The iconic heritage-listed lighthouse at Point Danger stands ready to serve as a beacon to mariners for decades to come following an extensive $6.5 million upgrade to the aging structure.

Straddling the NSW and Queensland border, the refurbished Captain Cook Memorial and Lighthouse was officially opened in a ceremony today following extensive works to the 53-year-old facility.

First opened in April 1971 as a joint project between the City of Gold Coast, Tweed Shire Council, and the Australian Government to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Captain James Cook, the building was extended in 1990 to accommodate the volunteer Marine Rescue NSW service.

Work to upgrade the facility began in mid-2022 after concrete cancer was discovered in parts of the structure, with the new building designed to provide improved, more accessible amenities which make the most of the spectacular setting.

Funding for the $6.5 million refurbishment was jointly provided by:

• 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).

The upgraded facility boasts state-of-the-art new facilities for Marine Rescue NSW’s Point Danger Unit, which from January 2023 to June 2024 logged and monitored 27,763 crossings of the Tweed River bar and undertook 176 rescues, saving the lives of 318 people on the water.

Unveiling the plaque to mark the official opening of the upgraded lighthouse at Point Danger are from left, 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 site holds significant cultural heritage for the First Nations people of the region, with renowned local Bundjalung artists Christine Slabb and Kyle Slabb engaged to create Indigenous storyboards and artworks to tell the tale of Ngagambi – Black Dingo, the traditional name of Point Danger. Her artwork is now imbedded in the stone floors and walls of the lighthouse and inside the new café.

Aptly named Black Dingo in a nod to the Bundjalang story – the new café opened in May and is already proving popular with tourists with its spectacular views overlooking the Tweed River to the south and Gold Coast skyline to the north. It is open daily from 6 am to 3.30 pm.

The upgrade has made the structure more accessible to people with disability and includes a ramp to the top viewing deck and accessible ablutions. An additional 13 car parking spaces were created on the southern side of the lighthouse as part of the upgrade.

NSW Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said: “This is a great example of NSW and Queensland working together to deliver a significant result that nods to the history and important cultural significance of this site for our border communities.

“As well as playing a vital role to keep our communities safe, the site’s accessibility upgrades have ensured that even more people can explore this iconic lighthouse at Point Danger and behold the beautiful view over both sides of the border.”

Tweed MP Geoff Provest said: “The lighthouse is a popular tourism drawcard for the Tweed Heads-Coolangatta area and it is fantastic to see this upgrade completed and once again bustling with visitors following the devastating impact on the border region during COVID.

“The project has delivered substantial economic benefits, with more than 100 jobs created during the design and construction phase and more than 20 local residents already employed by the new Black Dingo Café.

“Significantly, this upgrade acknowledges the considerable cultural importance of this site for the Aboriginal people of the region, with artwork illustrating this significance imbedded in the stonework of the lighthouse as part of the upgrade.”

City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said: “From ancient times, this iconic location has been a place that people have come to for the spectacular views and stunning location.

“Over time it has become a beacon for people to gather at, on the border between our two great states.

“With this upgrade it now has a new lease of life and will continue to be a focal point for future generations, as well as it’s practical uses, including for the wonderful work of the Marine Rescue Unit. It is a great example of what can be achieved with cross border cooperation, long may she shine.”

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said: “The lighthouse at Point Danger stands as an iconic marker to warn of the dangers around the coastline and as the border between NSW and Queensland. We are grateful to the NSW Government and City of Gold Coast for their generous support in co-funding this upgrade and for the way we have been able to all work together to get a result for our border community.

“It is important we preserve this heritage site for the safety of mariners and to make it more accessible for all to use and enjoy the spectacular views.

“It is exciting to see this project completed and the lighthouse ready to stand the test of time for decades to come. Thank you to everyone who worked on this project to deliver this crucial facility.”

A volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW’s Point Danger Unit oversees the busy waterway below from the new state-of-the-art facility. The unit logged and monitored more than 27,760 crossings of the Tweed River bar and undertook 176 rescues in the 18 months to June 2024.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Alex Barrell said: “This upgraded facility is vital for Marine Rescue NSW operations in the area. The state-of-the-art communications equipment installed here is crucial for our mission of saving lives on the water while the designated search and rescue room provides an area for emergency services to coordinate multi-agency responses.

“The visibility from the radio room is crucial for our radio and watch officers to observe the Tweed River Bar and initiate search and rescue missions.

“The facility has again proven itself a lifesaving location. Since resuming operations here, a Marine Rescue Point Danger radio operator initiated an emergency response after observing a vessel, which had not logged on, overturn whilst attempting to cross back over the bar. Her awareness and rapid response led to a rescue mission being initiated and multiple lives being saved with the assistance of NSW Water Police.

“The Tweed River Bar is an extremely busy waterway, and we encourage all boaters to Log On with Marine Rescue NSW so our volunteers can keep watch for their safe return. Boaters can Log On via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16, it only takes a minute to protect a lifetime.”