Norah Head Light
Norah Head Light, 2009
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 New South Wales
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| Location |
Norah Head New South Wales Australia |
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| Coordinates | 33°16′54.01″S 151°34′34.95″E / 33.2816694°S 151.5763750°ECoordinates: 33°16′54.01″S 151°34′34.95″E / 33.2816694°S 151.5763750°E |
| Year first constructed | 1903 |
| Construction | concrete blocks |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower attached to 1-story keeper's house |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, lantern and building |
| Height | 90 ft (27.5 m) |
| Focal height | white: 151 ft (46 m) red: 128 ft (39 m) green : 144 ft (44 m) |
| Original lens | 1st order bivalve Chance Bros. dioptric Fresnel lens |
| Light source | mains power |
| Intensity | 1,000,000 cd |
| Range | white: 26 nmi (48 km) red: 7 nmi (13 km) green:8 nmi (15 km) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 15s. F R (to northeast) F G (to southwest) |
| Admiralty number | K2712 |
| NGA number | 111-6152 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-119 |
| Managing agent | Australian Maritime Safety Authority |
Norah Head Light is an active lighthouse located at Norah Head, a headland on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia, close to Toukley. It is the last lighthouse of the James Barnet style to be built, and the last staffed lighthouse constructed in New South Wales.
Officially displayed for the first time in 1903, the original vapourized kerosene burner was upgraded in 1923, electrified in 1961 and automated and demanned in 1994, after more than 90 years of being staffed. It celebrated its centenary in 2003.
The concrete block tower is 27.5 metres (90 ft) high, topped by a bluestone gallery. On top of the gallery is the original Chance Bros. lantern. This lantern holds the original housing of the Chance Bros. 1st order bivalve dioptric Fresnel lens. Other important structures include the chief lightkeeper's cottage and assistant keeper's duplex, and a flag house.
Calls for construction of a lighthouse at Norah Head (then "Bungaree Noragh Point") were made as early as 1861 due to many wrecks occurring in the area. A notable supporter in the end of the 19th century was local landholder Edward Hargraves from Noraville. However, these efforts were fruitless for many years. The first formal recommendation to construct the lighthouse was made by the Newcastle Marine Board, just prior to its abolition, in 1897.
The lighthouse was designed in a style similar to the style of James Barnet, by his successor Charles Assinder Harding, who also designed Cape Byron Light and Point Perpendicular Light. It is the last to be designed in this style.
Construction commenced in 1901, undertaken by day labour. Materials were brought by boat and unloaded on a wharf constructed at Cabbage Tree Harbour for that purpose. It was officially lit on 15 November 1903, two years after Cape Byron Light. The first keepers were N. H. Williams as chief keeper, with N. Hanson and S. Kells as assistant keepers.
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