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Point Danger Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 10s🇦🇺New South Wales, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Point Danger Lighthouse

The Captain Cook Memorial Light at Point Danger is a white concrete tower, built in 1971. It measures 20 meters in height, with its light source positioned 44.5 meters above the sea. The light emits a pattern of two white flashes in a 10-second period, offering a navigational range of 11 nautical miles. Its light is shown over an arc from 170 to 330 degrees. The structure is located on a headland.

Why it matters: This navigation aid delineates the boundary between Queensland and New South Wales. It was the first lighthouse globally to experiment with laser technology for its illumination.

Background
Point Danger Light, also known as the Captain Cook Memorial Light, is an active lighthouse located on Point Danger, a headland between Coolangatta and Tweed Heads, marking the border between Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. It lays claim to be the first lighthouse in the world to experiment with laser as a light source.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl.(2)W. period 10s
Focal Height
44.5m
Geographic Range
11NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1971

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
K2845
NGA No.
K 2845
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q2100751 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
20m
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: White concrete tower; 66. Visible 170°-330°. Flood light

Location

City
New South Wales
Country
🇦🇺AU
Latitude
-28.1650°
Longitude
153.5507°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Point Danger Lighthouse at night?+
Point Danger displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 10s — 2 white flashes every 10 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.
Which ports and harbors does Point Danger Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Point Danger Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Tweed Heads South at 1.3 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Chinderah (4.1 NM S), GOLD COAST (11 NM NW), SOUTHPORT QLD (15.9 NM NNW), HOPE ISLAND (20.8 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Point Danger Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Point Danger 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 Point Danger Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Point Danger 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.