Tacking Point Lighthouse

Tacking Point Lighthouse

Tacking Point Lighthouse, 2012
Location	Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	31°28′32″S 152°56′14″E / 31.4755°S 152.9372°E / -31.4755; 152.9372Coordinates: 31°28′32″S 152°56′14″E / 31.4755°S 152.9372°E / -31.4755; 152.9372
Year first lit	1879
Automated	1919
Deactivated	No
Construction	Cement-rendered bricks
Markings / pattern	White tower with storeroom attached
Height	8 m (26 ft)[1]
Focal height	34 m (111 ft){{{focalheight}}}
Intensity	12,800 cd
Range	16 nmi (30 km; 18 mi)
Characteristic	Fl.(4)W. 20s
Admiralty number	K2788
NGA number	111-6024
ARLHS number	AUS-158

Tacking Point Lighthouse is Australia's third oldest lighthouse. It was built on a rocky headland about 8 kilometres south of Port Macquarie in 1879 by Shepherd and Mortley, to a design by the New South Wales Colonial Architect, James Barnet. It is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and is classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).

Tacking Point was named by explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802 during his 1802–1803 circumnavigation of Australia.^[2] Its nearest lighthouses are Smoky Cape Lighthouse at South West Rocks, to the north, and Crowdy Head Light, to the south.

History

Original plans by James Barnet, 1878

In the mid-nineteenth century, there were few lights in the Tacking Point area and over 20 ships were wrecked. The first wrecks occurred in 1823 and were the schooner Black Joe and the steamer Sumatra.^[3] Consequently, in 1879, a fixed catadioptric light of less than 1000 candelas was erected on Tacking Point. It was the fourth of five small navigational lighthouses built to a design by James Barnet.^[4] The other four lighthouses were Crowdy Head Light, Fingal Head Light, Richmond River Light and Clarence River Light (now demolished).^[5] Only two of these lighthouses, Tacking Point and Crowdy Head still have a storeroom attached.^[5]

The lighthouse was built of cement-rendered bricks and only needed to be 8 metres high due to the elevation of the site. In 1919, the light was converted from wick oil light to automatic acetylene operation, and was demanned in 1920.^[6] The light was converted to mains electricity in 1974.^[4] The foundations of the keeper's cottage are still visible.

Management of the lighthouse is shared by three government authorities: the New South Wales Department of Lands owns the lighthouse; Roads and Maritime Services (formerly NSW Maritime) operates the light;^[7] and the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council manages the site. Vandalism has been a problem in the early 2000s. Resolving the issue has been complicated by the split management.^[8]

Tourism

Tacking Point Lighthouse viewed from Miners Beach, 2008.

The Lighthouse headland marks the end of the circa 9 km Coastal Walk from Town Beach to Lighthouse Beach being built by the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. The lighthouse is also a popular site for whale watching.^[8] The area is used for surfing and there is a surf life-saving club at the neighbouring Lighthouse Beach.

Notes

References

v t e Lighthouses of New South Wales and Jervis Bay Territory North Coast Fingal Head Cape Byron Richmond River Clarence River North Solitary Island South Solitary Island Smoky Cape Tacking Point Crowdy Head Sugarloaf Point Nelson Head Point Stephens Nobbys Head Norah Head Outside Sydney Harbour Barranjoey Hornby Macquarie Cape Bailey Inside Sydney Harbour Grotto Point Bradleys Head Fort Denison Robertson Point Parriwi Head Eastern Channel Western Channel Vaucluse Bay - Front Vaucluse Bay - Rear Shark Island South Coast Wollongong Head Wollongong Breakwater Kiama Crookhaven Heads Point Perpendicular Cape St George Warden Head Burrewarra Point Montague Island Green Cape See also List of lighthouses and lightvessels in Australia