Lighthouses of Australia: Northern New South Wales

The independent Commonwealth of Australia occupies the entire Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. British exploration and settling of the continent began late in the 1700s, with the first colony established in the Sydney area in 1788. By the 1850s there were six British colonies, including New South Wales and Queensland in the east, Victoria and South Australia in the south, Western Australia in the west, and Tasmania off the south coast. The Commonwealth was formed on New Years Day 1901 as a federation of the six colonies.

Australia is both the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world, with a population of about 26 million. It continues to be a federation of the six original states, plus the federally administered Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, and Jervis Bay Territory. It is a Commonwealth Realm recognizing the British monarch as head of state.

Located in the southeastern part of Australia, the state of New South Wales faces east on the Tasman Sea and includes the nation's largest metropolitan area, Sydney. It has about 35 historic light stations and an impressive collection of surviving lighthouses. Many of these lighthouses were built during a single decade, 1875-1885, on designs drawn by James Barnet (1827-1904), who held the post of Colonial Architect from 1862 to 1890. The lanterns and galleries of Barnet's lighthouses have a distinctive and elegant style illustrated by the Barrenjoey Head lighthouse shown at the right.

Most New South Wales lighthouses are accessible but only a few are open for climbing. Although there is no state preservation society there have been many successful local preservation efforts.

This page includes lighthouses of the northern half of the state, from the Queensland border south through the Central Coast Region to Barrenjoey Head. The Southern New South Wales page includes lighthouses from Sydney Harbour to the Victoria border.

Coastal aids to navigation in Australia are maintained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Harbor lights are maintained by NSW Maritime or by the Port Authority of New South Wales (formerly Sydney Ports). Some of the light stations are parklands managed by the N.S.W. Department of Planning and Environment. Many of the others are managed by the N.S.W. Crown Lands Division.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights, Admiralty numbers are from volume K of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals, and U.S. NGA numbers are from NGA Publication 111.

General Sources
Lighthouses of New South Wales
The section of the Lighthouses of Australia site devoted to New South Wales lights.
AMSA Heritage Lighthouses
An interactive map links to information and photos for the major AMSA lighthouses.
Lighthouses and Lightvessels in Australia - New South Wales
Index to Wikipedia articles; most include photos.
Lighthouses in New South Wales
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
World of Lighthouses - New South Wales
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Online List of Lights - Australia
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. Many of the photos for New South Wales are by Michael Boucher.
Grant and Tracey's Lighthouse Page - New South Wales
Older photos of most of the lighthouses posted by Grant Maizels.
Brett Matthews - Lighthouses
A fine collection of photos of Australian lighthouses, mostly in New South Wales.
Leuchttürme Australiens und Ozeaniens auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
GPSNauticalCharts
Navigation chart information for New South Wales.
Navionics Charts
Navigation chart for New South Wales.


Barrenjoey Head Light, Palm Beach, August 2015
Flickr Creative Commons photo
by Jason Wong


Fingal Head Light, Tweed Shire, January 2024
Instagram photo
by in.her.sights

Tweed Shire (Far North Coast) Lighthouses
* Point Danger (Captain Cook Memorial)
1971. Active; focal plane 44.5 m (146 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 20 m (66 ft) concrete monument, consisting of four pillars marked with the four principal directions of the compass, plus a bronze sculpture suspended between the pillars. An adjoining 1-story building houses the Point Danger Volunteer Marine Rescue station. A photo by Dave Sarks is at right, Wikipedia has an article with a photo, Trabas has Boucher's closeup photo, Fabio Filardi has a 2020 photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. In 2012-13 the Gold Coast City (Queensland) and Tweed Shire (New South Wales) Councils cooperated in a $200,000 project to restore the lighthouse. Located on the point (named by Captain Cook in 1770) southeast of Coolangatta and precisely on the border of Queensland and New South Wales. Site open, tower closed. Operator/site manager: NSW Maritime. . ARLHS AUS-132; Admiralty K2845; NGA 5868.
* Fingal Head (2)
1878 (James Barnet). Station established with a post light in 1872. Active; focal plane 24 m (80 ft); flash every 5 s, red to the east and white in other directions. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete-covered brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The keeper's house was demolished in 1920; its foundation ruins are adjacent to the tower. This is one of five small lighthouses of this design built in 1878-80. A 2024 photo is at the top of this page, a 2022 closeup photo is available, Wikipedia has an article with recent and historic photos, Trabas has Boucher's closeup photo, a 2021 photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, David Guatta has a closeup street view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a headland about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Point Danger (the Queensland border). Accessible by road from the Pacific Highway just south of the Tweed River. Parking provided and there is a public beach and picnic area just north of the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Operator: NSW Maritime. Site manager: Tweed Shire Council. . ARLHS AUS-073; Admiralty K2844; NGA 5872.

