Suggestions for a lighthouse near Coffs Harbour were made as early as 1856, with locations proposed on either North Solitary Island or South Solitary Island. It was the shipmasters' preference that set the location to be South Solitary. The lighthouse was designed by Colonial ArchitectJames Barnet, and it is one of three concrete lighthouses built during that period, the others being Smoky Cape Lighthouse and Green Cape Lighthouse. Barnet had visited the island in October 1877, to determine the best locations for the buildings and the sources for materials. Cement and sand for the construction were transported to the island at harsh conditions, while broken stone was quarried on the island itself. Timber came in small vessels from Bellingen. Though construction was expected to finish by 1879, as the carving "18VR79" on the keystone over the entry doorway suggests, it was first exhibited on 18 March 1880. The original lens was a Chance Brothers first-order dioptricFresnel lens, the second of its type to be used in Australia. It is now on display at the Coffs Harbour Regional Museum. The original light source was a kerosene burner, the first of its kind in New South Wales, rather than the colza oil ones used by other lighthouses of that period. As other lighthouses upgraded to kerosene, then to carbide lamps, and finally to electricity, South Solitary remained kerosene-operated until 1975, therefore also being the last to use kerosene in New South Wales. The light was displayed at a focal height of and was visible for. As of 1934, the intensity of the light was 205,000 candela and the light characteristic was one flash every 30 seconds. Conditions at the location were harsh due to both the island's isolation and to weather conditions. Originally supplies were sent from Sydney by steamer every fortnight, weather permitting. Later, they arrived more regularly by launch from Coffs Harbour. Due to the slopes, supplies were taken off the launch in a basket lowered by a crane, then hauled up a steep concrete path. The living quarters were lit by kerosene until the 1950s, and coal was used for heating and cooking. Communication with the mainland was originally by a signal lamp or heliograph. A pedal radio was installed in 1937, enabling communication with the Norah Head Lightstation. That was later replaced by a Bendix radio. Keepers children were taught at first by a governess, who was employed by the keepers, and later by correspondence. In May 1942, during the Second World War, the lighthouse was extinguished for the only time in its life, because several vessels were torpedoed by enemy submarines near the island. In 1974, the flagstaff was removed and a helipad was constructed. On 22 August 1975, the lighthouse was electrified, using solar power, and automated, and was officially de-manned on 28 December of that year. The lens was replaced with a modern one, and a workshop-designed fibreglass and aluminium lantern replaced the previous structure. The change lowered the focal height of the light to the current. The old lantern was transported to the Coffs Harbour Regional Museum with a RAAF Chinook helicopter on 7 September 1977. The lighthouse was converted to solar power in 1975.
The current light source is a solar powered, 12 V 3 amp lamp with an intensity of 38,000 candela. It displays a light characteristic of one white flash every five seconds and is visible for. The light is maintained by helicopter.
Structures
The lighthouse
The tower is from the ground to the lantern, made of mass concrete. Its external plan is round, a unique feature as the later two lighthouses of the same series, at Smoky Cape and Green Cape, used an octagonal profile. The internal well is in diameter. The walls taper from at the base to at the top. The tower is topped by a concrete oversailingcornice which is capped by the gallery itself, made of sixteen basalt blocks, each weighing, which were shipped from Melbourne. The gallery is surrounded by a gunmetal handrail. Three levels of cast iron stairs lead to the lantern room on top of the tower. Attached to the tower is a stores.
Other structure
The lighthouse keepers' residence consists of one chief keeper cottage and two semidetached assistant keeper cottages. They are made of mass concrete, rendered and painted. The residence is surrounded by high stone walls as protection from weather conditions. A high stone wall also runs from the houses to the lighthouse. There is also a room near the residence which served as a little schoolhouse, with a governess teaching the children of the keepers. Also at the premises are the remains of a above sea leveljetty, the third to be constructed. The first jetty was constructed in 1878 during the construction of the lighthouse, and was only high. It was destroyed in 1904 and a larger jetty was built. This second jetty was repaired and reconstructed multiple times, in 1913–1915 and 1932. Finally, the third jetty was built in 1959. The shore end of the jetty was demolished in 1986. the jetty still stands, though most of it has rusted and fallen into the sea. A small storehouse in poor shape stands next to the jetty. The storehouse is the oldest building on the island, being constructed in 1879–1880.
Site operation and visiting
The light is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, while the site is managed by the New South Wales Maritime Parks Authority as part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park. It is usually inaccessible to the public, though it can be seen by boat tours from Coffs Harbour. The island is open for tours two weekends every year. Travel is by helicopter only, and the tours are guided by National Parks and Wildlife rangers.
