In the late 18th Century, shipping between Sydney and Newcastle was perilous. Thick fog, fierce gales, jagged rocks and black-out conditions often encountered along the coast, claimed the lives of many seamen. The loss of the coal-carrier Esperanza in 1868, and the steamer Gwydir in 1884 hardened the resolve of maritime officials to construct a light at Norah Head.

The lightstation was officially designed by Charles Assinder Harding but credit for the architectural style was taken by James Barnet, regarded by some as the father of colonial architecture in NSW. Barnet designed the Sydney GPO and more than 1400 other public buildings in the Colony, but Norah Head was the last to be built in his classical style. Barnet modelled the lightstation on the first Macquarie Lighthouse at South Head, Sydney. He designed the building with the idea of using pre-cast concrete blocks made on-site and local aggregate. Hallmarks of his design can also be seen in the tiled floors, bluestone balcony and gunmetal railings.

The Lighthouse was opened on 15th November 1903. A vaporised kerosene burner and mantle illuminated the Norah Head beam from a focal plane of 46m above high water. The light emitted 118,000 candlepower and in clear weather it could be seen 18 nautical miles out to sea.

In 1910, the light was upgraded with a new Chance Bros. Mantle increasing it to 438,000 candle-power. The 700 millimetre focal radius floats in a bath of mercury to reduce friction during rotation. The light was upgraded in 1923, then again in 1961, when its kerosene burner was removed in favour of mains electricity. The original lens was retained but the power of the light was increased to 1,000,000 candlepower. The lantern is 369 centimetres in diameter.

In 1995, the lighthouse became fully automated and today's beam of light is provided by a 1000 watt, 120 volt tungsten halogen white light shining through a Fresnel classic, 2nd Order Di-optic prism with the Chance Bros. Apparatus producing a feu-'clair (lightning flash) of one fifth of a second and an eclipse (dark) of 14.95 seconds which can be seen 28 nautical miles, or 40 kilometres out to sea. A sighting of the light has been recorded from South Head (Macquarie Light), 70 kilometres away. The horizon is about 24 nautical miles.

Near the head, sea battles between the Japanese Navy and Merchant navy ships took place in World War II: Three ships were sunk, Nimbin (1052 tonnes) by a mine on 5 December 1940 and the fishing trawler Millimumul sank with the loss of one man on 26 March 1941 when it trawled up a mine as well as BHP's Iron Chieftain (4812 tonnes) by a submarine on 3 June 1942. The Age(4775 tonnes) was also attacked on 3 June 1942.

A Latin motto etched on the door glass at the entry to the tower means Once Perilous, Now Safe. The tower stands 27m high (it is one of the state's highest light stations) and there are 96 stairs to the top. The stairs are in 4 stages (the first 3 stages are the same grade and the last stage is a bit steeper and narrower). The building is made of pre-cast concrete blocks made on-site and local aggregate. The ground floor is tiled and there is a bluestone balcony and gunmetal railings.

The Norah Head tidal rock pool next to the Cabbage Tree harbour is a popular destination for families with young children due to its sheltered location.

Lighthouse tours

Step back in time to feel what it was like to be a Light Keeper at Norah Head Lighthouse. Climb the 96 stairs and enjoy the 360 degree views from the Tower's balcony. Marvel at the optics prism and imagine polishing the 700 lens of the prism. Learn about the duties of a lighthouse keeper. Learn how the light was originally operated, compared to how it works today. Hear the stories of shipwrecks in days gone by.

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.

Where Is it?

40 Bush Road, Norah Head NSW. Phone 1300 132 975.