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52-462: The Beecroft Peninsula encompasses an area of about 5250 hectares just south of the town of Currarong, about 200 kilometres south of Sydney. The historic Point Perpendicular Lighthouse , and its grounds, constructed in 1899 at Point Perpendicular , is the southern tip of the peninsula at the northern entrance to Jervis Bay. A large part of the Beecroft Peninsula, about 4200 hectares, is under

104-585: A point at the southern tip of the Beecroft Peninsula , in New South Wales , Australia . It marks the northern entrance to Jervis Bay . The historic lighthouse was active from 1889 to 1993 and is still present, though its future is unclear. It is believed to be the first lighthouse in New South Wales which was built of precast concrete blocks. The light was replaced in 1993 with a skeletal tower which

156-410: A ball and an art and photography competition on 15 October 1999. This was followed by on-site celebrations on 16 October, including tours, a naval display, a market day, children's activities and finally, the lighthouse was lit. The light remained lit between 6pm (which was the time of dusk, the light was set to switch itself automatically) and 11pm. The new light was shut down for the period. The light

208-564: A diverse range of vegetation, rare plant, bird and mammal species and sites of Aboriginal and historical significance, the Beecroft Peninsula was listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004, giving it protection by Federation environmental legislation. Its reservation as a firing range has meant that very little of the original vegetation in the area has been cleared and remains in relatively good condition, despite periodic localised short-term damage by military exercises, providing

260-430: A fully automated, solar powered lamp on top of a lattice skeletal tower. At that time the light was a 120 V, 1000 W quartz halogen lamp , visible to a range of 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) and the light characteristic was a group of three white flashes every twenty seconds (Gr(3) W 20s). The future of the lighthouse is unclear. Though it was agreed upon that access to the historic lighthouse would continue,

312-433: A hemispherical, conical or beaked operculum that is shorter than the floral cup . Flowering occurs from March to September and the flowers are white. The fruit is a woody oval, barrel-shaped or slightly urn-shaped capsule 9–14 mm (0.35–0.55 in) long and 8–13 mm (0.31–0.51 in) wide with the valves enclosed in the fruit. Corymbia citriodora and C. henryi are similar to C. maculata but have

364-583: A high number of flora and fauna species at the limit of their distribution. The vegetation on the Beecroft Peninsula is a complex mosaic of heathland, eucalypt forest, and rainforest, mangroves, saltmarsh and swamps. The most widespread vegetation community is heath and this area of heath is the largest remaining on the south coast of New South Wales. There are 573 plant species occurring in eight major and 27 minor vegetation types. Heathland dominated by heath banksia ( Banksia ericifolia ) and scrub she oak ( Allocasuarina distyla ) occurs over approximately 50% of

416-445: A more northerly distribution extending into Queensland. The adult leaves of C. citriodora are slightly narrower and those of C. henryii wider than those of C. maculata . Spotted gum was first formally described in 1844 by William Jackson Hooker in his book Icones Plantarum , and given the name Eucalyptus maculata . In 1995, Ken Hill and Lawrie Johnson changed the name to Corymbia maculata . The specific name maculata

468-671: A single site at the head of Plutus creek. Woodland communities dominated by bloodwood ( Corymbia maculata ), silvertop ash ( Eucalyptus sieberi ), coast tea-tree ( Leptospermum laevigatum ), Leptospermum trinervium and saw banksia ( Banksia serrata ) are associated with sand dunes. Swamp communities dominated by jointed twig-rush ( Baumea articulata ), swamp paper-bark ( Melaleuca ericifolia ) and common reed ( Phragmites australis ) occur in depressions adjacent to creeks. A small area of grey mangrove ( Avicennia marina ) occurs near Chinaman's beach. A sedgeland dominated by slender twine-rush ( Leptocarpus tenax ) and Ptilothirix deusta

520-518: A wide diversity of good quality habitat for native fauna. The land of the Beecroft Peninsula is managed by the Department of Defence's Shoalhaven Environment Team as of 2015. There is no current management plan for the area. The nationally critically endangered littoral rainforest community is found on the western side of the peninsula and is a remnant of coastal rainforests that were once extensive in southern Australia. It contains several species near