Point Danger Light (Captain Cook Memorial), Gold Coast, July 2018
Google Maps photo by Dave Sarks

Byron Shire Lighthouse
**** Cape Byron
1901 (Charles Harding). Active; focal plane 118 m (387 ft); white flash every 15 s; also a continuous red light, focal plane 111 m (364 ft), shown toward nearby reefs. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical concrete block tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete block keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. The original 1st order Henry-LePaute lens remains in use. A 2022 photo appears at right, Wikipedia has an article with several photos, Trabas has Boucher's photo, Gilad Aminoff is a 2021 photo, Mark Smith has a fine photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Marking the easternmost point of Australia at longitude 153°38.2' E, this is one of the best known lighthouses in the country, attracting more than 500,000 visitors per year. It is a popular site for whale watching, and Southern Cross University's Whale Research Centre is located at the lighthouse. The two assistant keeper's houses are available for overnight rental. The Cape Byron Lighthouse Friends help maintain the lighthouse. The lighthouse was repainted inside and out in fall 2015. In 2021 the international lighthouse agency IALAISM named the lighthouse the Heritage Lighthouse of the Year. Located on the cape, at the end of Lighthouse Road east of Byron Bay. Parking provided. Site open daily (parking fee), tower open to guided tours daily; two-hour tours of the light station are also available (reservations required). Operator: AMSA. Site managers: Cape Byron Lighthouse and NSW National Parks (Cape Byron State Conservation Area). . ARLHS AUS-025; Admiralty K2838; NGA 5884.

Ballina Shire Lighthouse
* Ballina Head (Ballina, Richmond River) (2)
1880 (James Barnet). Station established 1866. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); four white flashes every 16 s. 7 m (25 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A 2nd order Chance Brothers Fresnel lens is in use. 1-story keeper's house. Wikipedia has an article with several photos, Trabas has Boucher's closeup photo, George Hardie has a 2018 photo, Verné Dove has a 2022 photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This is one of five small lighthouses of this design built in 1878-80. In 2011 the state granted funds for repainting and repairs to the lighthouse. Located on a headland on the north side of the entrance to the Richmond River in Ballina. Site open, tower closed. Operator/site manager: NSW Maritime. . ARLHS AUS-142; Admiralty K2834; NGA 5888.

Richmond Valley Shire Lighthouse
* [Evans Head]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); flash every 5 s, white or red depending on direction. 4 m (13 ft) square white fiberglass cabinet. Trabas has Rainer Arndt's photo, Michael Hains has a closeup photo, a 2023 closeup is available, and Bing has a satellite view. Located on a steep headland on the south side of the entrance to Evans River, a small fishing port. Accessible by a short hike from the town. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS AUS-175; Admiralty K2829; NGA 5900.

