Crowdy Head Lighthouse: A Coastal Beacon
Historic lighthouse offering stunning coastal views and whale watching opportunities on the beautiful Barrington Coast.
Crowdy Head Lighthouse, built in 1878, stands as a sentinel overlooking the Manning River entrance. Designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet, it's one of five similar lighthouses along the NSW coast. The lighthouse played a vital role in assisting ships navigating the river, especially those carrying timber, livestock, and limestone. Originally manned by a single lightkeeper, the lighthouse used a two-wick burner with a range of 12 nautical miles. Over the years, it transitioned from acetylene gas in 1928 to mains electricity in 1972, and finally to an LED light source in 2021. The original keeper's residence is no longer standing, but the footings can still be seen. Today, Crowdy Head Lighthouse is a popular spot for visitors. The panoramic views stretch from Diamond Head and the Three Brothers mountains in the north to Seal Rocks in the south. It's also an excellent location for whale watching during their migration seasons (May-July and August-October).
Local tips
- Bring binoculars for whale watching during migration seasons (May-July & August-October).
- Visit on a clear night to potentially see the Tacking Point Lighthouse in Port Macquarie.
- Explore the nearby Crowdy Bay National Park for beaches and walking trails.
A brief summary to Crowdy Head Lighthouse
- Intersection of Elizabeth Street and, Geoffrey St, Crowdy Head, New South Wales, 2427, AU
- +61249976590
- Visit website
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Getting There
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Driving
From Taree, follow the signs to Harrington. Continue along Crowdy Head Road to Crowdy Head. Parking is available near the lighthouse. Note that Crowdy Bay National Park has a park entry fee of $8 per vehicle per day.
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Public Transport
Take a train or bus to Taree. From Taree, connect to Harrington via the Route 320 bus. From Harrington, there are limited transport options to Crowdy Head. Consider a taxi from Taree, with fares around $40-$60. Check current bus schedules and book train/bus tickets in advance.
