[2025 Watsons Bay Attraction] Travel Guide for Hornby Lighthouse (Updated Jun)

Watson Bay is the oldest fishing village in Australia. From the wharf, you can walk to the nudist Lady Bay Beach or to the Hornby Lighthouse. Another path leads to the coastal cliff The Gap and the Macquarie Lighthouse. The entire journey is very pleasant with beautiful scenery, a must-visit for sea lovers. 🚗 Transportation: Take the ferry from Circular Quay next to the Sydney Opera House.

The Hornby Lighthouse is located in Sydney. It is easy to walk up to the lighthouse, which looks like it has just been freshly painted. The red and white stripes contrast beautifully with the azure sky and ocean. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with stunning views of Sydney Harbour. You can climb the lighthouse stairs, but entry inside is not permitted. It is well worth the trip to see the lighthouse and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery along the way!

Me and my friend, we decided to test our luck whether we can spot the whale from the light house, and the report come out we didn't find any. Quite sad about it, but still the walk to the lighthouse was very enjoyable. The road is easy to walk, there also many signs on the way telling us which way to go and even if you don't look at the signs, your Google map is good too. I find the house on the road to be quite charming and I want one too. #sydneytrip #lighthouse

Board a ferry to Watsons Bay from Circular Quay and follow the directions to Hornby Lighthouse. It’s a short round trail, with a few steps and incline but nothing too challenging. The lighthouse is located on a cliff so you’ll be able to take in majestic cliff side views and catch the Sydney CBD skyline. After your visit to the lighthouse, head back to the Watsons Bay ferry terminal where there are several quaint seafood restaurants and cafes dotting the coastline. Tuck in to a seafood feast and perhaps pair that with a glass of bubbly or a refreshing beer! From Watsons Bay, you can catch a bus to Bondi Junction or head onto the ferry for a trip back to the CBD. Be sure to sit outside on the left side of the ferry if you want to see the Sydney Opera House from the water.

The morning ferry sliced through Sydney Harbour’s shimmering steel-blue waters as I watched the Opera House shrink behind me. Autumn in Watson’s Bay greeted me with a crisp salt-kissed breeze and golden light spilling over sandstone cliffs—a quiet contrast to summer’s buzz. Robertson Park, Crimson-edged fig leaves crunched underfoot as I passed empty benches facing the harbour. At **Doyle’s Takeaway**, I devoured hot barramundi and chips on the grass, grinning at brazen seagulls dancing for crumbs. The real magic unfolded along the **Hermitage Foreshore Walk**. Following the coastal trail towards Rose Bay, Sydney’s skyline emerged like a mirage between angophoras shedding copper bark. Tide pools mirrored the sky, doubling the autumn gold. Near **Nielsen Park**, I stumbled upon a hidden cove where only the lap of waves and kookaburras’ laughter broke the silence. At the Gap, raw Pacific energy took center stage. Wind whipped my hair as I watched turquoise waves explode against rust-stained cliffs—nature’s theatre with no admission fee. Descending to **Camp Cove**, I traced the shore’s curve with bare feet, collecting spiral cowrie shells as cold water numbed my ankles. As dusk painted the harbour in apricot hues, I lingered near the striped **Hornby Lighthouse**. Sailboats glided past Shark Island while ferries became floating lanterns in the twilight. Walking back, the scent of woodsmoke from Vaucluse cottages mingled with salt air I caught the last ferry, salt-crusted shoes proof of a day well spent. Watson’s Bay in autumn isn’t just scenery; it’s Sydney’s soul laid bare—a quiet conversation between land, sea, and those wise enough Suggestions: - Doyle's fish & chips with harbour views - Shell-hunting at deserted Camp Cove - Sydney skyline peeking through coastal bushland - Sunset solitude at Hornby Lighthouse

