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.

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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.