Macquarie Lighthouse
Macquarie Lighthouse
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksLighthouses
About
Located along the scenic Federation Cliff Walk at Vaucluse in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Macquarie Lightstation is the site of Australia’s first lighthouse. Completed in 1818, Macquarie Lighthouse was designed by convict architect Francis Greenway for Lachlan Macquarie, the Governor of NSW. Owing to crumbling foundations, it was reconstructed in the 1880s. The replacement tower was designed by the state’s Colonial Architect, James Barnet, to closely resemble Greenway’s original. Standing at 26 metres tall, Barnet's iteration of Macquarie Lighthouse continues to be source of fascination for visitors.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles43 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
26
Average
3
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FlyAtNight
Brooklin, Canada3,448 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Solo
The Macquarie Lighthouse dates back to 1818. It is a stunning site to visit with excellent views of the ocean, unfortunately one cannot go inside.
Written 4 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael-4551
Caloundra, Australia5,458 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Solo
Visited on Friday 26th May. Stopped off to check out this grand lighthouse looking out to sea with views back over Sydney Harbour. There is an info board giving the history of this historic site.
Written 23 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JElliot32
New South Wales, Australia3,811 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021
Macquarie Lighthouse was Australia's first lighthouse, designed by the convict architect Francis Greenway and build in 1818, when Lachlan Macquarie was the Governor of NSW. There are many, many things in New South Wales named after Lachlan Macquarie! It is a beautiful and very photogenic old building, whitewashed and symmetrical and surrounded by an expanse of lawns. You can't miss it if you do the walk from Bondi to Watson's Bay. Unfortunately, there is no public access to the building.
Written 22 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris D
Liston, Australia41 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Its a lighthouse surrounded by a a big grassy park, its ok I walked past it yesterday. Maybe if you booked a tour and went inside, then it might be worth doing.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

revett2016
Santa Rosa, CA529 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
A stately old lighthouse that is regally set atop a panoramic oceanfront path. The lighthouse is only open with special tours but the outside pathway is nice (no shade) alongside the ocean. We’re able to see otters basking on the rocks.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nikhhil Agarwal
Bengaluru, India163 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
A good place to visit, the first lighthouse of Australia built-in 1818 but do not visit on a hot day because a lot of walking is required.
Written 24 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia45,458 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
Macquarie Lighthouse is a historic sight. Its story goes back to the late eighteenth century! And it's still going! We were there a short while ago and stopped for a few minutes. The views are fantastic and the spot is just great for a brief relaxing stop.
Written 16 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angie Stern-Lynch 👫
Newcastle, Australia2,934 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Friends
A top location.... we came here to do a photo shoot and perfect it was but as we had time we looked around , this light house is super cool and the history of this lighthouse is amazing,
Great history
Great location
Great for photos of any kind.
Written 1 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD9,113 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
We took Bus #380($3 each) from Museum Station for 13 km northeast to this 1883 lighthouse in the Vaucluse suburb. Its 85' bright white tower sits between the keeper's cottage, still much the same as the 1818 original structure designed by a convict. Just to the rear side, we strolled Federation Cliff Walk to get an overall view with the sandstone cliffs rising out of the Tasman Sea. Another nearby viewpoint shows Watson Bay to the north along with the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
We re-boarded Bus # 380 for 5 km south to Bondi Beach for lunch, then again for a stop at Paddington Market on the return to Museum Station in Sydney.
Written 28 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Good_Partner
Sydney, Australia4,238 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Friends
You won't believe your eyes this is the first lighthouse in Australia, started operating in 1818 with it's sparkling white wall even under cloudy weather. A short walk around, it's the cliff overlooking Watsons Bay and Diamond Bay Reserve. Worth a visit, definitely.
Written 31 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Macquarie Lighthouse - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Macquarie Lighthouse