Smoky Cape Lighthouse
Smoky Cape Lighthouse, near South West Rocks
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 New South Wales
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| Location |
Smoky Cape New South Wales Australia |
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| Coordinates | 30°55′23″S 153°05′15.73″E / 30.92306°S 153.0877028°ECoordinates: 30°55′23″S 153°05′15.73″E / 30.92306°S 153.0877028°E |
| Year first constructed | 1891 |
| Automated | 1988 |
| Construction | concrete tower |
| Tower shape | octagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern attached to 1-story building |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and building |
| Height | 17.4 metres (57 ft) |
| Focal height | 128 metres (420 ft) |
| Original lens | First order Fresnel lens |
| Light source | mains power |
| Intensity | 1,000,000 cd |
| Range | 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (3) W 20s. |
| Admiralty number | K2796 |
| NGA number | 6016 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-149 |
| Managing agent | Australian Maritime Safety Authority |
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Smoky Cape Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located on Smoky Cape, a headland east of the town of South West Rocks, New South Wales, Australia, and within the Hat Head National Park. It directs boats towards the entrance to the Macleay River, which is located just to the north of the lighthouse.
It is one of the last major lighthouse complexes designed by the New South Wales colonial architect of the time, James Barnet, and was one of Australia's last lighthouses to be designed for architectural excellence. Standing on a granite headland 140 metres (460 ft) above the sea, its light is the highest in New South Wales.
The lighthouse was first proposed in 1886 to ensure the safety of the increasing coastal traffic on the northern seaboard of New South Wales, and was completed in 1891. The contract to build it was won by William Frank Oakes but he died during construction and the work was completed by his executors. As a result of the Commonwealth Lighthouses Act of 1911, management of the lighthouse was transferred in 1915 to Federal control because of its status as a coastal light.
Since 1939, the lighthouse has been an Australian Bureau of Meteorology site for the gathering of climate statistics.
During the World War 2, the lighthouse precinct was used for military purposes. There was a searchlight battery and light gun emplacement, and possibly a radio room, operating there at that time. The concrete remains of the military installation are still visible.
In 1962 the light was electrified and around 1988 it was automated. The optic system is still the original first order Fresnel lens.
On May 14, 1998, Smoky Cape was the first NSW Parks and Wildlife Service lighthouse to be opened for tours.
The lighthouse's design is unusual for its octagonal tower, and was so designed because it was easier to cast the tower in the octagonal formwork than round formwork. It has a single story pavilion entrance, cast iron staircase and distinctive gunmetal balustrade. It is one of only three nineteenth century mass concrete lighthouses in NSW (the others being South Solitary Island Lighthouse and Green Cape Lighthouse). The fact that it has its original Chance Brothers revolving apparatus and lens, and lantern house, makes it an important example of late nineteenth century industrial maritime technology.
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Wikipedia