LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

Step back in time to feel what it was like to be a Light Keeper at Norah Head Lighthouse. Climb the 96 stairs and enjoy the 360 degree views from the Tower's balcony. Marvel at the optics prism and imagine polishing the 700 lens of the prism. Learn about the duties of a lighthouse keeper. Learn how the light was originally operated, compared to how it works today. Find out about signalling with flags and what each flag represents. Hear the stories of shipwrecks in days gone by.

Click here for prices and tour times.

For more information on light keepers over the last century, see Lighthouse Keepers.

There are no public toilets on the grounds of the Lighthouse. Public toilets are available for use in the Reserve on Bush Street, before you enter the Lighthouse grounds.

LIGHTHOUSE VOLUNTEERS

Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Trust relies on a team of willing volunteers to assist with the administrative duties associated with running tours of the Tower. Anyone interested in volunteering can call in to the Lighthouse at the weekend and leave their details with one of the volunteers. They will be contacted by the Volunteer Supervisor to discuss ways in which they can assist. Many people have an interest in lighthouses and volunteering can be a great way of getting "up close and personal" with this historic landmark:

"Like many, my interest in lighthouses goes back to childhood beach holidays. Wherever we holidayed, we would always visit the nearest lighthouse as my father was a lover of all things nautical. In those days very few were open to the public, so we would peer through mesh fencing imagining the excitement of living and working on a Light Station. I grew up in England, and well remember holidays going to sleep listening to the illuminated bell buoy ringing in the Southampton shipping channel offshore from our beach house. Fog would often roll in and negate the usefulness of any light, hence the bell.

My father did his apprenticeship as a fitter and turner with Chance Brothers in England (manufacturers of lighthouse lanterns and lenses), so he had a great interest in the lantern room equipment, and when he did manage to have a chat with the lighthouse attendants it was usually regarding the engineering side of things. After immigrating to Australia we spent our holidays at Hat Head, and often visited Smokey Cape Light Station. In the early 1990's I read an article in the newspaper saying that Byron Bay lighthouse quarters were to be available for holiday rental. Bliss! I quickly booked a fortnight in Cottage 1 and started 14 years of magical holidays with my own lighthouse to "keep". The actual tower was not open to the public, but I quickly befriended the Coast Watch volunteers, who operated out of the office in the bottom of the tower, and entry was gained. Staying at Byron Bay Light Station was a bit like holidaying on a very scenic main road, as EVERYONE who visits Byron Bay also visits the lighthouse. It is a very busy place during the day, but come 5pm the gates are closed and locked and you have it all to yourself. The downside of Byron Bay lighthouse is the vehicle access, as having cars in the precinct is not an enhancing aspect.

In 1997 I took a month to ride my motorbike along the coast from Sydney to Adelaide, visiting and photographing as many lighthouses as I could. By that time there were a few towers open at various times, and I managed to inspect Cape Otway on a perfectly calm and sunny day. Two years ago I moved to Noraville, having worked on the Central Coast for 25 years. I finally had my own lighthouse! I can stand outside at home and see the Loom pass over my home. I immediately cancelled my Byron Bay ongoing booking. I visited and walked around the station, but it was not open to the public. Most weekends would find my family walking the loop through the bush, past the lighthouse and back along the beach to the café for coffee.

In January we noticed an advertisement in the local paper saying the tower would be open for tours, but I never saw the advertisement again so assumed it was a one off. Then the advertisement for tour volunteers appeared in a newsletter, and I knew this was for me. After a brief apprenticeship having the details of the tower and equipment explained, I started on the volunteer roster. So many visitors are amazed that it is open and run by volunteers. People are drawn to lighthouses for many reasons, not least because they are in top scenic spots, but also because they are a tangible link to a bygone era. Norah Head has to be the most perfectly situated Lighthouse, with such easy access for people without vehicle encroachment on the actual Light Station precinct. Volunteering is a pleasure - whale watching, boat watching, explaining the intricacies of the property to visitors. Why would you want to volunteer anywhere else?" Kate Baker, volunteer.