Can you go inside the Hornby Lighthouse, Sydney?

The red and white-striped Hornby Lighthouse on Sydney Harbour’s South Head is closed to the public – but the South Head Heritage Trail that leads to it is a walk with fantastic views.

What is the Hornby Lighthouse?

The Hornby Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Sydney, Australia. It was built in 1858, and is still an operational lighthouse.

This Sydney lighthouse is instantly recognisable from its red and white striped colour scheme.

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A private sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour with bubbly.
Dodge the tour buses on a private, personalised Blue Mountains day tour.
See the harbour, beaches and city skyline from a bird’s eye view on a helicopter tour.

There are also dozens more private Sydney tours, tailorable to your tastes.

Where is the Hornby Lighthouse?

The Hornby Lighthouse is on the South Head of Sydney Harbour, and is inside Sydney Harbour National Park.

How to get to the Hornby Lighthouse

The best way to reach the Hornby Lighthouse is along the South Head Heritage Trail, a fairly easy walk that starts at Camp Cove in Watsons Bay.

This 1km walk heads past Lady Bay Beach on the way to South Head, taking in the Hornby Lighthouse at the end. You can complete the loop in 30 minutes, but it’s one of those walks best done at a leisurely pace.

You can investigate the gun emplacements near the lighthouse, and keep your eyes open for migrating humpback whales during the winter months.

Otherwise, just enjoy the extraordinary views of Sydney Harbour, and the Pacific Ocean crashing into the western side of South Head.

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The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

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Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
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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.

Can I go inside the Hornby Lighthouse?

Unfortunately, as the Hornby Lighthouse is a working lighthouse, it is not possible for members of the public to go inside.

Don’t get too upset about that, however. It works better as a focal point for photos than as something exciting to climb.

Other attractions within an easy walk if taking the Watsons Bay ferry from Circular Quay include Milk Beach, Parsley Bay, the Hermitage Foreshore Track, Shark Beach, Strickland House and the Watsons Bay Baths.

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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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