5 Lighthouse Stays in NSW for a Round the Twist Adventure

The NSW coastline is sprinkled with beaming lighthouses and the long-lasting cottages that were built to house the lighthouse keepers. And you can stay in them!

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

If you’ve ever wondered how you’d fare living the salty-aired life of a lighthouse keeper, then I’ve got just the quirky accommodation for you. Across NSW there are five lighthouse stays to choose from where you can bunker down in the cosy cottages built and maintained for the trusty lighthouse keepers. 

From the most easterly point of the Australian mainland to a national park island, here are five lighthouse stays NSW has to offer. Light your beacons and let’s hit the coast (not literally of course).

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

5 Lighthouse Stays NSW

1. Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages

Location: Barrington Coast
Cost: from $470 a night
Minimum stay: 2 nights+
Sleeps: up to 20 people
Facilities: Kitchen, bathroom, linen & towels provided

Nestled within Myall Lake National Park, not far from Forster on the Barrington Coast, you’ll find the Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages.

Standing high on a dramatically rugged headland, these cottages come with uninterrupted views across the Pacific Ocean and are surrounded by natural bush that drops away down either side of the cliff.

The three cottages – Head Keepers’ Cottage, which sleeps eight people, and the two Assistant Keepers’ Cottages, each sleeping six – can be booked together or separately to cater to your group size. All three cottages have been lovingly restored since they were built in 1875 and feature an outdoor area with panoramic views to drink in.

A stunning weekend away in their own right, these lighthouse stays are also a fantastic launching point for tracking down stunning beaches to laze on and bushy trails to wander down.

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Seal Rocks Lighthouse Cottages, Myall Lakes National Park | Photo by J Terre

2. Cape Byron’s Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottage

Location: North Coast
Cost: approx $500 per night
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Sleeps: up to 12 people
Facilities: BBQ, indoor fireplace, linen & towels, washing machine, heating, kitchen & bathroom, drinking water

Be the first person in Australia to see the sunrise when you stay at Cape Byron’s Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottage. From your perch atop the iconic headland in the heart of Byron Bay, peer across the ocean and down onto the surf breaks and beaches the town is known for.

With two semi-detached cottages available for booking, either together or separately, you can keep it low-key or invite all your mates along. The centre of Byron Bay is just a short drive or brisk 30 minute stroll from the cottages, or take the scenic route and wander down the cliff to the shore for a ocean dip on the way.

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Assistant Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages, Byron Bay | Photo by J Spencer

3. Green Cape Lightstation Keepers’ Cottages

Location: Far South Coast
Cost: approx $300 per night
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Sleeps: up to 18 people
Facilities: Linen & towels, heating, showers, toilets, kitchen, drinking water

Well and truly escape the pace of the city with a lighthouse stay near Eden on NSW’s Far South Coast. The beautifully restored Green Cape Lightstation Keepers’ Cottages are perfectly perched on the peninsula in Beowa National Park and boast ocean views whale watchers would die for. For those intrigued by the region’s nautical history, you can spot shipwrecks at Disaster Bay not too far away, or travel back into Eden to visit the whale museum.

Read more: 9 Epic Whale Watching Spots Near Sydney

With three different cottages to choose between (cottages 1 and 2 share a hallway and kitchen) there’s plenty of opportunity for a long weekend lighthouse stay.

Why not book in a stay after a nice long coastal walk on the Light to Light track? And don’t forget to take up the free tour of the lighthouse while you’re there.

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Photo by Green Cape Lightstation Keepers’ Cottages

4. Montague Island Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages

Location: South Coast
Cost: from $1435 per night
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Sleeps: up to 16 people
Facilities: Kitchen, showers, toilets, TV, gas heater, BBQ, linen provided

By booking a lighthouse stay at Montage Island Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages, not only will you have the accommodation to yourself, but you’ll have an entire island too.

Situated around 9km off the coast of Narooma, Baranguba/Montague Island is a wildlife haven, thanks to its nature reserve status. The island is home to a harem of seals, who you can choose to book a dive or snorkel with, and over 90 species of birds have been spotted there too.

Read more: Swim With Seals at Montague Island

You’ll also have an endless vista back to the mainland across which you should keep an eye out for the spout of migrating whales. Baranguba/Montague Island is a place of significance for the local Yuin people as well.

No private vessels are allowed to access the island, but luckily, boat transfers and a 2.5 hour tour of Baranguba/Montague Island are included in the cost of accommodation.

The cottages were built in 1881 and have been restored in the style of the era (with added modern comforts of course). They can be booked separately or together.

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Baranguba/Montague Island | Photo by D Tran

5. Smoky Cape Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages

Location: North Coast
Cost: from $350 per night
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Sleeps: up to 16 people
Facilities: Linen & towels provided, kitchen, bathroom, heating, TV

If you’re looking for a cosy B’n’B style stay in one of NSW’s most underrated national parks, look no further than Smoky Cape Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages in Hat Head National Park.

Not far from South West Rocks, the stunning cliff-top location of this lighthouse stay is enough to make you feel like you’re going round the twist.

With multiple cottages, rooms, and bedding arrangements available for booking, you can make it a romantic getaway for two or a holiday for the whole family. Whether you’re soaking up the sun, sand, and salt in summer or keeping eyes glued to the horizon for whales in winter, the Smoky Cape Lighthouse Keepers’ Cottages are a delight any time of year.

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Image thanks to Smoky Lighthouse Keepers Cottages

FAQs Lighthouse Stays NSW

What is the most beautiful lighthouse in NSW?

Oooh this is a tough one! NSW has so many striking lighthouses, from the sandstone, heritage-listed tower of Barrenjoey Lighthouse on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, to Smoky Cape Lighthouse sitting atop the rugged headlands of Hat Head National Park, NSW is packed with gorgeous lighthouses in stunning coastal locations.

Can you spend the night in a lighthouse?

Although these are lighthouse stays, the accommodation isn’t within the lighthouse tower itself, but the original cottages and homes built for the lighthouse keeper to live in with their family.

Can you stay on Montague Island?

Yes! You can stay the night on Montague Island in one of the lighthouse keeper cottages found there. These need to be booked ahead of time and this booking includes your boat transfer to and from the island (plus a 2.5 hour tour of the island too).

What is the tallest lighthouse in NSW?

Green Cape Lighthouse in Beowa National Park is the tallest lighthouse in NSW, standing at 29m high.

What is the most famous lighthouse in Australia?

There are a few possibilities here – either Cape Byron Lighthouse in the heart of Byron Bay, or Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, Victoria, thanks to its association with Aussie TV show Round the Twist.

Feature image by D Tran
Table of Contents image by Rob Mulally