Cape Byron Light, Byron Bay, December 2022
Instagram photo
by MV Cape Don/Moreton/Pillar

Clarence Valley Council Area Lighthouses
* Clarence River (Yamba) (2) (replica)
Replica of the 1880 lighthouse. Inactive. Approx. 7 m (25 ft) round tower, similar in form to the Fingal Head and Ballina Head Lights, with lantern and gallery. The original lighthouse was demolished in 1956 to make way for a reservoir. After the reservoir was removed in 1980 volunteers launched an effort to build a replica of the lighthouse. The light tower was left unfinished, however, with no lantern. The building was (and is) occupied by the community radio station. In 2011 work resumed; a lantern and a 3rd order Fresnel lens from the South Neptune Island Light in South Australia were installed and work was completed by the end of the year. A 2021 photo is at right, Tom Silva has a 2017 photo, Christina Henry has a photo, and Google has a 2023 street view and a satellite view. Google's 2008 street view shows the incomplete building. Wikipedia has a 1902 photo of the 1880 lighthouse. Located near the 1955 lighthouse in Yamba. The mast from the original 1866 light is on display at the Story House Museum in Yamba. Site open, tower status unknown. Owner/site manager: Yamba Radio 2TLC.
* Clarence River (Yamba) (Range Rear) (3)
1955 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); three white flashes every 15 s; also a continuous blue neon light is shown as the rear light of the North Channel Range. 17 m (60 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with fluted sides, lantern, and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Trabas has Boucher's photo, George Rosler has a 2021 photo, Matthews has a good closeup photo, Wikipedia has an article with a closeup by Jason Armistead, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. The front light of the range is on a post on the South Breakwater at the river entrance. Located on Pilot Hill in Yamba, about 30 km (19 mi) east of Maclean, south of the entrance to the Clarence River. On-street parking available. Site open, tower closed. Operator: AMSA. Site manager: Department of Lands. . ARLHS AUS-058; Admiralty K2818; NGA 5920.

Clarence River Light replica, Yamba, December 2021
Google Maps photo by Canned Worms

Solitary Islands Lighthouses
The Solitary Islands are small, rocky islands scattered off the New South Wales for about 75 km (47 mi) between Wooli River and Coffs Harbor. The islands are protected within the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

[North Solitary Island]
1975. Active; focal plane 190 ft; two white flashes every 10 s. 4 m (13 ft) white fiberglass tower; no lantern. Wikipedia has an article with a photo and Bing has a distant satellite view. Sibling of the Evans Head Light (see above). North Solitary Island, about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Wooli River, is one of the largest islands of the group; although broken into several pieces by narrow channels it is about 1.6 km (1 mi) long. Located about 30 km (19 mi) north northwest of South Solitary Island. Site and tower closed. Operator: AMSA. Site manager: NSW Maritime Parks Authority (Solitary Islands Marine Park). ARLHS AUS-238; Admiralty K2813; NGA 5972.
South Solitary Island
1880 (James Barnet). Active; focal plane 58 m (190) ft; white flash every 5 s. 20 m (66 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted white; solar-powered lens. Three original 1-story stone keeper's houses. The original Fresnel lens has been in storage. In March 2022 plans were announced to restore the lens for display and March 2024 the lens was unveiled in a special enclosure. Wikipedia has an article with excellent photos, Patrick Novak has a closeup photo, C.D. Bragg has a July 2022 photo of a tour group at the lighthouse, Julia Vize has a view from the sea, Trabas has Boucher's very distant view, Josh Cooper's 2020 photo shows the lighthouse surrounded by scaffolding, and Google has a good satellite view. The Solitary Islands are a restricted marine reserve, closed to the public. In 2004 NSW National Parks spent $440,000 restoring the buildings and in 2020 AMSA completed at $1.5 million restoration. The Friends of South Solitary Island Lighthouse help maintain the station. Located at the summit of the island about 15 km (9 mi) northeast of Coffs Harbour. Site and tower closed; the lighthouse can be seen from boat tours and helicopter flights from Coffs Harbour. The Parks Authority and Precision Helicopters offers on-site tours by helicopter on the first and third Saturdays of each month, June through September. Operator: AMSA. Site manager: NSW Maritime Parks Authority (Solitary Islands Marine Park). . ARLHS AUS-152; Admiralty K2812; NGA 5976.

