The Tacking Point lighthouse and its site is of cultural and natural heritage significance at State level as part of a group of five North Coast lighthouses. It is important that not only the Lighthouse structure, but the site as a whole, be retained and conserved.
The lighthouse at Tacking Point was constructed in 1879 to a design by prominent NSW Colonial Architect, James Barnet. The original design included not only the lighthouse structure itself (comprising tower, porch and service annexe), but also a lighthouse keeper’s cottage and ancillary storage sheds (cottage and sheds since demolished).
The function of this site as a navigational aid has been significant to mariners using the Hastings River and waters off of the east coast of Australia since 1879. It has been in continual use for this function for over 130 years, with a number of technological changes over that time. The form and fabric of the lighthouse structure, as well as the archaeological evidence of the original keeper’s cottage, are sufficiently intact to allow an understanding of the use of the site.
The site is also of high Aboriginal historical and contemporary cultural significance for the Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The lighthouse property, including the lighthouse structure, is currently managed by the NSW Department of Lands. The navigation responsibilities for the site (including lamp and electrical systems) are presently administered and serviced by the NSW Maritime Authority.