572-476: A year, in which access is limited. [REDACTED] Media related to Point Perpendicular Lighthouse at Wikimedia Commons Corymbia maculata Corymbia maculata , commonly known as spotted gum , is a species of medium-sized to tall tree that is endemic to eastern Australia. It has smooth, mottled bark, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds usually in groups of three, white flowers and urn-shaped or barrel-shaped fruit. Corymbia maculata

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624-433: Is a tree that typically grows to a height of 45–60 m (148–197 ft) and forms a lignotuber . It has smooth mottled pinkish grey or bluish grey, often dimpled bark that is shed in small, irregular flakes. Young plants and coppice regrowth have leaves that are glossy green, broadly egg-shaped to lance-shaped, 70–190 mm (2.8–7.5 in) long and 30–75 mm (1.2–3.0 in) wide and petiolate . Adult leaves are

676-532: Is active. Point Perpendicular Lighthouse was built to replace Cape St George Lighthouse which was inadequately located on the southern entrance to Jervis Bay, a fact which was apparent since its construction in 1860. Suggested places for replacing the light were on Bowen Island or Crocodile Head . Point Perpendicular was chosen in September 1883 by Colonial Architect James Barnet and Captain Francis Hixson of

728-429: Is circular, with an internal diameter of 11 feet 9 inches (3.58 m). It is 44 feet (13 m) to the balcony, divided into three stories by concrete floors paved with black and white tiles, staircases 3 feet (0.91 m) wide leading from one floor to the next, with a handrail of 2 inches (51 mm) heavy brass tubing. On top of the tower is a bluestone gallery and balcony with black railings. The tower

780-508: Is derived from the Latin maculatus , meaning 'spotted', referring to the spotted pattern on the bark. Corymbia maculata is a widespread species in open forest from near Bega and north along the coast of New South Wales to near Taree . There is a disjunct population near Orbost in Victoria. It often forms dense, pure stands in forest and often grows on moderately infertile soil. The species

832-473: Is naturalised in Western Australia and South Australia, and in areas of New South Wales and Victoria outside its natural range. The flowers of this species attract honeyeaters . Spotted gum is often used for planting in parks and as a street tree; however, its mature size makes it unsuitable for most home gardens. The timber of spotted gum is strong, and exploited in a range of construction uses. It

884-414: Is painted white with a blue trim on the bottom. Above the main door there is a glass window displaying a Waratah , the state flower of New South Wales, and the construction date. The tower is attached to a one-storey lighthouse keeper 's house made from the same concrete blocks, painted likewise white with a blue trim on the bottom. The keepers' residences are located about 70 feet (21 m) south of

936-415: Is restricted to the north western of the peninsula. The Beecroft Peninsula supports two plant species that are listed as vulnerable both nationally and in New South Wales, the coastal mint bush Prostanthera densa and the magenta lilly pilly ( Syzygium paniculatum ). Littoral rainforest is a nationally critically endangered ecological community. Twenty-three native mammal species have been recorded on

988-518: Is significant in the study of the latitudinal shift from sub-tropical to temperate forests. The littoral rainforest behind Long Beach is a well-preserved example of rainforest on sand – a rare vegetation type in New South Wales. Littoral rainforest is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, weed invasion, inappropriately placed paths and inappropriate fire regimes. Important management options include protecting and restoring remnants, relocating paths, removal of invasive weeds and hazard reduction burns in

1040-454: The Department of Defence , the agency governing the site, originally fenced it and access was limited. It is unclear what the exact restrictions are at this point. The structures on the location were put on sale, and the outcome of this is also unclear. The first keepers were William Parker as head keeper, with William Simpson and Arthur Bailey as assistant keepers. William Parker was previously

1092-737: The Jerrinja and Wreck Bay Village Aboriginal communities as part of their traditions. Their stories describe the movement of ancestral beings, including Bundoola , Spandula , the Bip Bip women and others, as they formed the landscape, people and the law. The Beecroft Hill area, the Devils Hole area, the Drum and Drumsticks area and the Duck Hole area form part of these stories while the southern part of Jervis Bay has strong cultural associations for women. The stories of

