The Green Cape Lighthouse was built in 1883 and was the first cast concrete lighthouse tower in Australia. At 29 metres it is the state's second tallest light. It is situated on a point of land projecting from Ben Boyd National Park. It is the southernmost lighthouse in New South Wales.
Designed by James Barnet, colonial architect for NSW 1865-90. Barnet played a major role in the construction of several other NSW lighthouses - his 'signature' features are the distinctive double-curved gunmetal handrail and the corbels that support the wide gallery, all of which are fashioned in bluestone. He was influenced by 'Classicism' and the Italian Renaissance period, which created an architectural style more European than English.
A first order, revolving dioptric holophotal Fresnel prism was installed, and a four-wick kerosene-burning lamp emitted a light with an intensity of 100,000 candlepower, which was visible for 19 nautical miles (35 km). The original character of the light was one flash every 50 seconds (a modern car headlight on full beam is about 80,000 candelas).
People can stay in the nearby beautiful keeper’s house, also designed by James Barnet, for a nominal fee.
