The video narrated by Manaan Kar Ray recounts the origins and evolution of Tacking Point Lighthouse on New South Wales’ north coast. It begins with Matthew Flinders’ 1802 voyage, during which he tacked off the point that would later bear its name. As coastal settlement expanded in the 19th century, shipwrecks prompted the New South Wales Marine Board to mandate a chain of coastal lights, of which Tacking Point was one, designed by colonial architect James Barnet and built in 1879 by Shepherd and Mawcly. The lighthouse originally housed a 4th‑order kerosene lamp (≈1,000 candlepower, 12 nm range) and an adjoining keeper’s cottage. Technological upgrades followed: conversion to acetylene gas with automation in 1919 (candlepower raised to 1,500), removal of the cottage, electrification in 1972, and full automation in 1990, ending the resident keeper tradition. The narration also details the demanding life of lighthouse keepers—married men preferred, strict instructions to never let the light be compromised, duties including lamp maintenance, record‑keeping, and meteorological observations—highlighting the isolation and responsibility inherent in the role. Four of the five original Barnet‑designed north‑coast lighthouses remain operational, including Tacking Point.
Chapters
Matthew Flinders. set out from Port Jackson, Sydney, in December 1801 with orders to map the coastline of Australia in HMS Investigator. As Flinders travelled north, he passed the Three Brothers Mountains off Camden Haven, and on 24 July 1802, the Investigator tacked off this point, hence the name Tacking Point. Flinders was intrigued by the area and remarked in his diary, The projection of which we wore ship at dusk is somewhat At its northern part is a rocky lump of a sugarloaf shape, and beyond it the shore falls back and seems to be low. The water seems to be shoal in this bite, and there are some rocks above water in the southern part of it. The coasts for some distance to the northward of the Three Brothers having been passed by Captain Cook in the night, I wished. examine it closely, and for that reason we hauled to the wind instead of standing on all night. During the 1800s, the number of ships traveling through the area progressively increased as settlements spread further up the New South Wales coast. However, the coastline was a dangerous route and often deadly for traders and travelers. Following outcry at the appalling loss of life at sea, the New South Wales Marine Board issued a directive to illuminate the coastline like a street with lamps. This lighthouse is one of 5 along the northern New South Wales coastline designed by noted colonial architect James Barnett. The other 4 lighthouses are at Clarence Head, Fingal Head, Richmond Head, and Crowdy Head. 4 of these 5 original lighthouses, including Tackan Point, are still in use. Tackan Point Lighthouse was built in 1879. Construction by Sydney firm Shepherd and Mawcly cost £4,650. It follows the same design as Barnet's other north coast lighthouses, with an offset lighthouse tower supplemented by an adjoining annex for storage and shelter. The original lamp was a 4th order, cardiotropic, fixed 2-week kerosene oil burner of under 1,000 candlepower, capable of projecting to a visibility of 12 nautical miles, approximately 22 kilometers. The light was converted to acetylene gas in 1919 with automatic control and increased to 1,500 candlepower. The keeper's cottage was also removed as this conversion no longer required the constant attention of a lighthouse keeper. The lighthouse was converted to electricity in 1972. The keeper's cottage was built in 1879 at the same time as the lighthouse. Keeping the lights fueled through the night meant a lighthouse keeper typically had to live on site and As married men were preferred in an effort to negate the isolation, provision of a comfortable cottage was typically part of the keeper's remuneration. A chair will be allowed but no sofa on which to recline. These are the instructions to lightkeepers, and that was instruction number 49. The keeper's job was a demanding one, set against the backdrop that lives depended on the light. Guided by the Instructions to Lightkeepers Manual, the keeper's primary concern was the light. Instruction number 63 was they were not ever to prejudice the working of the light even in the event of a shipwreck. This stress was often exacerbated by the isolation of lighthouses. Tacking Point Lighthouse was seen as being very far out of the town up until the 1960s. In addition to maintaining the lamp, the keepers were also responsible for For maintaining shipping and accounts records and undertaking meteorological records every 3 hours. The lighthouse keeper's cottage at Tacking Point housed 7 lighthouse keepers and their families between 1879 and 1990, after which Tacking Point Lighthouse was converted to automatic and no longer required the constant maintenance of a keeper.
