Norah Head Lighthouse

Norah Head Light, located on a headland of the same name, is the last lighthouse designed in the James Barnet style to be built.

It's also the final staffed lighthouse constructed in New South Wales. The historic site opened in 1903 and celebrated its centenary in 2003. Norah Head Light is situated near Toukely and sits on a strip of land that separates the sea from Tuggerah Lake.

As early as 1861, calls were made for a lighthouse to be constructed due to frequent shipwrecks in the area. One prominent advocate was Edward Hargraves from Noraville. In 1897, the Newcastle Marine Board recommended the construction of the lighthouse, which was designed by Charles Assinder Harding in a similar style to James Barnet, who created Cape Byron Light and Point Perpendicular Light. Construction began in 1901, and the first keepers were N. H. Williams as chief keeper, with N. Hanson and S. Kells as assistant keepers. The tower and cottages together cost nearly £24,000. The tower is made of concrete blocks and is 27.5 metres (90 ft) high, featuring a bluestone gallery topped off by the Chance Bros. lantern, which houses the original housing of the Chance Bros. 1st order bivalve dioptric Fresnel lens.

A must-visit feature is the entrance door made of cedar, set with sidelights and a fanlight. An etching on the doorglass reads "Olim Periculum Nunc Salus," translating to "Once Perilous, Now Safe." Upon entering the lighthouse, we can find