South Solitary Island

South Solitary IslandSouth Solitary IslandSouth Solitary Island

South Solitary Island

South Solitary IslandSouth Solitary IslandSouth Solitary Island
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  • The Signal Station
  • Shipwrecks and Timeline
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South Solitary Island Tours

South Solitary Island, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia

Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia

Abandoned Lighthouse Island

One of only two lighthouse islands in New South Wales, it is situated approximately 18km from Coffs Harbour. 

The buildings were constructed in 1880 and are considered to be the oldest in the area.

The island is not accessible to the public, it is under the care of National Parks & Wildlife.

The lightstation was automated in 1975.

The Head Keepers Quarters and Assistant Keepers Quarters have been abandoned since 1975.

Bird nesting season is from September to March - the island is closed to visitors/private tours.

Fly by Helicopter - Walking Guided Tour

Tour the Abandoned Lighthouse Island - Autumn/Winter 2021

Join the Waiting List for next tours - precisionhelis@bigpond.com


Fly by helicopter for a walking guided tour of this historic lighthouse island.

The Lighthouse was automated in 1975 with all Keeper's and families leaving the island at this time. The island has been abandoned since 1975, the Keeper's Quarters being left to the elements and the birds! 

Access is restricted with the only chance to visit the island and view the quarters is by the tours held once a year by National Parks & Wildlife and Precision Helicopters.

Bell LongRanger on South Solitary Island, New South Wales walking guided tours Lighthouse NSW

Superior Lightstation Tour - One Hour

includes ex-resident on the island*, tour of Lighthouse, tour of Keepers Quarters. 

$380 per person
What to Expect:

  • The visit on the island will be for 1 hour with an approximate 8 minute helicopter flight each way.
  • Tours will be conducted in small groups.
  • Once you have had a full safety briefing of the helicopter, the group will fly to the island.
  • On the island you will be taken on a fully guided interpretive tour by NPWS Rangers.
  • The tour will include inspecting some rooms of the Head lighthouse keepers quarters.
  • You will have the good fortune to inspect the Lighthouse and ascend the spiral staircase to view the magical panorama from the Light Tower balcony and Rangers will enlighten you with fascinating facts of the Lighthouse.
  • On the island will be a person who had lived on the island when the Lighthouse was not automated - listen to amazing stories of life hardships. *to be confirmed
  • Groups will stay together on formed concrete paths, children must be supervised at all times.
  • Return to Coffs Harbour Airport after the tour. 
  • Price: $380 per person

Walking Guided Tour on South Solitary Island, New South Wales, Photo by Phil Nicholas, Lighthouse

Premium Lightstation Tour - Two Hours

includes 1 hour extra, ex-resident on island*, tour of Lighthouse, tour of Keepers Quarters, walk down to gantry 

$490 per person 

What to Expect: 

  • Your visit to the island will be for 2 hours with an approximate 8 min helicopter flight each way.
  • Tours will be conducted in small groups.
  • Once you have had a full safety briefing of the helicopter, the group will fly to the island.
  • On the island you will be taken on a fully guided 2 hour interpretive tour by NPWS Rangers.
  • The tour will include inspecting some rooms of the Head lighthouse keepers quarters, an opportunity to hear some stories of life on the island before it was automated in 1975 and a walk down to the old gantry.
  • You will have the good fortune to inspect the Lighthouse and ascend the spiral staircase to view the magical panorama from the Light Tower balcony and Rangers will enlighten you with fascinating facts of the Lighthouse.
  • On the island will be a person who had lived on the island when the Lighthouse was not automated - listen to amazing stories of life hardships. * to be confirmed
  • An opportunity for a more relaxed pace of experience on the island, where participants can more readily absorb the unique environmental ambience of the island and follow their imagination as it wanders back through time to ponder the colourful times gone by of generations of lighthouse keepers and their families.  Time also to engage in casual conversation under the eaves of the restored keepers cottage with Rangers, all the while spotting for the blow of humpback whales on their migration to more northern breeding grounds. 
  • Groups will stay on formed concrete paths, children must be supervised at all times.
  • Return to Coffs Harbour Airport after the tour.
  • Price: $490 per person

Ready to Book - Autumn/Winter 2021

What to Bring:

Departing from: Coffs Harbour

Departing from: Coffs Harbour

  •  One small backpack per group (booking), water, camera, sunglasses, good hat that stays on in a strong breeze!, sun cream, waterproof jacket if showery.
  • Wear long sleeved clothing and flat sturdy footwear, NO thongs or slip on sandals. 

Departing from: Coffs Harbour

Departing from: Coffs Harbour

Departing from: Coffs Harbour

Departure location of next tours to be advised on booking. 


A good level of mobility is required.


Please carefully review Terms and Conditions

Terms & Conditions

From You to Us:

Departing from: Coffs Harbour

From You to Us:

 Send to precisionhelis@bigpond.com

  1. Preferred weekend date: to be confirmed
  2. Which tour (2 hour or 1 hour):
  3. How many tickets you require:
  4. Full names and weight for each of the tickets:
  5. Mobile phone number:
  6. Confirmation each ticket holder has read/understood Terms & Conditions

Let's Go.....

Walking Guided Tour, visitors on helipad infront of the Lighthouse on South Solitary Island, New Sou

Bookings Made Through Precision Helicopters

Any questions you have, do not hesitate to contact us at Precision Helicopters


Send your pre-booking or to join the waiting list:

precisionhelis@bigpond.com

(02) 6652 9988


Actual time of day of your tour will be given to you closer to the departure date.  

Ticket Holder must be available for the full day of the tour.  

Tours may be transferred to alternate time/day if weather prevails.

Payment in full due 6 weeks before tour.

Time to Visit History Again

Cinesound News- 1950's

 Insight into life on the island in the 1950's - have your sound on.... 

A Journey From a Few Years Ago...

 Let's get inspired to do this..... 

Private Tour of the Island

Private tour of South Solitary Island, New South Wales. Bespoke tours with small groups

Unique Lightstation Tour

Offering a longer stay on the island, a smaller group size and a more intimate experience, the Wildlife Special includes key aspects of the standard guided tour of the island and around the light station with an added focus on experiencing of South Solitary Island and surrounding Solitary Islands Marine Park. 

3 Hour Tour - $950 per person 


precisionhelis@bigpond.com

(02) 6652 9988

*minimum numbers required

Previous Visitors say....

"I've done a lot of travel overseas & seen some fantastic sights, and this trip to South Solitary Island Lighthouse is right up there with them. I was amazed and the two hour tour is thoroughly recommended, it was not rushed and to see the lighthouse up close after seeing it from afar from shore was something that has been on my bucket list for a long time.”
Best wishes to the FOSSIL's and Precision Helicopters, you are doing a fantastic job for Coffs Coast tourism.” 

 “breathtaking...in a dream turned reality – wonderful to be part of such an incredible history – thankyou to all involved in restoring and enabling the tours!” 

Should be on everyone's "Bucket List"...

Fantastic experience & some fantastic history... Flight was a real highlight too... All staff concerned were friendly & knowledgeable... Great to be able to see the lens up and running on the weekend as well... An absolute 'must do'...

Copyright © 2020 South Solitary Island - All Rights Reserved.

  • Tours
  • History
  • The Buildings
  • Development
  • Life On The Island
  • Island Access
  • A Tragic Death
  • The Lighthouse
  • The Keepers
  • The Lantern
  • The Signal Station
  • Shipwrecks and Timeline
  • Culture and Wildlife
  • Friends of South Solitary
  • Current History
  • Location
  • Contact Us
  • Shop and Links
  • Tour Terms