Point Danger Light

Point Danger Light, also known as the Captain Cook Memorial Light, is an active lighthouse located on Point Danger, a headland between Coolangatta and Tweed Heads, marking the border between Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. It lays claim to be the first lighthouse in the world to experiment with laser as a light source.[4]

This article is about a lighthouse in Australia. For the lighthouse in South Africa, see Danger Point Lighthouse.

Point Danger Light
Point Danger Light
LocationPoint Danger
Queensland
Australia
Coordinates28°09′54.09″S 153°33′02.63″E
Tower
Constructed1971[1]
Constructionconcrete tower
Automated1971
Height67 feet (20 m)[2]
Shapefour rectangular pillars with a bronze sculpture suspended between them
Markingswhite columns, floodlit
Power sourcemains electricity Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorTransport for NSW
Light
Focal height146 feet (45 m)
Range11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi)[3]
CharacteristicFl (2) W  10s.

History

Point Danger Light was the third of a group of seven concrete towers erected between 1964 and 1979 in Queensland, in order of erection Cape Capricorn Light, New Caloundra Light, itself, New Burnett Heads Light, Fitzroy Island Light, Point Cartwright Light and Archer Point Light.[5] Constructed in 1971,[1] it commemorates the bicentennial of Captain Cook's first voyage, and specifically the voyage along the east coast of Australia in 1770.[6] It was first exhibited on 18 April 1971.[7]

The original light source was an experimental laser-based light,[7] and the lighthouse may very well be the first in the world to experiment with this light source. However, the experiment failed,[4] and the light source was replaced in 1975 by a regular electric lamp.[7]

Current display

The light characteristic shown is two white flashes every ten seconds (Fl.(2)W. 10s), visible at 170°-330°[8] for 11 nautical miles (20 km; 13 mi).[3] The light source is an electric lamp, fed by a battery float charged from the mains electricity.[4][7]

Structures

The lighthouse is constructed of four concrete columns, marked with the four cardinal directions, and a bronze sculpture hung between the columns.[9]

Also, near-by is a one-story building housing the Marine Rescue NSW Point Danger station.[9]

Site operation and visiting

The light is operated by Transport for NSW.[10] The site is accessible, but the tower is closed to the public.[9]

See also

Notes
  1. Rowlett, NSW Maritime. Searle states 1970.
  2. Searle and List of Lights. Rowlett states 66 feet (20 m).
  3. List of Lights. NSW Maritime states 10 nmi. Lighthouses of Australia Inc and Maizels 1998 list 18 nmi based on an AMSA plaque shown in Maizels 1998b.
  4. Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
  5. QHR31351.
  6. NSW Maritime.
  7. Maizels 1998b.
  8. List of Lights.
  9. Rowlett.
  10. NSW Maritime

References
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