Hornby Lighthouse

Hornby Lighthouse is a navigation aid at South Head at the entrance to Sydney Harbour National Park, standing about 9 meters tall with red and white stripes on its cylindrical sandstone shaft. The structure emits a light signal visible from far out at sea to guide ships safely through the harbor entrance.

The lighthouse was built in 1858 after two major shipwrecks in previous years demonstrated the need for better navigation aids at this harbor entrance. This construction reflected growing recognition that the waters offshore posed serious risks to vessels without proper marking.

The lighthouse serves as a landmark that sailors have relied on for generations to navigate into the harbor safely. It remains a visible reminder of how communities depend on such structures to maintain their connection with the sea.

The site offers open access to the lighthouse and surrounding landscape with pathways leading to the structure. Wear sturdy footwear since paths can be steep or uneven, especially when wind gusts sweep through this exposed headland.

Two Georgian cottages built from local sandstone stand beside the lighthouse and preserve the original look of the place from the 1800s. These dwellings offer insight into the daily lives of those who worked and lived on this exposed headland.

Location: New South Wales

Inception: 1858

GPS coordinates: -33.83357,151.28100

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41