The Norah Head light was built to a Colonial light house pattern. There are many similar to it around the coast of Australia. Construction commenced in 2001 with completion in 1903. Its 180,000 candle power was produced by a vaporised kerosene burner and mantle. The light stood 46 meters above high water and could be seen 18 nautical
miles to sea in clear weather. It was built as a result of a number of wrecks on the shoals around the headland.
The light went through a number of upgrades to the current mains power supply. It became fully automatic in 1995. Like many other light houses around the coast, the former keepers houses are available for holiday renting.