Tacking Point Lighthouse
Tacking Point Lighthouse, Lighthouse Rd, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia
Name and Location
Tacking Point Lighthouse is an active navigational aid and historic landmark located at Port Macquarie on the mid-North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Its address is 1 Lighthouse Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, and it can be found at coordinates 31°28′32″ S, 152°56′14″ E.
Construction and History
Tacking Point Lighthouse was completed in 1879 and officially opened on March 1 of that year. The lighthouse was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and built during a construction period from 1878 to 1879. It is the third-oldest lighthouse in New South Wales and played an important role in improving safety along the treacherous Hastings River bar and coastal shipping routes.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse tower is approximately 17 meters (56 feet) tall from base to lantern gallery, with a focal height of 34 meters (112 feet) above sea level. The tower is constructed of brick with stucco render and has a white painted finish. The original dioptric apparatus has been replaced by a modern optic.
Light and Navigation
The lighthouse emits a group of four white flashes every 20 seconds, with a nominal range of 16 nautical miles. The light source is electrically powered, and the lighthouse was automated in the 1920s. The Admiralty K number is 2788, and it is referenced as NGA Pub. 111.
Accessibility and Visiting
The grounds are open daily and free to visit, with well-marked walking paths and picnic areas available. However, the tower interior is closed to the public. Visitors can access the lighthouse by driving to Tacking Point Reserve and then taking a 200-meter cliff-top walking track to viewing platforms.
Notable Views and Landscape
The best times for viewing are during sunrise for eastward views and late afternoon for sunsets over the hinterland. The surrounding area features coastal walking trails linking to Lighthouse Beach and Flynns Beach, as well as picnic tables, interpretive signage, and a car park.
Anecdotes and Folklore
The lighthouse is named "Tacking Point" after early mariners who found the strong headland winds useful when tacking in sailing vessels. Rumors persist of ghostly figures of former lighthouse keepers seen at dusk.
Technical and Operational Details
For further information, please visit the Australian Maritime Safety Authority website (www.amsa.gov.au) or consult "Lighthouses of Australia" by A. & J. Henderson, Reed Books, 1992.
Further Information
- * Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacking_Point_Lighthouse
- * NSW State Heritage Register: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5051672
Details
Name | Tacking Point Lighthouse |
---|---|
City | Port Macquarie |
Country | Australia |
Coordinates | -31.4756057, 152.9372555 |
Year of construction | 1879 |
Historic significance | Third-oldest lighthouse in NSW, part of a network built to improve safety along the treacherous Hastings River bar and coastal shipping routes. |
Stories | Named “Tacking Point” by early mariners who found the strong headland winds useful when tacking in sailing vessels |
Architectural style | Typical late-Victorian cylindrical lighthouse tower in the Barnet idiom |
Architect | James Barnet |
Construction material | brick |
Focal height | 112 |
Tower height | 56 |
Access description | Drive to Tacking Point Reserve, then a 200 m cliff-top walking track to viewing platforms |
Accessible | true |
Parking | true |
Guided tours | false |
Facilities | Car park, picnic tables, interpretive signage |
Opening hours | {"grounds":"daily, free of charge","tower":"Closed to the public (no internal tours)"} |
Nearby attractions | Lighthouse Beach, Flynns Beach, Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Tacking Point Golf & Bowling Club, Historic Port Macquarie town centre with museums, cafés and river cruises |
Light characteristic | Fl(4) W 20 s |
Light range | 16 |
Automated | true |