Barrenjoey Headland is the most northerly point on Sydney's Northern Beaches, and is managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
 
You can travel by car and park at the north end of Governor Philip Park, Palm Beach. If you prefer public transport, catch a B1 bus from Wynyard to Mona Vale, then change buses for the 199 to Palm Beach. Buses stop at the Palm Beach Golf Club and from there, walk north past the golf course and The Boathouse Restaurant to the car park. You will see  a sign directing visitors to walk along the beach on the western side to begin the journey to the top.
 
There are two routes.  The easier Access Trail  is  800 metres long, and a 15 minute  Grade 2 walk. Alternatively take the steeper Smuggler's Track which is  400 metres, 10 minutes and a  Grade 3 walk. The entire distance  is approximately 3 kilometres.
The views at the top are spectacular. Palm Beach and Pittwater are to the south with Broken Bay to the north. If you are lucky you might see  whales on their annual migration. Barrenjoey Lighthouse and the adjacent cottages were built in 1881 from sandstone quarried on site. The only way to see inside the lighthouse is a guided tour run by the National Parks on Sundays.
 
There are tracks around the top where you will find the grave of the lighthouse's first keeper, George Mulhall. Follow a track from the grave to a cairn which marks the site of one of two  Stewart Towers, used as beacons to guide boats before the lighthouse was in operation.
 
Return  to Palm Beach for a swim, a meal or a drink in one of the many cafes and clubs.