Palm Beach Lighthouse Walk Guide (By A Local!) 2025
WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE BEST SHORT WALK IN SYDNEY?
Then this iconic coastal trail is worth your Sydney bucket list! Just 50 minutes from Sydney CBD, the Palm Beach Lighthouse walk offers 360-degree views over the Pacific Ocean, the Northern Beaches coastline, Pittwater, and even the Central Coast stretching into the distance.
And while the views are absolutely breathtaking, you can also join a guided tour at one of Sydney’s oldest lighthouses, 91 meters above sea level at Sydney’s northernmost point. From May to October, keep an eye out to spot migrating whales from here, too!
Having completed this breathtaking Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk multiple times in different seasons, I can confidently say it’s one of Sydney’s most rewarding short hikes that you must do!
OVERVIEW OF THE BARRENJOEY LIGHTHOUSE WALK
Distance: 2km return
Time: ~1.5 hours
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly (but steep!)
Track Conditions: Well-marked trail
Public Transport: Yes, see below
Mobile reception: Yes
Toilets and Water: Yes, at the parking and near the lighthouse
Accessibility: Not wheelchair-accessible
Getting to Barrenjoey Headland
Palm Beach sits at the very northern tip of Sydney’s stunning Northern Beaches peninsula, about 42 kilometers from the CBD. You can drive or get the bus, with stunning coastal views accompanying you along the way!
By Car: The drive takes approximately 1 hour from central Sydney, following the M1 and through to the Barrenjoey Road and the beautiful coastal route through the Northern Beaches suburbs.
By Public Transport: Catch the B1 bus from Wynyard Station, which takes you all the way to Dee Why B-Line, Pittwater Rd, and catch the 199 bus to Palm Beach. While it’s a longer journey (about 2 hours), you’ll avoid parking hassles (and costs) during busy periods.
Where do you park for the Palm Beach Lighthouse Walk?
If you’ve come by car, try to park at the North Palm Beach parking lot or find a spot along the Governor Phillip Park, just ahead of The Boathouse Cafe. Parking is charged by the hour ($10 -$8 per hour depending on the timing).
Alternatively, if you are coming by bus, get off at the Palm Beach Golf Club stop and walk along the Barrenjoey Beach or through Governor Philip Park to Station Beach.
But if you are after a free parking spot as we were, look for on-street parking along Waratah Road and Barrenjoey Road, which are out of the fee zone and less than a 10-minute walk away!
The Palm Beach Lighthouse Walk
Starting the Trail
The Palm Beach Lighthouse Walk actually begins at the Station Beach rather than Palm Beach. From your parking area, follow the well-marked trail to Barrenjoey Headland. The trail starts off relatively flat along the beach, meandering through coastal scrub with occasional glimpses of the Barrenjoey lighthouse above.
TIP: CARRY WATER!
Before you start the walk, check if you have enough water with you. While it was only a 25-30 minute walk, the next water refill station was up at the lighthouse after the car park, and the climb gets pretty tiring!
Smugglers Track or the Access Trail?
As you exit the beach, the trail splits into 2 options:
The Access Trail: This is the gentler Grade 2 trail, following a wide winding path that zigzags up the headland. It’s longer (about 1.2 km) with gentle elevation, making it ideal for families or anyone who prefers a more gradual ascent with frequent rest spots and incredible views!
Smugglers Track: This steep, Grade 3 trail was allegedly built by customs officers to monitor smugglers bringing contraband into Broken Bay in the 19th century. It’s considerably shorter (about 400 meters) but much steeper, with rough sandstone steps cut directly into the hillside.
Our Recommendation: If your knees are in good shape and you enjoy a challenge, take Smugglers Track up and the Access Trail down. However, we felt a bit lazy and went vice versa – there really is no right or wrong way, but we prefer this trail as a circuit so you can enjoy some views on the way up and can get back down faster when it starts getting dark.
The Barrenjoey Lighthouse
About 20-30 minutes later, you will the top of Barrenjoey headland, Sydney’s northernmost point, 91 meters above sea level. Here you will find Barrenjoey lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in Australia, originally built in 1881 from sandstone which was quarried on site!
Guided Tours: We highly recommend joining one of the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Guided Tours that typically run every Sunday in intervals from 11 am – 3 pm. The knowledgeable volunteers share fascinating stories about the lighthouse keepers and maritime history. I highly recommend timing your visit to catch one of these tours – climbing the spiral staircase inside is an experience not to be missed!
Make your booking here – Costs $10 for Adults and $5 for Kids.