It's about a 30-minute ferry ride from central Sydney. I took a little trip out and spent a relaxing day at Watsons Bay! ※Sydney's ferries are public transport! So you can easily ride with your transportation IC Opal card🚢🇦🇺 ◎Recommended points ●The ferry ride feels great! Cruising while feeling the sea breeze makes you feel like you're traveling🌈✨ You can also enjoy the view of Sydney Bay. ●Lunch at a pub with a view of the sea Enjoy local beer and fish and chips on the open terrace🍻It was a luxurious time. 📍Location: Doyles on the Beach Restaurant ●Walking course to South Head Walk along the beach for about 15 minutes to the cape with the lighthouse. The scenery along the way is beautiful and it's a pleasant trail 🏖️ There is also a small nude beach along the way, so you can enjoy the sense of openness that you can only experience abroad ✨ ● Hornby Lighthouse The cute lighthouse with red and white stripes is perfect for photos! It's impressive to see it standing alone on the cliff ❤️🤍❤️🤍 ● The sea and sunset from the cliff An unobstructed panoramic sea. And at dusk, I was able to encounter a magnificent view where the sky and sea are dyed golden 🌆 ◎Access ・About 30 minutes by ferry from Circular Quay ・A short walk from the Watsons Bay ferry terminal You can start sightseeing! It was a day of healing with nature, scenery, and quiet time. If you feel like going a little further away during your stay in Sydney, Watsons Bay is really recommended! #WatsonsBay #SydneyTrip #FerryTrip #SunsetView

📍Located near Palm Beach in northern Sydney, this lighthouse is in a prime location, with the vast Pacific Ocean on one side and the tranquil Broken Bay on the other. I was deeply attracted to it at first sight. The red and white tower is simple yet striking, and against the backdrop of the blue sky and sea, it looks like something out of a fairy tale. 🌊Walking along the winding path to the lighthouse, the sea breeze blows with the unique salty and wet smell of the sea. The scenery along the way is unbelievably beautiful, with waves constantly hitting the rocks on the shore, splashing layers of white waves, and making a pleasant sound, as if the sea is playing a beautiful symphony. Standing at the foot of the lighthouse and looking up, you can feel its majesty even more. This lighthouse is not only an important guide for navigation but also a witness to the passage of time. Imagine, for countless days and nights, it has stood here firmly, lighting the way for passing ships. 🌅The Hornby Lighthouse at sunset is a must-see. The afterglow of the setting sun dyes the sky orange-red, draping the lighthouse in a dreamy veil. At this time, the sea surface is sparkling, as beautiful as an Impressionist painting. I found a place to sit down and quietly enjoy this fleeting beauty, feeling incredibly peaceful inside. 📸It's super easy to take photos here, and they all look great. Whether it's a panoramic shot or a close-up with the lighthouse as the background, every frame can be used as wallpaper. If you also yearn for romantic and healing scenery, don't miss Hornby Lighthouse. Come here and encounter your own Sydney romance💕.

It was a Christmas trip to Sydney, Australia with my colleague. We visited the iconic Sydney Opera House early in the morning ⛅️ to catch the soft golden light illuminating its unique sails. Exploring Circular Quay, we were surrounded by breathtaking harbor views. I’d recommend visiting at sunrise for fewer crowds and stunning reflections on the water 💦 📍Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia We then climbed up the Pylon Lookout and explored its hidden history exhibits before marveling at panoramic views of the harbor. The late afternoon lighting made our photos truly magical 📸 recommend going just before sunset to capture both daylight and evening lights ✨ 📍Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia We also explored this lush oasis in the heart of the city and found amazing photo spots like Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair 🪑 with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge perfectly framed. The mid-morning light worked wonderfully for vibrant greenery and clear skies ⛅️ 📍Mrs. Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Exploring The Rocks during Christmas was a festive treat. We snapped photos 📸 of beautifully lit stalls, historic cobblestone streets, and holiday decorations. Visit between 6 PM and 9 PM 🌙 to enjoy the best ambiance. 📍Playfair St, George St & Jack Mundey Place, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia We took a ferry to Watsons Bay and explored the scenic coastal trails to Hornby Lighthouse ✨ The lighthouse, set against a backdrop of cliffs and ocean, was a fantastic spot for photos 📸 I’d recommend going in the late afternoon for softer light and a peaceful vibes 😍 📍Watsons Bay, NSW 2030, Australia #holiday #vacation #travel

The Hornby Lighthouse on the southern headland at the entrance to Sydney Harbor was built in 1858 and is the third lighthouse in the area. The reason for building the lighthouse was the sinking of two ships on the southern headland in 1857, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. The Hornby Lighthouse is nine meters high and initially used oil lamps. In 1904, it was converted to gas lamps, and in 1933, it was converted to electric lamps and automated. Before that, there was always a keeper living by the lighthouse. During World War II, the lighthouse was under military control until 1975 when it was transferred to the national park, and a keeper lived by the lighthouse again.