Macquarie Lighthouse

1881/ 1932

1883 (station established 1818)

Australia

NSW Government

1st order

Revolving

Active

Group. Flashing. (2) 10 secs

26 metre white tower and lantern

Pedestal and clockwork drive.

There has been a navigational aid on this site since 1791 and a lighthouse since 1818. The site is the location of Australia’s first and longest operating navigational light.

A flagstaff was erected on this site at South Head in Sydney, in 1791, just a few years after the First Fleet arrived to settle New South Wales. A wood and coal fired beacon, a basket on a tripod, was established in 1793 and was the only guiding light for the next 25 years.

Construction of the first lighthouse structure in Australia was started in 1816 and completed in 1818. The work was undertaken by Francis Greenway, the famous convict Architect, responsible for many significant and beautiful buildings in early Sydney.

Governor Macquarie was so pleased with the quality of the work that Greenway was producing, he granted him emancipation for his efforts.

However, Greenway had warned that the poor quality of the sandstone being used would result in the rapid deterioration of the tower.

As Greenway had predicted the tower soon began to deteriorate. Several large stones fell away as early as 1823. Large iron bands were placed around the tower to prevent further movement.

The state of the tower was so parlous by 1878 coupled with a need to modernise the apparatus saw plans for a new tower prepared by Colonial Architect James Barnett.

The construction of the current Macquarie Lighthouse was begun in 1881 and the light was first exhibited on the 1st of June 1883.

James Barnet modelled his design on the original tower, but using stronger materials and design. Barnet’s crown was larger to accommodate a large lantern room and the 1st Order apparatus. There was also a gunmetal railing. This design was to become the trademark of many other lighthouses that Barnet designed.

The new light’s lens was a Chance Bros first order sixteen sided dioptric holophotal revolving white light based on the Fresnel system, about two metres in diameter showing an eight second flash every minute, and with a range of 25 nautical miles.

The lighting apparatus at the time was described by the builder, Chance Brothers, of Birmingham as the most efficient in the world. It was electric in operation, with the power being produced by two De Meritens magnetos weighing two and a half tons. These were driven by an eight-horse power “Crossley – otto cycle” silent horizontal coal gas engine at 830 rpm. Only one of the de Meritens generators is still in existence: it is owned by the Powerhouse Museum and on display at the Lighthouse.

The electric apparatus was only used in bad weather. When the weather got really bad the second magneto was brought into operation producing a light of 6,000,000 candelas, the most powerful in the world at the time. In clear weather the illuminate was provided by a gas burner.

With the commencement of the new light, the lantern was removed from the old tower but the structure itself was not demolished for several years.

The power generators for the new light proved too expensive to run and in 1912 the apparatus was was converted to a vaporised kerosene incandescent mantle system.

With the connection of the city power supply in 1933 the light was converted back to electricity. At this time a Chance Bros 4th order four panel dioptric lens was installed which remains in use today illuminated by an LED array.

The lighthouse was fully automated in 1976. The keepers were eventually withdrawn in 1989.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Sydney Harbour Trust

The lighthouse remains an active light and is in good condition.

Open

Closed

33° 51.2370'S, 151° 17.1111'E

1. https://lighthouses.org.au/nsw/macquarie-lighthouse/
2. https://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/en/see-and-do/visit/macquarie-lightstation/
3. https://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/nsws.htm

ARLHS AUS-218; Admiralty K2632; NGA 6316.