NSW lighthouses

The lighthouses aid navigation, in conjunction with modern shipboard satellite navigation systems. There are 13 lighthouses on the NSW coast.

Listen

On this page

Historical context

Transport for NSW (Maritime) keeps the lights burning in 13 lighthouses along the coast, ensuring the safety of the seafaring community for many decades. Transport values both the heritage and valuable role of lighthouses and will continue to ensure they are operational in all conditions.

Most of the lights were transferred from the Commonwealth to Transport for NSW in 1997 and 2004 as advances in navigation technology (especially satellite) lessened the role of lighthouses in shipping safety. As the Commonwealth reduced its stake in lighthouses, Transport stepped in to preserve the unique heritage, tradition and basic safety function they continue to provide for the boating community.

Point Danger

The Captain Cook Memorial Lighthouse at Point Danger was built to commemorate the bicentennial of Captain Cook's voyage along the east coast of Australia.

Location – latitude: 28°10' S, longitude: 153°33' E
Height – 20 metres
Light range – 10 nautical miles
Year built – 1971

Point Danger lighthouse — *The Captain Cook Memorial Lighthouse*

Fingal Head

Even though the Fingal Head Lighthouse is neither tall or built on high headland, the light is effective because it's built on one of Australia's most easterly points, with plenty of deep water offshore.

Location – latitude: 28°12.2' S, longitude: 153°34.3' E
Height – 7 metres
Light range – white: 17 nautical miles, red: 14 nautical miles
Year built – 1872

Ballina Head

The Ballina Head Lighthouse was built in 1880, making it one of the oldest lighthouses in Australia. It is also known as the Richmond River Light.

Location – latitude: 28°52' S, longitude: 153°36' E
Height – 7 metres
Light range – 17 nautical miles
Year built – 1879

Evans Head

Evans Head Lighthouse stands on the headland east of the mouth of Evans River. It's fairly elevated and although it serves the purpose of a lighthouse, it's a fairly small structure.

Location – latitude: 29°07.2' S, longitude: 153°26.8' E
Height – 4 metres
Light range – white: 9 nautical miles, red: 7 nautical miles
Year built – 1975

Tacking Point

In 1879, a fixed catadioptic light of less than 1,000 candelas was erected on Tacking Point.

Location – latitude: 31°28.7 S, longitude: 152°56.2 E
Height – 8 metres
Light range – 16 nautical miles
Year built – 1879

Crowdy Head

The Crowdy Head Lighthouse was built in 1878, with a fixed catadioptic light of less than 1,000 candelas.

Location – latitude: 31°50.7' S, longitude: 152°45.3' E
Height – 7 metres
Light range – white: 16 nautical miles, red: 13 nautical miles
Year built – 1878

Point Stephens

The Point Stephens Lighthouse is located either on Fingal Point or Fingal Island, depending on whether it's a low or high tide.

Location – latitude: 32°44.9' S, longitude: 152°`11.2' E
Height – 21 metres
Light range – 17 nautical miles
Year built – 1862

Point Stephens Lighthouse with blue skies — *Point Stephens lighthouse*

Norah Head

The Norah Head Lighthouse has an unusual lens that rotates in an enclosed mercury bath.

Location – latitude: 33°16.9' S, longitude: 151°34.7' E
Height – 27 metres
Light range – 26 nautical miles
Year built – 1903

Barrenjoey Head

Built to help guide ships into Broken Bay, Barrenjoey Lighthouse is one of the few open to the public. The National Parks and Wildlife Service conducts tours of the lighthouse and its grounds.