A well-known Cape Breton lighthouse with a history dating back nearly two centuries is hoping for a future as an attraction for cruise visitors.

The Low Point Lighthouse has been perched postcard-perfect at the entrance to Sydney Harbour, near New Waterford, since 1832.

The historic beacon has been witness to a lot over the years.

“It's just a structure that has so much history,” said Lawrence MacSween, the co-chair of the Low Point Lighthouse Society. “It’s been there for so long. It's seen our sailors go overseas. It's seen our sailors come back.”

Now, the hope is it can become a guiding light that will attract cruise-ship visitors to this part of the island.

The cruise marketing manager for the Port of Sydney says they are interested.

But for the trip to be worthwhile for tour operators, the lighthouse would have to be part of a larger route, with passengers making a day out of it by visiting several attractions.

“It goes along with Fort Petrie, the stone church, and the Atlantic Memorial Park on the other side of the Harbour,” said Christina Lamey, the cruise marketing manager of the Port of Sydney. “All of them, together, constitute a very interesting group of offerings for tourism.”

Some passengers get off the boat in Sydney looking to visit the lighthouse they just saw from the ship on the way in, only to realize that it's a 15-to-20-minute drive away.

“I already know that tourists who land at our dock sometimes ask, ‘how do we get to that lighthouse we passed on the way in?’ so it's great news to see the site coming alive,” Lamey said.

The lighthouse recently underwent some refurbishments after winning $75,000 in a national contest.

The site would need a few more upgrades -- including widening its dirt road -- before it could be ready for buses.

“Some turnaround points, perhaps some barriers for the bank, for liability reasons,  But it's something that's definitely doable,” said MacSween.

He says he's optimistic it could all work out in time for next year's cruise season when more than 100 ships are expected to call.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.