2.1 Location
North Reef Lighthouse is located on North Reef, a small sand island within the southern perimeter of Great Barrier Reef. Situated off the coast of the State of Queensland approximately 100 kilometres north-east of the city of Gladstone, the lighthouse was originally constructed on a sand bank which would be completely surrounded by water during high tide. Over time, the sand bank transformed into a small vegetated sand island which is how it is found today.
Lighthouse coordinates: 23 11.1010'S, 151 54.1780'E
Figure 3. Location of North Reef Lighthouse along Australian coastline (Imagery © NASA, TerraMetrics. Map data ©2021 Google)
Figure 4. Location of North Reef within Great Barrier Reef (Imagery ©2021 NASA. Map Data @2021 Google)
Figure 5. Location of North Reef Lighthouse on sand island (Imagery ©2021 CNES/Airbus, Maxar Technologies. Map data ©2021 Google)
2.2 Setting and landscape
Originally built on a small sand bank which was covered by water during high tide, North Reef Lighthouse is now situated on a small sandy island. Changes to the bank were caused by the accumulation of sand over a long period of time, and vegetation developed gradually. A coral reef encircles the perimeter of the island.
Figure 6. View of North Reef Lighthouse and surrounding vegetation (©AMSA, 2020)
Fauna and flora
As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which encompasses North Reef, is home to a plethora of native species of invertebrate, animals and coral. Management of the marine park is administered under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth). For more information on the Great Barrier Reef environment and measures in place for protection of its ecosystem, please visit the GBRMPA website.5
Regarding North Reef, turtles are known to breed on the small sand island. Nests and tracks have been observed, and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) provide advice to AMSA and their chosen contractor on how to best avoid disturbance of the nests. Nesting seabirds have also been observed on the island between October and March, and the invasive African big-headed ant species has been located on-site.
2.3 Lease and ownership
AMSA lease the lighthouse and land from GBRMPA, the state body responsible for the Great Barrier Reef. The AMSA lease consists of two parcels of land:
- Lease J: Lighthouse tower, 256 meters-squared
- Lease K: 289 meters-squared
A site lease agreement commenced on 3 June 2003. The lease stipulates that AMSA must comply with any applicable management plan and State environmental laws.
Figure 7. Map of AMSA lease, North Reef, 2017 (Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community)
2.4 Access
North Reef Lighthouse can only be reached by boat. North Reef and the lighthouse are not currently open to the public, and access to the site and inside the tower are restricted to authorised personnel only.
Figure 8. Site access to North Reef (© AMSA, 2020)
2.5 Listings
North Reef Lighthouse is listed on the following heritage registers:
List | ID |
Commonwealth Heritage List | 1053686 |
Register of the National Estate | 164557 |
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Footnotes