The original oil wick light was upgraded to kerosene in 1923, to electricity in 1963 and finally converted to solar power in 1993, when the station was demanned.

The need for lights in the Inner Passage inside the Great Barrier Reef arose with the development of ports in the north of Queensland such as Mackay in 1860 and Bowen in 1864.

While the recommendation was accepted for immediate action, the preparation of plans for the lighthouse was delayed from an unknown reason[8] and tenders were called in March 1877.

The lens was a Chance Brothers 3rd order (500 mm focal length) revolving dioptric supported by a roller bearing pedestal[3] and the characteristic mentioned was "attains its greatest brilliancy every minute", with visibility of 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi).

[14] As preparation for transferring the light from the Queensland Government to the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service, an evaluation was made by Commander Brewis in 1912, which recommended an upgrade of the light to incandescent mantle and a change of the characteristic to one flash every ten seconds, as well as the installation of a fog signal.

[15] The station was transferred to the Commonwealth in 1915, and it was only in 1923 that the recommendation was acted upon, and the light source was upgraded to vapourised kerosene with an intensity of 100,000 cd.

[15] In 1992 the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced its plans to automate the station, remove the light keepers, and transfer the island to the responsibility of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).

This prompted the foundation of the Low Isles Preservation Society, a community organization with the purpose of protecting the island and the lighthouse.

[16] The light was eventually converted to solar power in March 1993,[7] and as planned the station was demanned and the site was transferred to the QPWS.

[5] It is conical in shape, built of an internal timber frame, clad with galvanized iron plates riveted together, and painted white.

Sunlight is provided through portholes and access to the top floor is via a square timber staircase surrounding the central weight tube.

The station also includes a grave site, some tank, a landing for amphibious vehicles and some weather recording equipment.