Kempsey Shire Lighthouse
** Smoky Cape
1891 (James Barnet). Active; focal plane 128 m (420 ft); three white flashes (separated by 3.1 s) every 20 s. 17 m (57 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery attached to a 1-story service building. The original 1st order Fresnel lens is in use. The keeper's houses are available for overnight accommodations. The coach house and other buildings are also preserved. Christopher Huang has the closeup photo seen at right, Wikipedia has an article with several photos, Trabas has Boucher's closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located on the cape about 5 km (3 mi) east of the town of South West Rocks. Accessible by road and parking is provided. Site open; tower open to guided tours (reservations required) on the second Saturday of each month March through December. Operator: AMSA. Site manager: NSW National Parks (Hat Head National Park, Smoky Cape Lighthouse). . ARLHS AUS-149; Admiralty K2796; NGA 6016.

Smoky Cape Light, South West Rocks, October 2017
Google Maps photo by Christopher Huang

Port Macquarie-Hastings Shire Lighthouses
* Broadwater Entrance South
Date unknown. Active (privately maintained); focal plane 8 m (26 ft); continuous green light. Approx. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern roof green. Jeannie Veitch has a photo of the two Broadwater lighthouses and Google has a satellite view. Located on the south side of the entrance to a retirement community on the south side of Hastings River in Port Macquarie. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K2793.8.
* Broadwater Entrance North
Date unknown. Active (privately maintained); focal plane 8 m (26 ft); continuous red light. Approx. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern roof red. Jeannie Veitch has a photo of the two Broadwater lighthouses and Google has a satellite view. Located on the north side of the entrance to a retirement community on the south side of Hastings River in Port Macquarie. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K2793.6.
* Tacking Point
1879 (James Barnet). Active; focal plane 34 m (111 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cement brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story service building. Entire lighthouse painted white. Wikipedia has a article with several photos including the one at right, Bill Strong has a similar 2008 photo, Trabas has Boucher's closeup photo, Marco Papiru has a 2017 street view, and Google has a satellite view. This is one of five small lighthouses built similar to the Fingal Head Light. The site is popular for surfing and whale watching, and there is a surf livesaving club just below the light station. In 2004 two panels of the lens were damaged by vandals. Vandals struck again in July 2005, leading to calls for better management of the light station property. A project in 2013 repaired the building and addressed erosion problems at the station. In 2014 Rotary Club members helped build a new walkway to improve access to the lighthouse, and in 2016 they added new interpretive signs at the foundation of the former keeper's house. Located on a spectacular rocky headland about 5 km (3 mi) south of Port Macquarie. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. Operator: NSW Maritime Authority. Site manager: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. . ARLHS AUS-158; Admiralty K2788; NGA 6024.
Tacking Point Light
Tacking Point Light, Port Macquarie, March 2012
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Quartl

Mid-Coast Council Area Lighthouses
* Crowdy Head
1878 (James Barnet). Active; focal plane 61 m (201 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 10 s; red flashes are shown over reefs to the northeast. 7 m (24 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story service building. Entire lighthouse painted white. The 4th order Fresnel lens from this lighthouse was sold on eBay in 2002; it is now on display at the Sea Girt Light in New Jersey, U.S.A. Wikipedia has an article with several photos, Tania De Klerk has a 2023 photo, Sandeep Punia has a 2021 photo, Ann Cameron has an excellent photo, Trabas has Boucher's closeup photo, Sean Hopkins has a 2017 photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. One of five small lighthouses built similar to the Fingal Head Light; it is identical to the Tacking Head lighthouse pictured above. Located on a headland about 6 km (4 mi) northeast of Harrington. Parking provided. Site open, tower closed. Operator: AMSA. Site manager: DNR. . ARLHS AUS-062; Admiralty K2784; NGA 6028.
* Sugarloaf Point (Seal Rocks)
1875 (James Barnet). Active; focal plane 79 m (258 ft); white flash every 7.5 s; a continuous red light (focal plane 73 m (240 ft)) is shown over rocks to the south. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical brick tower with lantern, gallery, and external spiral stairway. 1st order Chance Brothers lens in use. Entire lighthouse painted white. Two 1-story keeper's houses. For many years one of the houses was occupied by resident caretaker Mark Sheriff but in 2006-07 the houses were renovated for a new use as overnight accommodations for tourists. A 2022 photo is at right, Wikipedia has an article with current and historic photos, Brent Ellis has a 2021 photo, Gregg Farebrother has a photo, Sam Mavin has a closeup photo, Trabas has Eckhard Meyer's closeup photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This handsome tower was the first of the many lighthouses designed by James Barnet. Located on the point, a prominent cape about 3 km (2 mi) southeast of the village of Seal Rocks (unpaved road). Parking provided. Site open, tower closed but a lookout provides great views. Operator: AMSA. Site manager: DNR (Myall Lakes National Park). . ARLHS AUS-155; Admiralty K2776; NGA 6048.

