Norah Head

Norah Head Bungaree Noragh Point Central Coast, New South Wales
Norah Head lighthouse, located on the headland
Norah Head
Coordinates	33°16′57″S 151°34′27″E / 33.28250°S 151.57417°E / -33.28250; 151.57417
Population	1,149 (SAL 2021)[1]
Postcode(s)	2263
Elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Location	12 km (7 mi) NE of The Entrance 18 km (11 mi) E of Wyong 55 km (34 mi) SW of Newcastle 34 km (21 mi) NE of Gosford 112 km (70 mi) NNE of Sydney
LGA(s)	Central Coast Council
Parish	Wallarah
State electorate(s)	Wyong
Federal division(s)	Dobell
Suburbs around Norah Head: Noraville Noraville Pacific Ocean Noraville Norah Head Pacific Ocean Wyrrabalong National Park Magenta Pacific Ocean

Norah Head, originally known as Bungaree Noragh Point,^[2] is a headland and a coastal village in the Central Coast Council local government area on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Norah Head is known for its great surfing and clear beaches like Soldiers Beach near Wyrrabalong National Park and Pebbly Beach with Norah Head Rock Pool. The town is home to Norah Head Lighthouse with scenic views along the coast.^[3]

The Norah Head Lighthouse was the last significant lighthouse built in New South Wales, a 63-metre (207 ft) tower, completed in 1903 with monetary assistance from the Hargraves family of Noraville after considerable numbers of ships foundered on the coast near the headland. Originally it was powered by a kerosene concentric wick lamp and still today it features a second order bivalve Fresnel lens^[4] prism floating on a mercury bath. At first, the prism was rotated by descending weights, but the light was electrified in 1961 and fully automated in 1995. The light flashes once in 15 seconds, and is visible to 27 nautical miles (50 km), the focal plane is located at 46 metres (151 ft) AHD. For coastal shipping, two additional light signals are shown: a red light in the northeast sector, emitted from 39 metres (128 ft) above the sea and a green one towards southwest, emitted from 44 metres (144 ft); both are continuous. Norah Head Lighthouse is considered to be a popular venue for weddings.^[4]

The former lighthouse keepers cottage (Head Keeper's separate cottage and two assistants semi-detached quarters) are maintained, and two of these are available for rent.^[5]

Norah Head has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Bush Street: Norah Head Lightstation Precinct^[6]

Near the head, sea battles between the Japanese Navy and Merchant navy ships took place in World War II: Three ships were sunk, Nimbin, at 1,052 tonnes (1,035 long tons; 1,160 short tons), by a mine on 5 December 1940 and the fishing trawler Millimumul sank with the loss of seven men on 26 March 1941 when it trawled up a German mine laid by the mine ship Pinguin, as well as BHP Shipping's Iron Chieftain, at 4,812 tonnes (4,736 long tons; 5,304 short tons) by a submarine on 3 June 1942. The Age, at 4,775 tonnes (4,700 long tons; 5,264 short tons), was also attacked on the same day.

There are several unique landforms around the head. Immediately in front of the head there is a rock platform which was formed in the Permian to Triassic periods around 180 - 280 million years ago. In the platform there is a volcanic intrusion, a channel of darker rock running from one side of the platform to the other. The intrusion was created by waves quarrying a softer basalt lava flow out of the surrounding granite. The lava came from an ancient volcano, probably Mount Warrawolong to the west.^[7]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Norah Head.

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  Panoramic view
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  Wild waves happen often happen at Norah Head.
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  Merchant navy memorial
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  Beach off Norah Head
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  Rock platform off Norah Head
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  Looking back at the lighthouse from the rock platform
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  Fishing off Norah Head is a popular activity
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  Norah Head rockpool at high tide