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Norah Head Lighthouse

Fl WRG 15s🇦🇺New South Wales, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Norah Head Lighthouse

Also known as: Norah Head Light

This white concrete lighthouse, built in 1903, stands 90 meters tall with its light positioned 46 meters above sea level. The tower features a lantern and emits a white flash every 15 seconds, visible for 26 nautical miles. Originally powered by kerosene, the light was electrified in 1961 and later automated in 1994. The structure includes the original Chance Bros. lantern and a Fresnel lens.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is the last of the James Barnet style to be constructed and was the final staffed lighthouse built in New South Wales.

Background
Norah Head Light is an active lighthouse located at Norah Head, a headland on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia, close to Toukley. It is the last lighthouse of the James Barnet style to be built, and the last staffed lighthouse constructed in New South Wales. Officially displayed for the first time in 1903, the original vaporized kerosene burner was upgraded in 1923, electrified in 1961 and automated and demanned in 1994, after more than 90 years of being staffed. It celebrated its centenary in 2003. The concrete block tower is 27.5 metres (90 ft) high, topped by a bluestone gallery. On top of the gallery is the original Chance Bros. lantern. This lantern holds the original housing of the Chance Bros. 1st order bivalve dioptric Fresnel lens. Other important structures include the chief lightkeeper's cottage and assistant keeper's duplex, and a flag house.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl WRG 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WRG
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl.W. period 15s
Focal Height
46m
Geographic Range
26NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1903

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
K2712
NGA No.
6152
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7050210 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
90m
Tower Shape
lantern
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: White concrete tower, lantern; 89. F.R. 128 39

Location

City
New South Wales
Country
🇦🇺AU
Latitude
-33.2817°
Longitude
151.5763°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Norah Head Lighthouse at night?+
Norah Head displays the characteristic Fl WRG 15s — 1 wrg 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 wrg color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Norah Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Norah Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Berkeley Vale at 8.3 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Lisarow (12.2 NM WSW), Lake Macquarie (13 NM N), GOSFORD (14.9 NM SW), Toronto (17 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Norah Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Norah Head 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 Norah Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Norah Head 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.