Port Stephens Council Area Lighthouses
*** Nelson Head Inner (2)
1876 (station established 1872). Inactive since 2003. There's no tower; the light was shown through a window of a 3 m (10 ft) frame lantern room attached at one corner of a 1-story wood keeper's house. Building painted yellow. Matthews has a 2008 photo of this unusual lighthouse, a 2021 photo is available, Grant Maizels also has a photo, and Google has a 2020 street view and a satellite view. The building is a maritime museum; an adjacent building houses a tearoom. Both buildings have a spectacular view across the mouth of Port Stephens, a large sheltered harbor. Since 1986 the Nelson Head Lighthouse and Rescue Station Trust has supported preservation of the station. The light was moved outside the lantern in 1995 and then discontinued in 2003. Located on a headland just northeast of the town of Nelson Bay. Site and lighthouse open daily. Owner/site manager: Port Stephens Council (Nelson Head Heritage Light House Cottage and Reserve). ARLHS AUS-116; ex-Admiralty K2771; ex-NGA 6056.

Sugarloaf Point Light, Seal Rocks, Novenber 2022
Instagram photo by grabyourcameraau
Point Stephens (Port Stephens)
1862 (Alexander Dawson). Active; focal plane 38 m (126 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 21 m (70 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The original lantern was replaced with a smaller fiberglass lantern when the light was automated in 1973. Caretakers lived at the station until 1991; the keeper's houses were burned by vandals within months after the keepers were withdrawn. The light was converted to solar power in 1990. A 2021 photo is at right, Wikipedia has an article with several photos, Brett Matthews has an excellent photo, Zhan Meijing has a closeup, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on an island south of the entrance to Port Stephens. Generally accessible only by boat, although it is possible to reach the island (a tombolo) over a narrow sandbar at low tide. Site open, tower closed. Operator: NSW Maritime Authority. Site manager: NSW National Parks (Tomaree National Park). . ARLHS AUS-138; Admiralty K2770; NGA 6052.

Newcastle City Lighthouses
Newcastle is the second largest city of New South Wales with a population of about 400,000. Its port is the largest coal exporting harbor in the world.

* Newcastle North Breakwater (Stockton Range Front)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12.5 m (41 ft); green light, 2 s on, 1 s off. 6 m (20 ft) square wood skeletal tower carrying an orange triangular daymark. Trabas has Boucher's closeup photo, Dave Williams has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. This is an approach range for Newcastle. Located near the end of the north breakwater at the mouth of the Hunter River, the harbor of Newcastle. Accessible by walking or biking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K2732; NGA 6068.
* [Stockton Range Rear]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 29 m (95 ft); continuous green light. Approx. 25 m (82 ft) steel mast. Trabas has Boucher's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located in the Stockton Beach Holiday Park 980 m (0.6 mi) west of the front light. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K2732.1; NGA 6069.
* Port Waratah
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 64 m (210 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 60 m (197 ft) triangular steel skeletal tower. Google has a street view and a satellite view. The light guides vessels up the Hunter River to the Kooragang Island dock area of Newcastle. Located on the waterfront off Cormorant Road. Site status unknown, but the light is easily seen from the road. Admiralty K2760; NGA 6125.

