Built in 1875, Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse was first lit that same year to assist vessels traversing waters near Seal Rocks, which was considered a ‘danger point’ along the coast. The lighthouse contributed to the ‘highway of lights’ designed by the colony authorities to illuminate the coast of New South Wales throughout the mid to late 19th century.
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse is notable for its heritage significance and was placed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004. As included within its listing, the lighthouse is recognised for its association with the development of navigational aids along the New South Wales coast during a period renowned for the expansion of the colony’s lighthouse network. Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse is notable for its rarity, due to its external stairway and original Chance Brothers optics, and its technical achievement with rendered brick shaft and bluestone gallery. The lighthouse is also significant for its aesthetic position on the headland, its social value, and its association with renowned Colonial Architect James Barnet.
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse is also listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register. As included within its listing, the lighthouse is recognised for its historical and associative significance, as well as for its social and aesthetic value. The lighthouse is also recognised for its rarity, research potential and representativeness.
Situated on Sugarloaf Point within the Myall Lakes National Park, the Lightstation stands in the estate of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS) approximately 285 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district. Originally operated and maintained by the state of New South Wales, the Commonwealth assumed responsibility for coastal lights, including Sugarloaf Point, in 1915. As a working marine aid to navigation (AtoN), the lighthouse tower is operated and managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). AMSA lease the lighthouse from NSW NPWS who manage the larger lightstation complex and surrounding land.
The lighthouse was originally fitted with a Chance Bros. optic which is still in service today. The light now runs on an automated mechanism as part of AMSA’s network of AtoN. The equipment is serviced by AMSA’s maintenance contractor who visits as least once per year. AMSA officers visit on an ad hoc basis for auditing, project and community liaison purposes.
This heritage management plan concerns the lighthouse, however it also addresses the management of the surrounding 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 Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse are recognised, maintained, and preserved for future generations.