TIP:
Toilets and drinking water are available here near Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
Besides the uninterrupted coastal views (Central Coast extending on the left till Palm Beach on the far right), this is also one of the best whale-watching spots in Sydney. Between May and October, we highly recommend bringing your binoculars to spot humpback and southern right whales migrating across the coast.
The grave of George Mulhall, the first keeper of Barrenjoey Lighthouse, sits on the headland where he tragically died after being struck by lightning in 1885, just four years into his service. All the more reason to check the weather before coming here! You will find his grave along the short 50m trail extension down the stairs beside the lighthouse
Overlooking The Palm Beach Isthamus
On the other side, you will see the most photographed viewpoint of the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk, with breathtaking views of the isthmus with Palm Beach to the left and Broken Bay to the right.
And if you love sunsets, you are in for a treat because this is one of the best places to experience a sunset in Sydney. Walk onto one of the various rock platforms on the Barrenjoey track and settle in to see the sky come alive with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple, reflecting off the calm waters at Station Beach below.
Descending the Trail
We recommend taking the alternate route on your way down rather than the one you chose to go up! If it’s getting too dark, we recommend going down via the shorter Smugglers Track and keeping your phone torch handy.
Is the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk worth it?
Absolutely, and 100% YES! Especially if you are a Sydney local, the Palm Beach Lighthouse walk is well worth packing a day bag:
Whale Watching (May-November): The elevated position of the lighthouse makes it an excellent whale-watching spot during migration season. As mentioned earlier, don’t forget to bring binoculars if you have them (or you can even rent them)!
Home and Away Filming Location: Fans of the Australian soap opera will recognize Palm Beach as the fictional “Summer Bay.”
Swimming and Surfing: The Palm Beach offers excellent surf breaks for experienced surfers, while the sheltered Pittwater side provides calm waters perfect for families.
The Boathouse Palm Beach: This iconic waterfront café is the perfect reward after your hike. Their lobster roll revived me after my first lighthouse climb, and I’ve been a loyal customer since!
One of a kind panoramic over the Hawkesbury River, Pittwater, Broken Bay, the Pacific Ocean and even up to the Central Coast all with just a 1km walk!
Palm Beach Lighthouse Walk: FAQs
Now that you know why you need to plan your trip for the Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk, let’s help you with a few questions you may have:
1. How long does it take to walk up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse?
It will take longer than what is mentioned on the sign if you stop for photos! Allow about 1.5-2 hours for the entire experience, including time at the summit to explore and enjoy the views. We spent 2.5 hours total so we had time to enjoy the sunset as well.
2. How to get to Palm Beach?
If you want to go for a swim, skip sea-weedy Station Beach and dive into beautiful Palm Beach instead – a spectacular 2km stretch of golden sand that offers pristine ocean swimming. You will find the Palm Beach rock pool at one end and the iconic “Home and Away” filming location at the other!
When leaving the lighthouse, take the first sandy exit from Station Beach for direct access to Palm Beach, where you’ll find public toilets and showers near the surf club too!
3. Is Barrenjoey Lighthouse still used?
While no longer manually operated, the lighthouse is still a functioning navigational aid, automatically illuminating each night to guide vessels along Sydney’s northern coastline.
4. Is Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk Dog-Friendly?
No, dogs (other than certified assistance ones) are not permitted on the lighthouse walk as it falls within Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park boundaries.
5. Where do I Start the Barrenjoey Headland Walk?
The start is from the Station Beach, at the northern end of the Governor Phillip Park. You will see clear signs of the trail on the beach!
6. Can you drive up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse?
No, you can’t drive directly to the top of Barrenjoey Lighthouse. You’ll need to cover about 1km on one of the scenic walking tracks, but the stunning views along the way make it absolutely worth it.
7. The ‘Instagram’ ledge at Palm Beach
We spent more time than we care to admit trying to find this spot. We think the bushes have overgrown since and it might be as straightforward to find this Instagram ledge, but you can have a go!
Based on our research, people have claimed to find it about 5 minutes from the lighthouse, along the walking trail where you pass the grave of the first lighthouse keeper, George Mulhall. If you have any luck finding it, please DM us haha!
The Wrap-Up: Palm Beach Lighthouse Walk
Whether you’re visiting in the summer heat, enjoying the crisp autumn sun, or witnessing the awe-inspiring winter whale migration, the Palm Beach Lighthouse Walk offers a worthwhile experience year-round. Having completed this walk many times, I can confidently say there’s no bad season to enjoy this coastal trail.
While the climb may be a bit challenging, it’s accessible for most fitness levels, and the breathtaking panoramic views from the top make every step worth it. So, pack a picnic, put on your walking shoes, and let this iconic spot become a highlight of your next day trip in Sydney.
In case you have any questions, message us on Instagram!
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