Hornby Lighthouse

Hornby Lighthouse, also known as South Head Lower Light or South Head Signal Station, is a heritage-listed lighthouse located on the tip of South Head, New South Wales, Australia.

It is the third oldest lighthouse in New South Wales, standing at a height of 9.1 meters. The tower is painted with red and white vertical stripes and was constructed using locally quarried sandstone. The lighthouse serves to mark the southern entrance to Port Jackson and Sydney Harbour, as well as provide lighting to the South Reef, a submerged ledge of rocks that posed a threat to ships.

The establishment of Hornby Lighthouse was a response to the loss of two ships in August 1857, resulting in the deaths of 142 people. Construction of the lighthouse began in the 1840s and it was officially opened in 1858 by Sir William Denison, the Governor of New South Wales. Over the years, the light was upgraded to gas incandescent and later electrified in 1933. The lighthouse now emits a white light that is visible for 15 nautical miles.

The lighthouse itself is a circular structure made of curved dressed sandstone. It has four levels and features a non-ferrous metal balcony and railing on top, surrounding the glass-enclosed lamp. The topmost tier has a cantilevered iron and timber catwalk, and the roof is made of metal with an observation fleche. The staff quarters wing has an "I" plan with enclosed verandahs on either side. The property is enclosed by a timber picket fence and is well maintained.

Hornby Lighthouse is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the Sydney