Point Stephens Light, Port Stephens, November 2021
Google Maps photo by Gordon
[Dyke Point (Newcastle Approach Range Rear)]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24.5 m (90 ft); continuous green light. 24 m (79 ft) steel mast carrying a long orange daymark. Trabas has Boucher's photo, Peter Johnson has a view from the harbor, and Google has a satellite view. This is an inner approach range for Newcastle. The front light is on a similar mast 15 m (49 ft) tall. Located on Dyke Point on the west side of the sharp bend in the Hunter River known as The Horseshoe. Site status unknown. Admiralty K2729.1; NGA 6092.
* [Throsby Leading Light]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction; lights are continuous white on the leading line, flashing alternately white and red or white and green just off the leading line, and continuous red or green farther off the leading line; also a red flash every 3 s as a passing light. 32 m (105 ft) steel mast. Google has street view and a satellite view. The light guides vessels into the Newcastle docks. Located on the Lee Wharf. Site status unknown, but the light is easily seen from Hannell Street in Newcastle. Admiralty K2757.5; NGA 6097.
Main Bar (Entrance Channel) Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); continuous white light. Approx. 48 m (157 ft) square skeletal tower carrying a long orange daymark. Trabas has Boucher's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This is the entrance range for Newcastle. There are three front range lights, all on 12 m (39 ft) masts, on the Hunter River waterfront. Located behind the Tower Cinemas in downtown Newcastle. Site status unknown. Admiralty K2740.1; NGA 6080.
* Newcastle Approach
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); continuous red light. Approx. 50 m (164 ft) parking deck topped by a rectangular skeletal tower. Trabas has Boucher's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on Watt Street near Church Street in downtown Newcastle. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K2727; NGA 6063.
** Nobby's Head (2)
1854 (station established 1821). Active; focal plane 35 m (115) ft; three white flashes every 20 s, the first two separated by 3 s and the third following after 8.5 s. 10 m (32 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Three 1-story keeper's houses, 3-story signal station, and other buildings. Fog siren (blast every 20 s). The entire station is floodlit at night. Trabas has Boucher's photo (seen at right), Jeremy Dawes has a closeup photo, Brett Dickson has a photo of the lighthouse in action, Wikimedia has Stuart Grout's photo, David Hilbig has a 2021 photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Wikipedia has an article including a 1902 photo, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse stands on the former Coal Island, which has been reduced in height and joined to the mainland by a causeway. The Newcastle Port Corporation decided to develop the site as a tourist attraction; in 2003 they selected the Nobbys Lighthouse Consortium to build a café and renovate the keeper's houses for overnight accommodations. The plan for this development was approved late in 2004 and in March 2005 the Consortium presented a development application to the Newcastle Council. In early 2008, however, the plan was vetoed by the federal Department of the Environment, Heritage, and the Arts. In late 2010 the state Land and Property Management Authority took control of the station and announced plans to open it to the public. The first open house dates were announced in February 2011 and a regular schedule of openings began in October. In February 2017 the lighthouse received a $500,000 grant as part of a $1.5 million plan to develop the light station with a restaurant and conference facilities. Accessible by a hike of about 800 m (1/2 mi) from the Nobby's Beach carpark. Located atop Nobby's Head, a huge rock on the south side of the entrance to Newcastle Harbour. Site open every Sunday; tower open for occasional guided tours. Operator/site manager: Property and Development NSW (Nobby's Head Lighthouse). . ARLHS AUS-118; Admiralty K2728; NGA 6064.
* Newcastle Breakwall (South Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (45 ft); white or red light depending on direction, 2 s on, 1 s off. 8 m (26 ft) square wood skeletal tower carrying a red square daymark. Trabas has Boucher's closeup photo, Michael Jadezak has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. Located near the end of the main (south) breakwater at the mouth of the Hunter River. Accessible by walking or biking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K2730; NGA 6072.

