Nobbys Head Light facts for kids
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| Nobbys Head Light, 1902 | |
 Nobbys Lighthouse
Location in New South Wales
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| Location | Nobbys Head, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Coordinates | 32°55′6.86″S 151°47′54.27″E / 32.9185722°S 151.7984083°E |
| Year first constructed | 1821 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1858 (current) |
| Automated | 1935 |
| Construction | dressed sandstone |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and lantern |
| Height | 9.8 metres (32 ft) |
| Focal height | 35 metres (115 ft) |
| Intensity | 580,000 cd |
| Range | 24 nmi (44 km; 28 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (3) W 20s. |
| Fog signal | siren: 1 blast every 20s. |
| Admiralty number | K2728 |
| NGA number | 111-6064 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-118 |
Nobbys Head Light is an active lighthouse on Nobbys Head, a headland on the south side of the entrance to Newcastle Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. An image of the lighthouse is included in the Coat of Arms of the City of Newcastle.
The lighthouse is operated by the Newcastle Port Corporation. The headland is managed by the Land Property Management Authority and is open to the public Sundays from 10am to 4pm.
History
The first beacon in the area was an open coal fire set on Signal Head, with a range of 7 kilometres (4.3 mi; 3.8 nmi). This was changed in 1821 to a large metal device burning oil, which was visible for 12 kilometres (7.5 mi; 6.5 nmi), but shortly reverted to coal as the oil system was not reliable.
By 1846 Nobbys Head, originally a small islet more than 60 metres (200 ft) high, was connected to the mainland with a causeway. The island was reduced in height to improve the sailing conditions and to accommodate a lighthouse and signal station, built in 1858. The lighthouse was designed by Alexander Dawson, the New South Wales Government Architect. The original light had an intensity of 20,000 cd and was attended by three lighthouse keepers.
In 1934 the light was electrified and automated.
The current light source is an 120-electronvolt (19 aJ) 1,000-watt (1.3 hp), quartz halogen lamp and the power source is mains electricity with a diesel generator as backup. Currently at the site are three one-story keeper's houses, a three-story signal station, and other buildings housing the port watch. The entire station is floodlit at night.
Heritage listing
On 22 June 2004, the lighthouse and associated structures were registered on the Commonwealth Heritage List with the following statement of significance:
Nobby's Lighthouse, built in 1858, is significant as the earliest surviving example of a lighthouse in New South Wales. The lighthouse is used in the Coat of Arms for Newcastle City and is testimony to the social and historical attitude toward Nobby's Lighthouse held by the local community. (Criteria B.2, F.1 and G.1)
Nobby's Lighthouse is significant as an important element in the establishment of navigational aids along the New South Wales coast, which reflects the economic development of the surrounding region. (Criterion A.4)
The lighthouse is significant as the first example of the series of maritime lights installed in conformity with the Trinity House Codes, after the Commission of 1856 reported upon Australian lighthouse building and maintenance. (Criterion A.4)
On 21 October 1980, the lighthouse was listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate.
Gallery
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Nobbys Head, 2009
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Nobbys Head in 1887
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View of Nobbys Head from a distance
