Point Stephens Lighthouse

The preservation of the Point Stephens Lighthouse and cottages has been a battle against bureaucracy, the elements and vandals.

History

The Point Stephens Lighthouse’s stone tower and lantern was constructed in 1862. It is painted white. It is located on either Fingal Head or Fingal Point depending on the state of the tide.

The original kerosene apparatus was set up so that it shone alternatively red (500 cd) and white (200 cd).

In 1922 this was upgraded to a revolving, Dalen light, power by pressurised acetylene gas through an incandescent. This gave a light of 20,000 cd.

In 1960 the light was upgraded to mains electricity.

The current lantern room appears to be from 1973.

The final conversion to solar power was made in 1989 which lead to the demanning of the light.

Ownership of the lighthouse and reserve has passed to the NSW Park and Wildlife Service.

continued below …

© All images are copyright of their respective photographers and are not to be used without permission.

Title Address Description
Sugarloaf Point
Seal Rocks Lighthouse Walk, Seal Rocks NSW 2423, AustraliaSugarloaf Point
Nelson Head
Darwin Dr, Nelson Bay NSW 2315, AustraliaNelson Head
Point Stephens
Lighthouse Trail, Fingal Bay NSW 2315, AustraliaPoint Stephens
Nobbys
41A Nobbys Road, Newcastle NSW 2300, AustraliaNobbys
continued from above …

Preservation Issues

The ownership of the reserve was handed over to the Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales in 1998.  The tower has had restoration work done completed in October 1998.  However, the keepers cottages burnt out by vandals after a previous restoration are in dire need of restoration with a management strategy to prevent further vandalism.

Keepers

We need your help in compiling a list of keepers for this lighthouse. If you have any information then send it to keeper@lighthouses.org.au.

Please include this lighthouse’s name, the keepers full name and what years they were keepers. Also include the same information for any other lights they were on.

Technical Details

First Exhibited1862
Permanent Tower
Current Tower
Status
LocationLat. 32° 44.9'S, Long. 152° 12.2'E
Original Optic
Current Optic
Automated
Demanned
Construction
Height21 m
Elevation38 m
Range17 NM
CharacterGrp. Fl (4) 30 secs.
Intensity40,700 cd
Light Source12V, 55 Watt, Quartz Halogen
Power SourceSolar Power
OperatorNSW Roads and Maritime Services
Custodian
Notes
  NB: Information is historical data and is not for navigational purposes.

Access

The reserve is 10 kilometres from the nearest town, Nelson Bay and though reachable by land, access is recommended by boat.  Even though there are no tours yet, there are no restrictions on access.

Site Access

The crossing of the bar to Fingal Island can be dangerous as this story shows.

Tours

No tours. National Parks provide some information

Accommodation

No

Museum

No

Associated Lighthouses

Nelson Head Inner Light

Sources

  • Dirk Selderyk
  • Roxford Bree
  • Brian Lord for Photographs
  • Cyril Curtain for Photographs
  • Grant Maizels for Photographs
  • Ian Clifford for Photographs
  • Winsome Bonham for Photographs
  • Dept of Transport (now AMSA)