Nobbys Head Light

Nobbys Head Light is an active lighthouse on Nobbys Head, a headland on the south side of the entrance to Newcastle Harbour, New South Wales, Australia.^[1][2][3][4] An image of the lighthouse is included in the coat of arms of the City of Newcastle.^[5]

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Nobbys Head Light, 1902
Location	Nobbys Head, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	32°55′6.86″S 151°47′54.27″E
Tower
Constructed	1821 (first)
Construction	dressed sandstone
Automated	1935
Height	9.8 metres (32 ft)[a]
Shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	white tower and lantern
Operator	Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Heritage	listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List
Fog signal	siren: 1 blast every 20s.
Light
First lit	1858 (current)[b]
Focal height	35 metres (115 ft)[c]
Intensity	580,000 cd
Range	24 nmi (44 km; 28 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (3) W 20s.
Commonwealth Heritage List
Official name	Nobbys Lighthouse
Type	Historic
Criteria	A.1, A.4, B.2, F.1, G.1
Designated	22 June 2004
Reference no.	105373

The lighthouse is operated by the Newcastle Port Corporation. The headland is managed by the Land Property Management Authority^[6] and is open to the public Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

History

The first beacon in the area was an open coal fire set on Signal Head, with a range of 7 kilometres (4.3 mi; 3.8 nmi). This was changed in 1821 to a large metal device burning oil, which was visible for 12 kilometres (7.5 mi; 6.5 nmi), but shortly reverted to coal as the oil system was not reliable.

By 1846 Nobbys Head, originally a small islet more than 60 metres (200 ft) high, was connected to the mainland with a causeway. The island was reduced in height to improve the sailing conditions and to accommodate a lighthouse and signal station, built in 1858. The lighthouse was designed by Alexander Dawson, the New South Wales Government Architect. The original light had an intensity of 20,000 cd and was attended by three lighthouse keepers.

In 1934 the light was electrified and automated.

The current light source is a 120-electronvolt (19 aJ) 1,000-watt (1.3 hp), quartz halogen lamp and the power source is mains electricity with a diesel generator as backup. Currently at the site are three one-story keeper's houses, a three-story signal station, and other buildings housing the port watch. The entire station is floodlit at night.

Heritage listing

On 22 June 2004, the lighthouse and associated structures were registered on the Commonwealth Heritage List.^[7] On 21 October 1980, the lighthouse was listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate.^[8]

Gallery

• 
  Nobbys Head, 2009
• 
  Nobbys Head in 1887
• 
  View of Nobbys Head from a distance

See also

• New South Wales portal
• Engineering portal

• List of lighthouses in Australia

Notes

1. According to List of Lights. "Lighthouses of Australia" says 35 metres (115 ft).^[1]
2. According to "Lighthouses of Australia". Directory of Lighthouses says 1854.^[2]
3. According to List of Lights. "Lighthouses of Australia" says 25 metres (82 ft).^[1]