Barrenjoey Headland Circuit

Starting from the car park near Station Beach, Palm Beach, this walk takes you on a circuit on Barrenjoey Headland, visiting the same-titled lighthouse and the grave of George Mulhall along the way. A fantastic walk for those wanting a scenic journey on Sydney's northern beaches, this track features views of the central coast, Palm Beach, Broken Bay, Hawkesbury River and the South Pacific Ocean along with historic remnants of old lighthouses. Migrating whales can be observed northward from May till July and southward from August till October. There are newly constructed toilets and drinking fountains as well. Keep in mind that Council parking fees apply at the car park. Also, there are no bins so please take your rubbish with you. As this walk is in a national park; pets, drones and amplified music is not allowed. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions
Start (-33.5855032,151.3254795)
Mode Bus Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)
Directions From Beach Road
Turn on to then drive for 840 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Getting started
This walk starts from the car park at Station Beach (on the Pittwater side of the Palm Beach promontory, past the Palm Beach Golf Course and the boathouse wharf) At the northernmost end of the car park, this walk passes the 'Barrenjoey Head Aquatic Reserve' sign, heading north along Station Beach (keeping Pittwater to the left). The walk passes two distinct tracks on the right before coming to an intersection with a less-defined track, also on the right (and a 'This way to Lighthouse' sign), just before a small house. After turning right here, you’ll come to a four-way intersection in about a hundred metres. Stay on the same track to continue along Barrenjoey Headland Circuit (clockwise).....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. There is a toilet (about 145 m back from the start). There is a car park (about 8 m back from the start). After another 165 m continue straight. After another 160 m continue straight.
	After another 155 m (at the intersection of Smugglers Track & Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track) continue straight, to head along Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track. Then pass the sign (on your right). After another 570 m come to the viewpoint. After another 150 m head through/around the gate.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip along the eastern track on Barrenjoey Headland To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 35 m (at the intersection of Smugglers Track & Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track) turn sharp right, to head along Smugglers Track. After another 50 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left). After another 6 m find the "Barrenjoey Lighthouse" (25 m on your left). Barrenjoey Lighthouse The Barrenjoey Lighthouse was the third light constructed on this headland, completed in 1881. Designed by James Barnet, the NSW Colonial Architect, and built for a cost of $13,695 plus $2,210 for the lamp, the light is at an elevation of 113m and can be seen to a distance of 19 nautical miles (35 km) out to sea. There are tours from 11am to 3pm for $5 on Sundays featuring volunteer guides, excluding major public holidays and bad weather conditions. After another 8 m pass the water tap (20 m on your left). Then head down the steps (about 155 m long) After another 75 m head down the steps (about 30 m long) After another 45 m head down the steps (about 65 m long)
	At the intersection of Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track & Smugglers Track turn left (a walking track). After another 155 m continue straight. After another 160 m continue straight.
	After another 155 m come to the end.

Side trip along the eastern track on Barrenjoey Headland

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track & Smugglers Track Start (a walking track). Find the Barrenjoey Lighthouse at the start. Barrenjoey Lighthouse The Barrenjoey Lighthouse was the third light constructed on this headland, completed in 1881. Designed by James Barnet, the NSW Colonial Architect, and built for a cost of $13,695 plus $2,210 for the lamp, the light is at an elevation of 113m and can be seen to a distance of 19 nautical miles (35 km) out to sea. There are tours from 11am to 3pm for $5 on Sundays featuring volunteer guides, excluding major public holidays and bad weather conditions. Find the Gledhill Lookout at the start. Find the Grave Of George Mulhall at the start. Grave Of George Mulhall George Mulhall was the first principal lighthouse keeper of Barrenjoey headland, working in the permanent lighthouse from 1881 until he died from a stroke after being ill for 3 days. Although, Jervis Sparks states that he was "was struck down by a tremendous bolt of lightning" causing his death in June 1885. His son, George Mulhall Jr, was actually struck by lightning which burned his arm. . After another 7 m find the "Site of the First Barrenjoey Lighthouses" (6 m on your right). Site of the First Barrenjoey Lighthouses In 1868, two wooden lighthouses, known as the Stewart Towers, were built at either end of the headland to guide ships in to port. These were later replaced by the current tower in 1881. Stewart Towers were tended by George Mulhall Snr and Jnr, the first principle keepers of the current lighthouse. After another 205 m come to a viewpoint.
	The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 260 m to the main route.

Turn map

Directions & comments

At the intersection of Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track & Smugglers Track Start (a walking track).

Find the Barrenjoey Lighthouse at the start.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse was the third light constructed on this headland, completed in 1881. Designed by James Barnet, the NSW Colonial Architect, and built for a cost of $13,695 plus $2,210 for the lamp, the light is at an elevation of 113m and can be seen to a distance of 19 nautical miles (35 km) out to sea. There are tours from 11am to 3pm for $5 on Sundays featuring volunteer guides, excluding major public holidays and bad weather conditions.

