Point Stephens Light

Point Stephens Light is a white tower standing roughly 21 meters above the water on a sand spit off the Fingal Bay coast. It features a flared base and first-floor entrance, typical design elements for lighthouses of its construction period.

Construction began in 1862 using sandstone blocks transported by ship from Sydney to improve maritime safety along the New South Wales coast. The project aimed to warn ships away from the shallow waters and reefs around Point Stephens.

The lighthouse and its associated buildings earned heritage recognition in 1999 for their architectural character and importance to regional maritime history. This status acknowledges how the site reflects the design standards and building practices of its era.

Access to the island is by boat tour or on foot across the sand spit during low tide. Checking tidal times before visiting is essential, as crossing becomes impossible at high tide.

The site contains the only example in Australia of Victorian Gothic keeper's cottages built as connected row houses. These three joined cottages represent a construction approach found nowhere else in the country.

Location: Fingal Bay

Location: Port Stephens Council

Inception: January 1, 1862

GPS coordinates: -32.74705,152.20138

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:48