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Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Lighthouse

F R 3s🇦🇺New South Wales, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Lighthouse

This white tower stands 32 meters tall, with its focal plane reaching 84 meters above sea level. First lit in 1884, it emits a red light that flashes once every 3 seconds. The lighthouse is situated on the eastern side of the Vaucluse Bay entrance. It operates as an active aid to navigation, guiding vessels into the bay. The light shines through a window as part of its design.

Why it matters: This lighthouse functions as the rear range light for Vaucluse Bay, aligning with the front light over a distance of 945 meters.

Background
Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Light is an active lighthouse located on the east side of the entrance to Vaucluse Bay in Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia. It serves as the rear range light companion to the Vaucluse Bay Range Front Light, into Vaucluse Bay. The distance between the two lights is 945 metres (3,100 ft). It is one of four lighthouses in a style sometimes called "Disney Castle", the others being Grotto Point Light, Parriwi Head Light and Vaucluse Bay Range Front Light. The light is shone through a window.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F R 3s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl.R. period 3s
Focal Height
84m
Geographic Range
5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1884

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
K2650.1
NGA No.
6204
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7917245 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
32m
Tower Color
white

Structure: White tower; 32

Location

City
New South Wales
Country
🇦🇺AU
Latitude
-33.8582°
Longitude
151.2729°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Lighthouse at night?+
Vaucluse Bay Range Rear displays the characteristic F R 3s — 1 red flash every 3 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is WATSONS BAY at 0.7 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Port Jackson (0.9 NM NW), ROSE BAY (0.9 NM SW), DOUBLE BAY (1.6 NM WSW), Balmain (1.6 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Vaucluse Bay Range Rear 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 Vaucluse Bay Range Rear Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Vaucluse Bay Range Rear 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.