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1144-568: The Beecroft Peninsula was excluded from the transfer. It remains a part of New South Wales. Most of the remaining land on the peninsula has subsequently been purchased by the Commonwealth to be used by the Royal Australian Navy . Because of the association with the nearby Jervis Bay territory and because it is occupied by the Navy, there is sometimes the mistaken belief that the southern strip of

1196-428: The Beecroft Peninsula. The non-flying mammalian community is relatively impoverished in diversity and includes the brown antechinus ( Antechinus stuartii ), bush rat ( Rattus fuscipes ), the common ringtailed possum ( Pseudocheirus peregrinus ), the brushtail possum ( Trichosurus vulpecula ), long-nosed bandicoot ( Parameles nasuta ), the sugar glider ( Petaurus breviceps ), the eastern grey kangaroo ( Macropus giganteus ),

1248-461: The Beecroft population had grown to 94 birds. The eastern bristlebird recovery plan identifies habitat fragmentation, widespread and frequent fires and predation as threatening processes and appropriate fire management of habitat, feral predator control, controlling invasive weeds as very high priority. The eastern ground parrot is a distinctive, bright grass-green, long-tailed, ground-dwelling parrot of

1300-521: The Drum and Drumsticks. The western coast dips gently into the bay with several low cliffs and sandy beaches. The peninsula is connected to the mainland at its northern end by the Carama Isthmus, a sand swamp, which is 211 m wide, at its narrowest width, at low-water mark. Beecroft Peninsula occurs near the southern boundary of the Hawkesbury Sandstone geological unit. Accordingly, the place has

1352-510: The Marine Board. The plans for the lighthouse were signed on 18 March 1897. The lighthouse was designed by James Barnet 's successor, Charles Assinder Harding, who also later designed Cape Byron Light and Norah Head Light , in a style similar to Barnet's. Tenders were called on 15 April 1897, and by September 1897 construction has started. Most of the materials were landed at Bindijine Wharf, about 8.0 kilometres (5 mi) northwest, which

1404-528: The activities of ancestral beings create links with neighbouring regions and Aboriginal people with traditional links to the area say that Jervis Bay is the birthplace of the thirteen tribes of the south. There are a large numbers of middens mainly located near the beaches on the southern and western sides of the Peninsular that contain evidence of past patterns of Aboriginal exploitation of marine resources. Other sites providing evidence of past Aboriginal activity in

1456-685: The administration of the Australian Defence Force for use as a live-firing range called the Beecroft Weapon Range . Access to this weapons range is restricted to the public at certain times. The whole peninsula is within New South Wales in the state electorate of South Coast, the NSW local government City of Shoalhaven and the federal electorate of Gilmore. The ownership of crown land (which, in Australia refers to all government-owned land) on

1508-407: The area include rockshelters with occupation debris, artefact scatters, grinding grooves, ceremonial grounds and rock shelters with paintings and stencils on the walls. 35°02′37″S 150°48′19″E  /  35.04349°S 150.80521°E  / -35.04349; 150.80521 Point Perpendicular Light Point Perpendicular Light is a lighthouse located on Point Perpendicular ,

1560-402: The coastal and sub-coastal heaths, reaching 30 cm long. It is a rare and iconic endemic of coastal and sub-coastal heathlands in southern Australia including the Beecroft Peninsula where there is an estimated maximum population size of 450 individuals. A long-term study of ground parrot habitat found that the species occurs in long-unburnt habitat and that fire should not be used to manipulate

1612-454: The death adder ( Acathophis antarcticus ), which may be declining in southern NSW. The common scaly-foot ( Pygopus lepidopodus ), a legless lizard, occurs on the peninsula, this species is recognised as the most primitive of the legless lizards and has strong Gondwanic associations. Twelve species of amphibian have been recorded from streams and swampy areas. In recognition of its outstanding natural, cultural and historic values which encompasses

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1664-472: The eastern bristlebird had not been recorded from the Beecroft Peninsula for over a century and re-establishment of extinct populations was identified as an important recovery action for the species. During 2003–2005, 45 birds were successfully translocated from the Bherwerre Peninsula, on the opposite side of Jervis Bay, to the Beecroft Peninsula. The reintroduction has shown medium-term success; in 2012

