The lighthouse was originally installed at the end of the breakwater in 1871, replacing an earlier wooden beacon.
It was manufactured by the Chance Brothers in Birmingham, England, a company that produced many lighthouse lenses and lanterns worldwide.
In 1974, its function was replaced by a modern automated light tower located on the headland of Flagstaff Hill.
The structure is considered a rare surviving example of a prefabricated cast-iron lighthouse in New South Wales.
The internal spiral staircase is intact but is not accessible to the public for safety reasons.
The breakwater upon which it stands is constructed from large basalt rocks intended to break the force of incoming swell.
The lighthouse is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register for its technical and historical significance.
The Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse, locally known as the Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse, is an inactive 19th-century beacon located at the end of the eastern breakwater in Wollongong Harbour. Constructed in 1871, it served as a primary navigational aid for ships entering the harbor until it was decommissioned in 1974. The structure is built from prefabricated cast-iron plates bolted together, a common construction technique for lighthouses in the Australian colonies during that era. It stands approximately 12 meters tall and has been preserved as a significant maritime heritage site. The lighthouse is situated on an artificial breakwater that protects the inner harbour from the Tasman Sea. It is managed by the Wollongong City Council and remains a prominent landmark visible from the surrounding foreshore. Access to the structure is provided via a pedestrian walkway along the breakwater wall.
From the start of the breakwater looking toward the lighthouse with the harbour and Flagstaff Hill in the background.
Wear wind-resistant clothing, as the exposed breakwater experiences strong sea breezes.
Stick to the paved central path; the surrounding large rocks are uneven and can be slippery when wet.
Visit during low tide to see the rock pools exposed along the harbour entrance.
Do not walk along the breakwater during high-swell warnings or heavy storms, as waves can overtop the wall.
Do not climb or attempt to scale the lighthouse structure or the surrounding breakwater rock wall.
