Standing on a bald rocky headland with a precipitious cliff on the east side, and a sheer drop of approximately 100 metres, Cape Byron Lighthouse is the most easterly light in Australia, and one of the most powerful. Though it is one of, if not the most recognisable lighthouse in New South Wales, Cape Byron Lighthouse was not built for any of the normal reasons lighthouses are built - in response to shipwrecks in the area, or because the coast here is not visible to passing ships (at 100 metres, Cape Byron is in fact one of the highest headlands on this stretch of coast).
No reason was ever given for building it - perhaps the fact that Cape Byron is mainland Australia's most easterly point, or that the cliffs of the cape would tear apart any ship that came too close to it, was reason enough to build a lighthouse there, and justified the cost and effort put into building it, not to mention the fanfare that surrounded its opening.
Built in the style used by NSW colonial architect, James Barnet, Charles Harding his successor, prepared the plans for the Cape Byron Lighthouse. Due to the elevation of the site, a tall structure was not required. Construction began in 1899 with the levelling of the site by contractors, Mitchell and King. The total cost was ��10,042 (pounds) to the contractors, ��8,000 for the apparatus and lantern house, and ��2,600 for the road from Byron Bay township.
View from the top of the lighthouse
Due to the elevation of the site, a tall structure was not required. Construction began in 1899 with the levelling of the site by contractors, Mitchell and King. The total cost was ��10,042 (pounds) to the contractors, ��8,000 for the apparatus and lantern house, and ��2,600 for the road from Byron Bay township.
The installation of the lighthouse was regarded as a great event in the district of Byron Bay. A banquet was arranged and special trains carried visitors from Lismore and Murwillumbah for the opening. The Premier of the day, the Hon. John See (later Sir John See), was accompanied by a number of his colleagues who left Sydney in the Government steamer 'Victoria'. However, bad weather prevented the vessel from arriving on time, and when the party should have been banqueting the steamer was some thirty miles away. She arrived in the bay just before midnight on 30 November 1901, but again, the weather made it impossible for the party to land until dawn.
After landing, the party was informed that the banquet had taken place on the previous evening, and the necessary toast had been heartily drunk in the absence of the Premier and his party. Mr See, after making an acrobatic performance in landing, was cordially cheered, and later formally welcomed at the Great Northern Hotel. Interestingly, the lighthouse was christened with a rich and sumptuous vintage burgundy - not dashed against the tower to waste, but sipped by the ladies and legislators to compensate for having missed all the good things of the banquet held the night before.