Charles Point

Since settlement in 1870, the port at Darwin had always been difficult to navigate due to shallow waters, swift currents and many shoals, most of them uncharted.
The South Australian Government had been pressured for years to build a lighthouse by mariners and others, but was loath to spend money for the distant Northern Territory. Construction to the design of South Australian engineer-in-chief Alexander Moncrieff on the NT’s first lighthouse began in 1892 at Charles Point on the northern end of the Cox Peninsula, 21 kilometres from Darwin. The contract for the lantern and optic apparatus was awarded to Chance Bros with the contract for construction of the tower eventually awarded to Fulton & Co of Kilkenny, Adelaide.
The wrought iron tower consisted of a central tube, almost two metres in diameter, braced and strutted. A spiral staircase in the tube led to the lanternroom, where a Chance Brothers revolving first-order 16 panel dioptric lens using a 6 wick burner and 12 gallon lamp to provide the light source. The light began operating in 1893, showed a green, white and red light.
The focal plane was 26 metres above ground, and 36 metres above sea level, enabling the light to be seen for 32 kilometres, and from Darwin itself.
Lightkeepers cottages were also constructed, made of galvanised iron, with wooden floors and surrounded by verandahs to help with the heat.
The light was automated and demanned in November 1933. The light was deactivated in August 1970 with a light operating on a neaby radio mast replacing it. Following destruction of the radio mast and light in Cyclone Tracey in December 1974 the undamaged Charles Point light was recommissioned and remains an active solar power light.