Flagstaff Point Lighthouse (Wollongong Head)

March 16, 2024
Jesse James
Uncategorized

About Flagstaff Point Lighthouse (Wollongong Head)

Wollongong Harbour is the sole location on the east coast of Australia that features two lighthouses. Flagstaff Point lighthouse is the more recent lighthouse at Wollongong Head aids ships entering Port Kembla.

Constructed in 1936 by the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service, this was the initial new lighthouse in New South Wales since 1903. The tower is made of reinforced concrete and includes the lantern, which was designed to accommodate the 1863 first-order Chance Brothers fixed lens retrieved from Gabo Island after it was changed to a rotating optic during Gabo’s shift to electric operation in 1935. The total cost of the project was £6,800 ($13,600), with an additional £2,607 ($5,214) spent on plant and equipment.

What to do at Flagstaff Point Lighthouse (Wollongong Head)

Because of years of neglect, the wrought iron plates, railing, and footing had deteriorated significantly, leading to discussions of demolishing the lighthouse in the 1970s. However, the Wollongong community insisted on preserving it. The lighthouse has retained its original design, consisting of three levels with wooden floors, each level connected by wooden ladders. The external ladder from the ground to the second-floor entrance was taken out during the restoration in 2000.

A full restoration project began in 2000 and upon completion, the lighthouse was displayed for the first time in 18 years in March 2002 to coincide with the IALA Conference in Sydney and the Lighthouses of Australia Annual Dinner in Wollongong.

Ian Clifford, the president of LOA, played a role as a technical advisor in the restoration process, which included bringing the equipment back to working condition. A historically accurate flashing pattern was established to allow the light to be operational during special events like the International Lighthouse and Lightships weekend in August each year. Lighthouses of Australia takes care of the equipment so that it can be showcased as a functioning part of our heritage.