An 1881 sandstone lighthouse above Palm Beach's golden spit — Pittwater on one side, Pacific on the other, and Home and Away fame below.
FreeFamily
Barrenjoey Headland crowns the very top of Sydney’s northern beaches, its 1881 sandstone lighthouse standing over a view that splits two waters: the Pacific rolling in on one side, Pittwater’s yachts glittering on the other, and the golden sand isthmus of Palm Beach — Home and Away’s Summer Bay — threading between. For couples who’ll trade a 30-minute climb for drama, nothing on the peninsula compares.
The climb and the frames
Take the gentler Access Trail up (the Smugglers Track is steeper but faster) and time the summit for the last 90 minutes of light. The lighthouse’s sandstone glows amber at golden hour; the north-eastern platform frames couples against the double-water panorama, and the descent catches the beach’s curve below.
Practicalities
The headland is in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park — commercial shoots need an NPWS permit. There are no facilities at the top; Palm Beach’s cafes wait below. Weekday evenings keep the summit uncrowded. Pair it with the peninsula’s beaches or a northern beaches road trip, and see more photography spots.
🏅 Own or manage this place? Get your “Featured on AustralianSecret” badge
Show visitors you're featured in our independent directory — copy this snippet into your website. The badge links back to your listing here.
Watch
Photo Gallery
Facilities
None on the headland — cafes, toilets and parking at Palm Beach below
Photography Tips
Time the summit for golden hour: sandstone tower glowing, then the double-water panorama from the north-east platform as the light drops.
Insider Tips
Wear walkable shoes for the climb and carry outfits up — allow 30 minutes via the Access Trail. Book the NPWS permit for formal shoots.
Getting There
Park at Palm Beach's northern end (Governor Phillip Park) and walk the Access Trail or Smugglers Track to the summit; L90 bus from Wynyard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the walk to Barrenjoey Lighthouse?
About 30 minutes up the Access Trail from Governor Phillip Park, or 20 steeper minutes via the Smugglers Track.
Can you get married or shoot at the lighthouse?
Yes, with an NPWS permit for Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park — a popular choice for sunset pre-wedding sessions.
What is special about the view?
The headland splits two waters — the Pacific Ocean east, Pittwater west — with Palm Beach's golden isthmus running between.
Is Palm Beach the Home and Away beach?
Yes — Palm Beach doubles as Summer Bay, with the lighthouse headland appearing constantly in the series.
