Crookhaven Heads Light facts for kids
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| Crookhaven Heads Light c. 1908 | |
 Crookhaven Heads Light
Location in New South Wales
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| Location | Nowra New South Wales Australia |
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| Coordinates | 34°53′56.84″S 150°46′12.8″E / 34.8991222°S 150.770222°E |
| Year first constructed | 1882 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1904 (current) |
| Construction | brick tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower attached to 1-story building and lantern removed in 2011 |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and building |
| Height | 23 feet (7.0 m) |
| Focal height | 72 feet (22 m) |
| Intensity | 200 cd |
| Range | 8 nautical miles (15 km) |
| Characteristic | quick-flashing white light |
| Admiralty number | K2594 |
| NGA number | 111-6500 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-061 |
The Crookhaven Heads Light is an important lighthouse located at Crookhaven Heads. This is a headland on the south side of the entrance to the Shoalhaven River in New South Wales, Australia. It helps guide ships safely into the river channel. Sadly, this lighthouse is in poor condition due to damage. Some people think it is the most endangered lighthouse in New South Wales.
Contents
History of the Crookhaven Heads Light
Early Lights and Stations
The very first light near this area was a simple red lantern. It was placed on top of a ship's masthead, held up by two poles. This basic light was at the river entrance starting in 1872.
A proper lighthouse station was built in 1882. It had a timber (wooden) tower. This station was part of the Shoalhaven Signal Station. It was about 200 meters west of where the current lighthouse stands. Thomas Bishop was the first person to operate this light. The light itself was a brass lantern.
The Current Lighthouse is Built
The lighthouse you see today was finished in 1904. The old wooden lighthouse was taken down right away. The new lighthouse used a special lantern from another old lighthouse. This lantern came from the former Cape St George Lighthouse. That lighthouse had been replaced by the Point Perpendicular Light in 1899. When the new lighthouse was built, the station's name changed to Crookhaven Heads.
Later, in the late 20th century, the lighthouse's power source was updated. It started using solar power, which is energy from the sun.
Current Condition of the Lighthouse
Damage and Restoration Efforts
Today, the lighthouse is in very bad shape because of damage. Its doors have been broken and removed. The windows and the glass in the lantern room have been smashed. Also, trash has been left inside the building.
The lighthouse is quite isolated, which makes it easier for damage to happen. The area around it is also very overgrown. This means you cannot see the lighthouse from the nearby Culburra Beach village. This lack of visibility makes the problem worse.
In the 1990s, the lighthouse was repaired. Wire mesh was put around the lantern room to protect it. However, there was no plan to keep looking after it. Because of this, it was quickly damaged again. Even with the protective mesh, every piece of glass in the lantern was broken.
Steps to Protect the Site
One step taken later was to clear away the thick bushes. This made the lighthouse more visible. But without a lasting solution to protect the site, authorities were not keen to spend more money. In 2008, NSW Maritime reported spending $25,600 AUD. This money was used to install a separate light high up on the tower. This was done to help protect the lighthouse from further damage.
In July 2010, good news came for the lighthouse. Funds of $100,000 AUD were set aside for its restoration. This money came from the NSW Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly. The next step was to study what work was needed. This study was supposed to start in mid-July, with restoration work beginning by the end of August.
Discussions about the lighthouse continued. The Shoalhaven City Council and the local state MP, Shelley Hancock, met on September 23, 2013. Sadly, by April 2015, the lantern was completely missing from the lighthouse.
Lighthouse Structure
The lighthouse tower is built from bricks. It is connected to a one-story building that was used for services. Both the tower and the building are painted white. However, the paint is wearing away over time.
Who Manages the Lighthouse?
The light itself is managed by NSW Maritime. This group looks after maritime safety and services in New South Wales. The land where the lighthouse stands is owned and managed by the Land and Property Management Authority.
Visiting the Lighthouse
You can visit the Crookhaven Heads Light. It is a short walk through the bush from a parking area. This parking area is at the north end of Prince Edward Avenue in Culburra Beach. There are two paths to get to the lighthouse. One path is a short boardwalk. The other path goes to the left (west) via the beach. The grounds around the lighthouse are open for visitors. However, the tower itself is closed to the public.
Images for kids
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Crookhaven Heads Light in April 2015 - the lantern is completely missing, having been vandalised a number of times
