[7] The first signal station was operated close to the present site in 1790, serving as a landmark for ships to communicate their arrival to the settlement.

[9] The South Head Signal Station is a dominant Sydney landmark which appears to have been in continuous use since the 1840s as a controlling point for shipping entering and leaving Port Jackson.

[5] A solid sandstone tower with connected watch keepers quarters built in the early 1840s and designed by the Colonial Architect Mortimer Lewis.

The topmost level has a cantilevered iron and timber catwalk and the metal pitched roof is surmounted by an observation fleche.

Decoration is minimal but the form of the shaft with simple stepping, string courses and small panel oval and square windows is typical of restrained Colonial Georgian building work.

[5][10] After coming onto the real estate market for the first time, the two-bedroom Cottage One of the Signal Station has been leased on the first inspection, by a young family.

With World War II the shoreline fell under control of the Army, and remained so until 1977, housing serving married personnel.

[13][5] A dominant Sydney landmark which appears to have been in continuous use since the 1840s as a controlling point for shipping entering and leaving Port Jackson.

[5] A solid sandstone tower with connected watch keepers quarters built in the early 1840s and designed by the Colonial Architect Mortimer Lewis.

Decoration is minimal but the form of the shaft with simple stepping, string courses and small panel oval and square windows is typical of restrained Colonial Georgian building work.

[5][10] The lighthouse is a tapered circular structure, built of curved dressed sandstone[3] and standing 9.1 metres (30 ft) above the ground.

[1] It can be reached by walking along the South Head Heritage Trail through Sydney Harbour National Park, starting at Camp Cove.