POINT PERPENDICULAR LIGHTSTATION

Located on spectacular sandstone cliffs on the northern headland of Jervis Bay, Point Perpendicular and its lighthouse are one of Jervis Bay's most powerful and iconic landmarks, held in regard by the local community.

The entire Lightstation precinct is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List for its significant historic values as a relatively intact group of lighthouse buildings, keepers' quarters and associated infrastructure, important to Australia's cultural history, and reflecting the importance of navigational aids for coastal trade and shipping, and for the naval presence in Jervis Bay, which commenced in the 1890's.

In 1995, The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) handed over the management of the Point Perpendicular Lightstation to the Department of Defence, enabling the lighthouse and grounds to be managed as part of the Beecroft Weapons Range.

The lighthouse is located approxiamtely 10km from the Beecroft Weapons Range entrance gate, on Lighthouse Rd, Currarong NSW. Access is permitted to the lighthouse grounds during buisness hours seven days a week, subject to Defence range closures.

Public access into the lighthouse itself and the associated buildings in not currently available.

The sheer cliffs and splendid views from Point Perpendicular draw many visitors. The high vantage point (75 metres above sea level) offers great opportunities for Whale Watching over the winter months when Humpback Whales and Southern Right Whales may be seen on their annual migrations to and from their breeding grounds to the north.

The point Perpendicular Lightstation was designed by Charles Assinder Harding, architect of the Harbour and River Navigation Branch of the NSW Department of Public works, however the drawings and plans of the lightstation were signed by his superior, Chief Engineer, Cecil Darley.The lighthouse was constructed of pre-cast concrete blocks using aggregate of local stone. It was the first lighthouse constructed in NSW using this method.

The tender cost for construction of all the buildings and associated structures was £20, 280 17s.  The completed lighthouse included the lighthouse, head keeper's residence, duplex cottage for assisstance keepers, signal house, flagstaff, post office, stables and outbuildings, a jetty and a fuel store. Archarlogical remains of the former post office which was removed in the 1960's, the jetty which was replaced in 1982 and its storage shed which has been since removed are all aspects of the Lightstation Precinct as a whole.

The keeper's houses are solid, Victorian, single story dwellings low hipped roofs which were originally terracotta tiles, cast iron verandah colums and underground rainwater tanks.

The formal Victorian buildings and their spectacular setting atop the cliffs creates a dramatic contrast. Point Perpendicular has been the subject of artists since the 1860's and continues to be depicted in paintings and photographs.