Nobby's Head Light, Newcastle
photo copyright Michael Boucher; used by permission

Lake Macquarie City Lighthouse
Swansea Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 11 m (36 ft); light characteristic unknown. Approx. 11 m (36 ft) square skeletal tower carrying a rectangular daymark colored red with a white vertical stripe. Trabas has Boucher's photo and Bing has a satellite view. This is the entrance range for Swansea and Lake Macquarie. Located on a reef in the center of the entrance. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K2724.1.

Central Coast Council Area Lighthouse
**** Norah Head
1903 (Charles Harding). Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); white flash every 15 s; for coastwise shipping a continuous red light (focal plane 39 m (128 ft)) is shown to the northeast and a continuous green light (focal plane 44 m (145 ft)) to the southwest. 27 m (90 ft) round concrete block tower attached to a 1-story concrete block keeper's house, all painted white. The 1st order bivalve Fresnel lens with the original rotating mechanism remains in use. Several 1-story assistant keeper's houses, one occupied by a resident keeper and two others available for overnight accommodations. Trabas has a great closeup photo by Boucher, Brian Yap has a good photo, Awn Muhammad has a 2022 photo, Wikipedia has an article with excellent photos including Yun Huang Yong's photo at right, Lighthouses of Australia also has a page for the lighthouse, and Google has a street view and a good satellite view. The Norah Head Reserve Lighthouse Trust works for the preservation and maintenance of the light station. In November 2003 the 100th anniversary of the station was celebrated. In 2020 geologists warned that erosion of the cliff face could eventually threaten the lighthouse. Grants from the state and Crown Lands supported restoration of the keeper's quarters in 2021 and will support adding a café, museum, and gift shop; planning for those facilities is underway. In 2023 Crown Lands assigned Reflections Holiday Parks as the manager for the lighthouse reserve. Located at the end of Bush Street, on a headland just southeast of Norahville, on the narrow strip of land separating Tuggerah Lake from the Pacific. Site open, parking provided; tours of the tower available daily around midday. Operator: AMSA. Site manager: DNR (Norah Head Reserve) and Reflections Holiday Parks. ARLHS AUS-119; Admiralty K2712; NGA 6152.

Northern Beaches Council Area Lighthouse
** Barrenjoey Head (2)
1881 (James Barnet) (station established 1868). Active; focal plane 113 m (371 ft); four white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 20 s. 20 m (64 ft) round sandstone tower with lantern and gallery attached to a 1-story sandstone keeper's house. Tower unpainted; lantern painted white. The original 2nd order Chance Brothers Fresnel lens remains in use. Jason Wong's photo is at the top of this page, Jean-Jacques Halans has a lovely photo, Trabas has Boucher's closeup, Wikipedia's article has an excellent photo, Matt Wan has a photo, and Google has a street view and a fine satellite view. This magnificent and well-preserved lighthouse also enjoys a spectacular view. In January 2004 NSW National Parks announced plans for a complete restoration of the station and improvements in facilities and interpretation. The completion of this work was celebrated on February 1, 2005. The park service has a web page for the lighthouse. In September 2013 firefighters were barely able to save the lighthouse from a raging bushfire; one of the outbuildings was damaged by the flames. In October 2014 a $3 million restoration plan was announced for the area; it included making the keeper's cottages available for overnight accommodations. The cottage renovations were deferred and are opposed by local residents. Located at the end of a long peninsula marking the south entrance to Barren Bay and Hawkesbury River. Parking is available (fee) but there's a steep climb on the 1.5 km (1 mi) trail to the lighthouse. Site open, tower open to guided tours on Sundays (reservations not required). Operator: AMSA. Site manager: NSW National Parks (Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park). . ARLHS AUS-005; Admiralty K2702; NGA 6156.
Norah Head Light
Norah Head Light, Norahville, September 2009
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Yun Huang Yong

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Southern Queensland | South: Southern New South Wales

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Posted April 2004; checked and revised February 1, 2024. Lighthouses: 24. Site copyright 2024 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.