The iconic Captain Cook Memorial and Lighthouse at Point Danger was officially reopened today following a $6.5 million refurbishment.
The ceremony saw dignitaries, Marine Rescue NSW volunteers, and project contractors in attendance.
Reopening of the Captain Cook Memorial and Lighthouse
Among those unveiling the commemorative plaque were City of Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry, Tweed MP Geoff Provest, and Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell.
The heritage-listed lighthouse, located on the NSW and Queensland border, underwent extensive upgrades to address structural issues and improve facilities.
Originally opened in 1971 to commemorate Captain James Cook’s 200th voyage anniversary, and later expanded in 1990 to house Marine Rescue NSW, the structure now features enhanced amenities and accessibility.
The upgrade, initiated in mid-2022, was funded through various sources:
- NSW Government’s Cross Border Commissioner’s Infrastructure Fund ($2,023,449)
- NSW Government’s Restart NSW Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund ($973,000)
- City of Gold Coast ($1,990,000)
- Tweed Shire Council ($1,514,000)
- NSW Office of Environment and Heritage ($50,000)
Marine Rescue NSW’s Point Danger Unit, which logged 27,763 river bar crossings and conducted 176 rescues between January 2023 and June 2024, benefits from state-of-the-art facilities.
Additionally, the site features cultural heritage elements by Bundjalung artists Christine and Kyle Slabb, telling the traditional story of Ngagambi – Black Dingo.
The new café, aptly named Black Dingo, opened in May and offers stunning views of the Tweed River and Gold Coast skyline.
The upgraded lighthouse now includes a ramp to the top viewing deck and accessible facilities, along with 13 new car parking spaces.
With these enhancements, the lighthouse stands ready to serve mariners and visitors for decades to come.
News and images source: Tweed Shire Council website