1716-502: The ecological functioning of habitat for the persistence of ground parrot population. Frequent and widespread fire had been identified as a threat to the eastern ground parrot and management recommendations include exclusion of fire for at least 7 years after a fire. Like most natural reserved land areas in Australia, the Beecroft Peninsula and its biodiversity are threatened by predation by introduced feral species and invasive plants. Five species of feral mammal have been recorded, including

1768-552: The fauna surveys after the commencement of fox control. A third species, the common ringtailed possum, showed a significant increase in abundance as a result of the fox control study. The brown antechinus, the black rat, the brushtailed possum and the sugar glider showed no significant change in abundance. This nine year fox control study on the Beecroft Peninsula provides compelling evidence that small to medium-sized "critical weight range" mammal populations have been driven to extinction or near extinction by fox predation and recover when

1820-514: The light keeper of Cape St George Lighthouse, and Arthur Bailey was the son of Edward Bailey, the late keeper of Cape St George Lighthouse. The last keeper was John Hampson. The light was relit twice to celebrate important occasions. The first occasion was the lighthouse centenary, which was on 1 May 1999, though celebrations were postponed until October 1999 to be incorporated in the Currarong Seafare Festival. Celebrations included

1872-463: The lighthouse. Originally each had an underground water tank of 6,500 imperial gallons (30,000 L; 7,800 US gal), kept filled by rain from the roofs. Also present is a structure originally serving as a two-stall stable and coach house, which was later used to house the generators. The light is operated by Australian Maritime Safety Authority . The site is operated by the Department of Defence , and used for gunnery practice about 100 days

1924-411: The long-nosed bandicoot, which had never previously been recorded from the Beecroft Peninsula, despite surveys. Remains of the bandicoot are however found in relatively recent Aboriginal middens. The long-nosed bandicoot not only appeared on the peninsula but increased significantly in abundance from the time it was first recorded in 2000. Similarly, the bush rat had also never been recorded and appeared in

1976-439: The ongoing predation pressure of foxes is removed. This conclusion is supported is further supported by the retention of most of original vegetation on the peninsula so historical mammal decline was not due to the common cause of habitat destruction . The eastern bristlebird is a nationally endangered small, brownish bird approximately 200 mm in length, cryptic and ground dwelling living in low dense vegetation cover. In 2000,

2028-425: The original light characteristic was a white flash every 20 seconds (Fl W 20s). The lens is still installed in the lighthouse. In 1909 the light source was first upgraded, to an intensity of 222,000 cd. It was further upgraded in 1923, to an intensity of 316,000 cd. In 1964 the light was electrified, 2 diesel engines serving as the power source. On 5 July 1993 the light was shut down and replaced with

2080-492: The peninsula and the major species are Senecia Madagascariensis , Protoaparagus aethiopucus and Kalanchoe tubiflora . Erosion is responsible to localised habitat degradation as there are many secondary vehicular tracks that have become severely eroded following major rains and side tracks have been created through heath communities in places where original roads have become impassable. Fire frequency, some of which are started by naval exercises, may adversely impact on some

2132-576: The peninsula is either a part of the ACT or a separate federal territory. The Beecroft Peninsula is the best example of a Permian cliffed coast in New South Wales. The peninsula is a remnant of a Permian sandstone and siltstone plateau, overlain with a patchy veneer of Tertiary and Quaternary sand and gravel deposits. The eastern coast consists of almost continuous cliffs, rising up to 91 metres at Point Perpendicular and erosion processes have created caves, blowholes, small peninsulas, clefts, arches, and stacks such as

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2184-747: The peninsula. Other heath communities dominated by narrow-leaved bottlebrush ( Callistemon linearis ) and Lepidosperma filiforme are restricted to the northwest. Shrubland communities are dominated by scrub she oak, heath banksia, tick bush ( Kunzea ambigua ) and Leptospermum epacridoideum . The regionally-uncommon "she oak shrubland" is widespread on the peninsula. Open forest communities dominated by several eucalypts, rough barked apple ( Angophora floribunda ), and black she oak ( Allocasuarina littoralis ) are restricted to deep soils in sheltered positions. There are three forest communities; littoral rainforest, swamp oak ( Casuarina glauca ) forest, and turpentine ( Syncarpia glomulifera ) forest restricted to

