Once an island, Nobbys Head (Aboriginal: Whibayganba) is an iconic headland located on the southern entrance to Newcastle Harbour. The headland is situated above the Hunter River and the Tasman Sea of the South Pacific Ocean. Nobbys Head Lighthouse is located on the headland. The lighthouse is the third lighthouse built in New South Wales after the Macquarie Lighthouse in 1818 and the Hornby Lighthouse which was also built in 1858. The lighthouse is included in Newcastle's Coat of Arms.

Originally called Coal Island, and then later Nobbys Island, the Island was connected to the mainland at first by the convict-built Macquarie Pier, completed in 1846, 38 years after commencement. The pier was eventually replaced by a breakwater. Sand accumulate along the breakwall to make Nobby's beach, and the sand and plants makes the isthmus appear natural. The rock of the original island has significant tunneling was completed during the 1850s using convict labour, which was done with the aim to destroy the island.

Nobbys Head was thought to have been originally 62 metres high, however work done by the Coal River Working Party in 2010 has concluded that the original height was more likely 43 m high. It was reduced to its current 27.5 m height because sailing ships were losing wind in the sails as they rounded Nobbys Head, and to accommodate for a lighthouse and signal station, built in 1858. The rock taken from Nobbys to reduce its height was used in the pier's construction.

The lighthouse was designed by Alexander Dawson. The original light had an intensity of 20,000 cd and was attended by three lighthouse keepers. In 1934 the light was electrified and automated. The current light source is a 120 volt 1,000 watts (1.3 hp), quartz halogen lamp and the power source is mains electricity with a diesel generator as backup. Currently at the site are three one-story keeper's houses, a three-story signal station, and other buildings housing the port watch. The entire station is floodlit at night.

Near the waterfront, Newcastle city centre.