Port Macquarie was established in 1821 after John Oxley in October 1818 followed the Hastings River from the mountains and came across this idyllic port which he proclaimed to be a “paradise of great significance and potential”.
Port Macquarie was initially used as a place of secondary punishment, to receive convicts who had transgressed the law a second time after transportation to the Colony. Port's convict population peaked in 1825, but was then progressively run down until 1830 when the Hastings Valley was opened up to free settlement.
Tacking Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse was built in 1879 by Shepard and Mortley and was designed by James Barnet. It was the fourth lighthouse in a series of five small navigational lighthouse built to a Barnet design.
The lighthouse was a fixed white light exhibited from a brick tower and was replaced by an automatic group of flashing lights. The lighthouse keeper was withdrawn in 1919. Next to the lighthouse are the remains of the lighthouse keeper's cottage. Both buildings were constructed at a total cost of £4,650.
The lighthouse is classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).
Note: The cache has been placed approx 250 metres away from the lighthouse as there is already a cache at the lighthouse! However from the cache location there is a magnificent view up to the lighthouse and the beach is quite rugged there. Hope you enjoy.