2236-429: The plants and animals. Archaeological evidence demonstrates that Aboriginal occupation of the Beecroft Peninsula extends back at least 7000 years. This undoubtedly underestimates the time that Aboriginal people have lived in the area because radiocarbon dates obtained from nearby coastal sites elsewhere in New South Wales demonstrate occupation back to 20 000 years. The Beecroft Peninsula is of particular significance to

2288-429: The red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ), feral cat ( Felis catus ), black rat ( Rattus rattus ), rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) and house mouse ( Mus domesticus ). Foxes are a significant threat to the peninsula's non-flying small mammal population. Low soil fertility on Beecroft Peninsula means that few weeds species can grow except in cleared areas and they do not usually enter undisturbed vegetation. There are 23 weed species on

2340-410: The red-necked wallaby ( M. rufogriseus ) and the swamp wallaby ( Wallabia bicolour ). There are eight species of bat including the vulnerable large footed myotis ( Myotis macropus ). One hundred and twenty-six bird species have been recorded, including 12 species of honeyeater, the endangered eastern bristlebird ( Dasyornis brachypterus ), the vulnerable ground parrot ( Pezoporus wallicus ), two pairs of

2392-543: The same shade of green on both sides, lance-shaped or curved, 80–210 mm (3.1–8.3 in) long and 12–30 mm (0.5–1.2 in) wide, tapering to a petiole 10–25 mm (0.4–1.0 in) long. The flower buds are arranged in leaf axils on a branched peduncle 3–20 mm (0.12–0.79 in) long, each branch of the peduncle with three, rarely seven, buds on pedicels 1–8 mm (0.04–0.31 in) long. Mature buds are oval to pear-shaped, 8–10 mm (0.31–0.39 in) long and 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) wide with

2444-541: The southern coast of the peninsula was transferred from New South Wales to the federal government in 1909 by the same Act of Parliament that transferred the ownership of the Jervis Bay Territory on the southern side of Jervis Bay. Then in 1915, the jurisdiction over Jervis Bay Territory was transferred to the Commonwealth to be administered by the Australian Capital Territory , but the region on

2496-435: The southern limit of their distribution; these include ribbonwood ( Euroschinus falcata var. falcata ), plum pine ( Podocarpus elatus ), coast canthium ( Canthium coprosmoides ), deciduous fig ( Ficus henneana ), flintwood ( Scolopia braunii ), celery wood ( Polyscias elegans ), and Cissus sterculiifolia . The rainforest also contains a mixture of sub-tropical and temperate rainforest species. As such, this community

2548-416: The vicinity of the forest area. There is no recovery plan for this community type. From 1993 to 2002 a study was conducted on the peninsula that measured the response of the small and medium-sized mammal populations to continuous fox control. The bottle-necked entrance to the otherwise ocean-ringed peninsula make for ideal geography for fox control. The most surprising result of the study was the appearance of

2600-531: The vulnerable powerful owl (Ninox strenua), and the vulnerable masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae). Thirty-five bird species are protected by international bird treaties (JAMBA, CAMBA, and the Bonn Convention) including the endangered pied oystercatcher ( Haematopus longirostris ) and the vulnerable sooty oystercatcher ( Haematopus fuliginosus ). Nineteen species of terrestrial reptile have been recorded, including six species of skink and six snake species, including

2652-453: Was constructed in 1898. Horse and cart were then used to transport them to the site. The light was first lit on 1 May 1899. The original light source was a vaporized kerosene lamp with an intensity of 100,000 cd and a visible range of around 33 kilometres (21 mi). The apparatus installed was a massive Chance Bros. 920 millimetres (36 in) three faceted 1st order Fresnel lens , weighing 33 tonnes (32 long tons; 36 short tons), and

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2704-491: Was re-lit once more on 20–21 August 2005 for the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend 2005. The tower is made from concrete blocks which were made on the ground, lifted into position, and then cement-rendered inside and outside, a technique which eases building as it does not require formworks or scaffolding . The block varied in size and shape, but were mostly 12 inches (300 mm) high. The tower

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