Name and Location

Perpendicular Point Light (also known as Point Perpendicular or simply Perpendicular Point) is a major coastal beacon located on the Beecroft Peninsula, Shoalhaven City Council, NSW 2540, Australia. It marks the southern entrance to Jervis Bay on the New South Wales south coast.

Construction and History

The original stone lighthouse was built in 1899 but deactivated in 1993. The current light sits on an open steel structure and is fully automated. Although sometimes grouped with the nearby historic tower, the modern light has no resident keepers.

Architecture and Materials

The Perpendicular Point Light stands at a height of 95 meters above mean sea level and features an open steel skeletal tower. The structure is painted white with red day-mark banding.

Light and Navigation

The light emits a flashing white every 10 seconds (Fl W 10 s) and has a range of approximately 35 kilometers. It can be seen from bearing 231° through 028° (clockwise). Additional aids include fixed red lights mounted on nearby radio masts, located about 5 meters southwest of the tower.

Accessibility and Visiting

The light station itself is fenced and not open to the public. However, there are best viewing spots along Lighthouse Road to the immediate north and on the coastal track. The sealed road (Lighthouse Road) leads from the Princes Highway through Beecroft Peninsula, ending at a small car park near the tower.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding area features rugged sandstone cliffs, native eucalypt bushland, and frequent whale-watching during migration season. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views across Jervis Bay and the Tasman Sea.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local folklore credits early keepers with rescuing shipwrecked sailors from 19th-century barques along this precipitous coast. This rich maritime heritage is reflected in the nearby historic tower, listed by the NSW Heritage Office and occasionally open on special-event days.

Technical and Operational Details

The Perpendicular Point Light was installed at an unspecified date but has been fully automated since commissioning. The power source is mains power with battery backup.

Further Information

For further information on this lighthouse, please visit the Australian Maritime Safety Authority – Aids to Navigation or Shoalhaven Tourism – Historic Lighthouses of Jervis Bay.