Seal Rocks, New South Wales
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Seal Rocks () is a small coastal settlement in New South Wales, Australia, 275 km north of Sydney. It is famous for its many premier surfing beaches (including Lighthouse Beach, Treachery and Yagon), and also for being the home of Seal Rocks lighthouse, officially known as Sugarloaf Lighthouse.
[edit] Sugarloaf Lighthouse
The construction of Sugarloaf Lighthouse was completed in 1875, ten years after it was recommended a light be placed to highlight the treacherous Seal Rocks. It was originally intended to place the light on Seal Rocks but landing was difficult the proposition was abandoned.
The tower is constructed of brick, rendered and painted white. Also constructed were three adjoining cottages, various outbuildings, the construction of the road from Bungwahl, and a 460 metre (1500 foot) long jetty which was used to land some 1800 tons of building supplies and materials.
The light was upgraded in 1923 and was converted from kerosene to acetylene gas. Electricity was introduced in 1966 and the light was kept manned for many years despite automation in 1987.
One of Australia's biggest shipping disasters occurred off Sugarloaf Point;- the wreck of the Catterthun in 1895 when bound from Sydney to China with the loss of fifty five lives.
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