Built in 1878, North Reef Lighthouse was constructed to assist vessels traversing the Queensland coast to carry trade to the port of Brisbane. The lighthouse is notable for its heritage significance and was placed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004 for its association with the establishment of aids to navigation (AtoN) along the coast of Queensland following the separation of the State from New South Wales. The lighthouse is also notable for its rare design which included the keepers’ quarters at the base of the tower, in conjunction with being built on a coral reef. Furthermore, the lighthouse is also considered a structure of significant technical achievement due to the construction of a water tank below the residences.
Situated approximately 100 kilometres north-east of Gladstone, the lighthouse stands on North Reef, a small sand island within the Great Barrier Reef. Once a migratory sand bank entirely covered by water during high tide, sand accumulated around North Reef until a small, vegetated island formed. The lighthouse was designed by Colonial Architect F. D. G. Stanley, and construction of the lighthouse began in 1877. As a working AtoN, the lighthouse tower is operated and managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
The lighthouse was originally fitted with a 2nd Order rotating dioptric lens which was removed alongside the original lantern house in 1927. A Chance Bros. lantern house, 2nd Order lens and mercury pedestal were installed in its place. The Chance Bros. lens and mercury were later removed in 1976. A Vega Beacon was installed in the lantern room in 2005, and this operates on an automated mechanism as part of AMSA’s network of AtoN. The equipment is serviced by AMSA’s maintenance contractor who visits at least once per year. AMSA officers visit on an ad hoc basis for auditing, project and community liaison purposes.
AMSA lease the lighthouse and surrounding land from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). The lighthouse tower and the North Reef site in general are not open to the public.
This heritage management plan is concerned mainly with the lighthouse, but also addresses the management of the surrounding precinct and land. The plan is intended to guide AMSA’s decisions and actions. We have prepared this plan to integrate the heritage values of the lightstation in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Cth).
Being well built and generally well maintained, the lighthouse precinct is in relatively good, stable condition. The policies and management guidelines set out in this heritage management plan strive to ensure that the Commonwealth heritage values of North Reef Lighthouse are recognised, maintained, and preserved for future generations.