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Cape Byron Lighthouse

Fl WR 15s🇦🇺New South Wales, AUOperational

Also known as: Byron Bay Lighthouse

Completed in 1901, this white lighthouse stands 118 meters tall. Its focal height is also 118 meters, and it emits a white light. The structure was designed by Charles Harding and Cecil W. Darley and constructed by Mitchell & King. This lighthouse is noted as Australia's most powerful. It now serves as a tourist attraction and interpretative center, housing a maritime museum and other facilities.

Why it matters: Cape Byron is the easternmost point of mainland Australia and the lighthouse is listed on the State Heritage Register.

Background
Cape Byron Light, also called Cape Byron Lightstation, is an active heritage-listed lighthouse and now interpretative centre, interpretative space, maritime museum, administration office, retail building, accommodation, tourist attraction and visitor attraction located at Cape Byron on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Charles Harding and Cecil W. Darley and built from 1899 to 1901 by Messrs Mitchell & King. It is also known as Cape Byron Lightstation (including moveable items), Byron Bay Lighthouse, Cape Byron Headland and Cape Byron Headland Reserve. The property is owned by NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. The lighthouse was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004; and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 February 2019. The lighthouse and surrounding buildings were added to the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate on 21 October 1980. Cape Byron Light is Australia's most powerful lighthouse, with a light intensity of 2,200,000 candelas. Cape Byron, the easternmost point of the mainland of Australia, is approximately three kilometres (2 mi) northeast of the town of Byron Bay.
Characteristic Signature
Fl WR 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
118m
Geographic Range
27NM
Year Built
1901
Heritage Status
Heritage Act — State Heritage Register
Open to public
attraction
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Tower Height
118m
Tower Color
white
City
New South Wales
Country
🇦🇺AU
Latitude
-28.6384°
Longitude
153.6357°
Admiralty No.
K2838
NGA No.
K 2838
Wikidata
Q1034294
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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How do mariners identify Cape Byron Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Byron displays the characteristic Fl WR 15s — 1 wr flash every 15 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Cape Byron Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Byron Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ballina at 14.3 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Chinderah (24.7 NM N), Tweed Heads South (28 NM N), GOLD COAST (38.4 NM NNW), SOUTHPORT QLD (44.2 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Byron Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape Byron Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Cape Byron Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Byron Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.