Find the Gledhill Lookout at the start.

Find the Grave Of George Mulhall at the start.

Grave Of George Mulhall

George Mulhall was the first principal lighthouse keeper of Barrenjoey headland, working in the permanent lighthouse from 1881 until he died from a stroke after being ill for 3 days. Although, Jervis Sparks states that he was "was struck down by a tremendous bolt of lightning" causing his death in June 1885. His son, George Mulhall Jr, was actually struck by lightning which burned his arm. .

After another 7 m find the "Site of the First Barrenjoey Lighthouses" (6 m on your right).

Site of the First Barrenjoey Lighthouses

In 1868, two wooden lighthouses, known as the Stewart Towers, were built at either end of the headland to guide ships in to port. These were later replaced by the current tower in 1881. Stewart Towers were tended by George Mulhall Snr and Jnr, the first principle keepers of the current lighthouse.

After another 205 m come to a viewpoint.

The end.

Turn around and retrace your steps back the 260 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Barrenjoey Headland Circuit

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	2.1 km
Time	1 h to 1 h 30 min

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Toilet: There are 2 on route, on average they are 760 m apart with the largest gap of 1.3 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	-144 m	[toilet]
Toilet	1.3 km	[toilet]

Articles Discover more details to thrive on track

Barrenjoey Lighthouse
The Barrenjoey Lighthouse was the third light constructed on this headland, completed in 1881. Designed by James Barnet, the NSW Colonial Architect, and built for a cost of $13,695 plus $2,210 for the lamp, the light is at an elevation of 113m and can be seen to a distance of 19 nautical miles (35 km) out to sea. There are tours from 11am to 3pm for $5 on Sundays featuring volunteer guides, excluding major public holidays and bad weather conditions.

Site of the First Barrenjoey Lighthouses
In 1868, two wooden lighthouses, known as the Stewart Towers, were built at either end of the headland to guide ships in to port. These were later replaced by the current tower in 1881. Stewart Towers were tended by George Mulhall Snr and Jnr, the first principle keepers of the current lighthouse.

Grave Of George Mulhall
George Mulhall was the first principal lighthouse keeper of Barrenjoey headland, working in the permanent lighthouse from 1881 until he died from a stroke after being ill for 3 days. Although, Jervis Sparks states that he was "was struck down by a tremendous bolt of lightning" causing his death in June 1885. His son, George Mulhall Jr, was actually struck by lightning which burned his arm. .

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Wildwalks

Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Woy Woy Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
  
  Monday 7 July
  
  19°C
  Partly cloudy.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the late evening. Daytime maximum temperatures between 14 and 19.
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection not recommended, UV Index predicted to reach 2 [Low]
  
  Tuesday 8 July
  
  6°C → 18°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Patches of morning frost about the Upper Hunter. Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h increasing to 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 1 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 18.
  
  Wednesday 9 July
  
  9°C → 20°C
  Mostly sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 5 and 9 with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 20.
  
  Thursday 10 July
  
  7°C → 17°C
  Partly cloudy.
  20% chance of rain
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Snow possible above 1200 metres. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h increasing to 25 to 40 km/h during the morning then turning westerly 25 to 35 km/h during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 11 and 17.
  
  Friday 11 July
  
  7°C → 17°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Saturday 12 July
  
  6°C → 18°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Sunday 13 July
  
  5°C → 19°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Sunny.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park alerts
  Other planned events: 1080 pest management operation
  NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be conducting a baiting program using manufactured baits, fresh baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (CPEs) containing 1080 poison (sodium fluroacetate) for the control of foxes. The program is continuous and ongoing between Saturday 1 February 2025 and Thursday 31 July 2025 in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
  Please don’t touch baits or ejector devices. All baiting locations are identifiable by signs.
  Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW national parks and reserves. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.
  Fox baiting in these reserves is aimed at reducing their impact on threatened species.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Forestville area office on 02 9451 3479 or the Lane Cove area office on 02 8448 0400 (business hours). Alternatively, call the NPWS after-hours call centre on 1300 056 294.
  
  Closed areas: Berowra walking track partial closure
  Berowra walking track is partially closed from Apple Tree Bay to the Mt-Ku-ring-gai access track until further notice. There is a threat of rockfalls due to slope instability caused by recent weather events. NPWS is in the process of carrying out necessary repair works.
  Berowra walking track from Berowra Station to Mt Ku-ring-gai remains open.
  Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office on 02 8448 0400 or call 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS).
  
  Alert kindly provided by © NSW Nataional Parks and Wildlife Service

Start	(-33.5855032,151.3254795)
Mode	Bus Car (Parking fees apply in the area.)
Directions	From Beach Road Turn on to then drive for 840 m

Weather Forecast

Alerts