Name and Location

Rosherville Lighthouse, also known as "2B / Rosherville", is a small harbour-entrance light marking the approach to Middle Harbour at The Spit, in the suburb of Mosman on Sydney's north shore. Its official address is 53B Parriwi Road, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia.

Construction and History

The lighthouse was first lit in 1911 as part of the early 20th-century expansion of Sydney Harbour aids to navigation. It was built to guide small craft and ferries through the narrow channel under The Spit Bridge and into Middle Harbour. The Port Authority of New South Wales (PA NSW) is the operator and managing authority.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a minor "light_major" tower, purpose-built as a beacon. Its construction materials include a concrete base with a steel-framed, cylindrical tower clad in sheet metal, painted white. The structure stands approximately 5 meters above ground, with a focal plane of 13 meters.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits a green light with a characteristic of one flash followed by two flashes every three seconds (Fl (1+2) G 3 s). Its nominal range is 12 nautical miles. The light relies on local chart plotting and GPS, with no AIS or radar installed.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse tower itself is closed to the public, but the site is visible from Parriwi Road and adjacent foreshore walking paths. Visitors can drive or take a bus to Parriwi Road, alight near The Spit Bridge, and walk to viewing points. There are informal car parking spaces on Parriwi Road and picnic spots on nearby rock platforms.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features rocky intertidal foreshore, native eucalypts, harbour tidal sands, and a backdrop of Middle Harbour and passing ferries. Nearby attractions include The Spit Bridge walkway and cycleway, Rosherville Reserve picnic and barbecue area, Mosman Marina and Clifton Gardens Reserve, and walking trails on Middle Head and Bradley's Head.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is fully automated since the mid-20th century, with no on-site keepers. Its chart coverage includes AUS 204 and AUS 208.

Further Information

For further reading, see United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's List of Lights, Radio Aids and Fog Signals (Pub. 111), Port Authority of New South Wales' Aids to Navigation maintenance reports, and Mosman Historical Society publications on early 20th-century harbour improvements.