Dobroyd Head, Sydney: Lighthouse, rock art & lookouts

Dobroyd Head on the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk offers great Sydney Harbour views from the Grotto Point Lighthouse and Arabanoo Lookout, plus Aboriginal rock engravings.

What is Dobroyd Head, Sydney?

Dobroyd Head, Sydney, is a multi-pronged headland jutting into Sydney Harbour. It is at the end of the peninsula dividing North Harbour and Middle Harbour, and is in the suburb of Balgowlah Heights.

Much of Dobroyd Head is incorporated within Sydney Harbour National Park. It forms a key chunk of the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk after passing Clontarf Beach and Castle Rock Beach.

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Skip the queues – and get the best prices – with mobile-friendly advance tickets for these top Sydney attractions.

Taronga Zoo – the zoo with harbour views (and plenty of cute Aussie animals)
Sydney Opera House – official walking tour. See behind the scenes!
Wild Life Sydney – Aussie animal favourites in convenient Darling Harbour location. Perfect if on limited time.
Sydney Cricket Ground – behind the scenes secrets tour.
Sydney Tower Eye – 360 degree views from 250 metres above the city.

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Dobroyd Head attractions: Grotto Point Lighthouse

Dobroyd Head attractions include the Grotto Point Lighthouse. This working lighthouse has a prime perch on the edge of the harbour, and you can enjoy some fantastic views next to it. Alas, visitors aren’t allowed inside.

Access to the Grotto Point Lighthouse is via a short track branching off the Manly Scenic Walkway.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

(💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
(🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.

Aboriginal rock art at Dobroyd Head

Dobroyd Head is also one of the best places in Sydney to see Aboriginal rock art. The Grotto Point engravings have been etched into the stone slabs on the headland, and many of the images are clearly visible.

The Grotto Point engravings are one of the highlights of the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk.

Arabanoo Lookout at Dobroyd Head

There are also several good lookouts on the eastern chunk of Dobroyd Head. The Fairlight Lookout and Dobroyd Lower Lookout are on the Dobroyd Head Track, but for more elevation, take a slight detour up to the Arabanoo Lookout.

This lookout was named in honour of Arabanoo, the first Aboriginal man to live with European settlers. Signs around the lookout explain the area’s history and Indigenous significance.

From the Arabanoo Lookout, you get great views of both South Head and North Head, plus the ocean. Get lucky on a winter day and you might even see migrating humpback whales.