Grotto Point Light, Coastal lighthouse near Balgowlah Heights, Australia
Grotto Point Light is a coastal lighthouse near Balgowlah Heights featuring a cylindrical masonry tower approximately 26 feet (8 metres) high with white-painted walls crowned by a distinctive domed roof. The structure overlooks Sydney Harbour's entrance and sits within Sydney Harbour National Park.
This structure was erected in 1911 following a design by Maurice Festu to help guide ships through the harbour entrance. The original flame used carbide burners with acetylene gas before modern lighting replaced these earlier systems.
This lighthouse is part of a group of four similar structures in the region, all sharing the same cylindrical design with a domed roof. Together, they form a distinctive set of landmarks that shape how locals and visitors see the harbour entrance.
Visitors reach the lighthouse via the Castle Rock Trail, a walking path with moderate ascents through parkland. The site lies within a national park, so standard park protections and weather conditions should be considered when planning a visit.
The lighthouse produces different light signals: white for range navigation, red toward the right, and green toward the left. These colored signals were essential for sailors to determine the correct route through the complex harbour geometry.
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