Macquarie Lighthouse
The Macquarie Lighthouse was the first, and is the longest serving, lighthouse site in Australia. It is located on the South Head at the entrance to Sydney Harbour. There has been a navigational aid on this site since 1791 and a lighthouse since 1818. The current lighthouse was completed in 1883.
History
In 1791 and within one year of the arrival of the First Fleet, a flagstaff was erected on the site. This was followed, in 1793, by a tripod mounted wood and coal fired beacon.
In 1818, the first lighthouse was completed on the site. This was built in sandstone by Francis Greenway a famous convict acrhitect, under the instructions of the then Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, after whom it was named. The soft sandstone proved short-lived, and by 1878 this lighthouse needed replacement. This new replacement was built 40 meters away ffrom the original structure. The style of this was neoclassical.
In 1883, the current Macquarie Lighthouse was opened. It was designed by James Barnet and is similar in design the original tower, albeit built in stronger materials.