw a whale breaching & splashing about, but it looks small unless you bring binoculars.
The walk:
From the car park to the lighthouse takes about 30 minutes with 2 different tracks to choose from:
- Barrenjoey Track is wider (more of a road) that accommodates service vehicles, easier paved flat rocks, but longer than the Smugglers Track. It took me about 20 minutes to walk to the top from the start and I stoped a few times to take photos. We went up Barrenjoey Track then returned via Smugglers Track.
- Smugglers Track is slightly more scenic (ocean views) with some extra photo opportunities but it is steeper and narrower with steps. Some sections you will have to wait for other people to pass by, depending on how busy it is. Both tracks start from the same place or you can climb up the rocks from the massive sand dune that touches the headland.
Costs/Transport/Tour:
Northern Beaches Council car parking is very expensive @$10 per hour. I spent $22 just to park the car while we walked up and back down (~2 1/4 hours), ouch that is probably more expensive than parking in Sydney city. You may find a few spots along Beach Road but street parking is generally not good in the area. Also the distance is about 900+ metres between Beach Road to the car park where you start the walk (on the beach) to the lighthouse.
Another transport option is to catch the bus from Wynyard or Manly, B1 / 199 routes.
Optional lighthouse tour takes about 20 - 30 minutes:
$10 Adult | $8 Concession | $5 Children
Tickets can be booked online (link below) or on the day at location (depending on quantity capacity). I'm still confused about the workings of the tours, online they are run on the hour but at the headland they do tours between, every 1/2 hour. Then the sign said next tour starts at 11:45am for example. We went on the hour and really just got let into the lighthouse. No guide to tell us anything about the lighthouse on this occasion, was disappointing.
The extra height makes for even better views from the lighthouse balcony although it was windy. I liked seeing inside the lighthouse and it really does add to the overall experience.
You can also check out the 'keepers’ cottages' which acts as a small museum after the tour. It has large printed photographs and snippets of historical facts about the lighthouse, Aboriginal inhabitants, and the area.
Take:
- Hat, sunscreen
- 1+ Litre water
- Small picnic, sandwiches
- Closed shoes (better option over thongs)
- Camera/phone
- Binoculars
- Backpack
Suggest:
Going early in the day. We arrived at the car park around 11:00am and it was already starting to get busy. By the time we left around 1:00pm it was hectic.
Look out for 'Alf Stewart' and the 'Home and Away' cast/crew if visiting during weekdays.
We had a nice time and definitely worth a visit. Pack your swimmers to have a dip & cool down after the walk.