[2] Officially displayed for the first time in 1903, the original vaporized kerosene burner was upgraded in 1923, electrified in 1961 and automated and demanned in 1994, after more than 90 years of being staffed.

This lantern holds the original housing of the Chance Bros. 1st order bivalve dioptric Fresnel lens.

Other important structures include the chief lightkeeper's cottage and assistant keeper's duplex, and a flag house.

[3] Calls for construction of a lighthouse at Norah Head (then "Bungaree Noragh Point") were made as early as 1861 due to many wrecks occurring in the area.

The first formal recommendation to construct the lighthouse was made by the Newcastle Marine Board, just prior to its abolition,[2] in 1897.

Materials were brought by boat and unloaded on a wharf constructed at Cabbage Tree Harbour for that purpose.

[6] The cost of the tower and cottages was nearly £24,000, £19,000 for the construction of the tower and £5,000 for the optical apparatus,[1] a Chance Bros. 2nd order bivalve dioptric Fresnel lens[7] with 700 prisms[3] The original light source was a vaporized kerosene burner and mantle generating a light intensity of 438,000 cd, visible for 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi).

[6] The light revolved every 10 seconds, and was floating in a mercury bath of more than 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg) to lessen the friction.

[6] On 13 April 1923 the light source was upgraded to a Ford-Schmidt kerosene burner with an intensity of 700,000 candlepower.

[2] The current light source is a 1000 Watt 120 Volt tungsten-halogen lamp,[1] which flashes white every 15 seconds(Fl.W.

[2] The lantern room is atop this gallery, made of metal and glass, encircled and protected by perspex and aluminium panels.

It currently houses the electrical controls, including the sensors responsible for starting the light.

[2] The keeper's cottage includes an open verandah on three sides, with cast-iron posts and curved timber beams.

The flag house was constructed to match the lighthouse, from precast concrete blocks, rendered walls, with the same plinth and deep ashlar coursing.

[2] A stable was also constructed at the premises from the same concrete blocks with Marseilles pattern terracotta tiles.

[3] The light is operated by Transport for NSW,[12] while the lighthouse reserve is managed by the New South Wales Department of Lands since 1997.