New South Wales · Attraction
Wollongong Harbour and Lighthouses
Two lighthouses, one harbour precinct
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Wollongong Harbour is home to Australia's only pair of lighthouses standing close together on an eastern coastline. The small red-capped Breakwater Lighthouse, first lit in 1872, guided coal ships into port throughout the industrial era, while the taller Flagstaff Point Lighthouse completed in 1936 remains an active navigational beacon on the headland above.
The harbour itself is a working fishing port and marina lined with cafes and picnic areas. Visitors can stroll the breakwater to the base of the Breakwater Lighthouse, watch charter fishing boats come and go, and enjoy views across the inlet toward the escarpment. The precinct is ideal at sunrise when both lighthouse towers glow against the morning sky.
The Breakwater Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1974 and restored in the early 2000s, returning it to its original configuration. It stands 12 metres tall in a tapered round wrought-iron tower painted white. The Flagstaff Point Lighthouse is constructed from reinforced concrete and was the first fully automatic unattended lighthouse built in New South Wales.
Entry to the harbour precinct and breakwater walk is free and unrestricted. The interiors of both lighthouses are closed to the public except on special occasions during maritime festivals.
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Scenic views
Lookouts near Wollongong Harbour and Lighthouses.
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