Flagstaff Point (Wollongong Head) Lighthouse

Wollongong Harbour is the only point on the eastern coast of Australia which has two lighthouses.

Located on Flagstaff Point the newer lighthouse on Wollongong Head assists the passage of vessels into Port Kembla.

History

Completed in 1936, by the Department of Shipping and Transport, it was the first new lighthouse in New South Wales since 1903. The tower is constructed of reinforced concrete and replaced several earlier lights.

The structure cost £6,800 ($13,600) with plant and equipment £2,607 ($5,214).

It was the first fully automatic flashing light to be installed in New South Wales.

The original light apparatus was found to be faulty so a temporary acetylene gas light was employed until the replacement arrived in October 1938.

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

Title Address Description
Cape Baily
Cape Baily Track, Kurnell NSW 2231, Australia

Cape Baily

Flagstaff Point (Wollongong Head)
lot 2500, LOT 2 Endeavour Dr, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia

Flagstaff Point (Wollongong Head)

Wollongong Harbour
2 Endeavour Dr, Wollongong NSW 2500, Australia

Wollongong Harbour

Kiama
Blowhole Point Road, Kiama NSW 2533, Australia

Kiama

continued from above …

The light is bi-coloured. A white light of 4.5 second duration visible through 100 degrees, and a red Light visible through 80 degrees. This latter indicating reefs and headlands.

It was built to serve as a coastal light and particularly for ships entering Port Kembla, to the south of Flagstaff Point. Up until now the only aid had been the old Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse situated on the Belmore Basin to the north. The Breakwater light was discontinued in 1974.

Keepers

This light was never manned. When necessary it was attended to by the Harbour Master.

Technical Details

First Exhibited23rd July 1936
Current Tower1936
StatusActive
LocationLat. 34 25.3172' S Long. 150 54.5829' E
Original OpticChance Bros fixed 920mm
Relocated from Gabo Island, still in use
AutomatedDesigned as automatic
DemannedNever manned
ConstructionConcrete
Height25 m
Elevation40 m
Range17 NM
CharacterOcculting 6s, Flash 4.5s, Eclipse 1.5s
IntensityWhite 61,000 cd, Red: 12,800 cd
Light SourceSealite SL324 LED array
Power SourceMains Power with battery back up
OperatorAustralian Maritime Safety Authority
CustodianAustralian Maritime Safety Authority
NotesLight has two red sectors to indicate offshore hazards:
True Bearings: Red: 188 - 213 (025)
White: 213 - 312 (099)
From Seaward Red: 312 - 358 (046)
White: 358 - 008 (010)

  NB: Information is historical data and is not for navigational purposes.

Access

The lighthouse grounds are open at all times. There is no access to the tower.

Tours

No

Accommodation

No

Associated Lighthouses

Wollongong Harbour

Sources

  • Annette Flotwell for Photograph
  • Ian Clifford for Photographs
  • Rod Cairns for Photograph
  • Winsome Bonham for Photograph
  • AMSA
  • Brian Lord
  • White Towers – The Illawarra Lighthouses, A P Fleming, Illawarra Historical Society