[4] The site was also strongly recommended by Joseph Brady, Queensland Engineer for Harbours and Rivers of the time, on a tour of inspection he did in 1865.

[6] An order for the prefabricated tower was placed with Kitson & Co. of Leeds, England, the design being done by William Pole of Kitson & Co.[4] The lantern and apparatus were ordered from Chance Brothers of Birmingham, England, and by 1867 all the materials have arrived at Brisbane.

[7] The materials from Brisbane and cement from Sydney were brought by ship, unloaded into barges, and then pulled by horses in trolleys on a 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) wooden rail, rising 50 metres (160 ft).

[6] In 1995, the lighthouse was converted to solar power and automated,[10] and the 4th order lens was replaced with a VRB-25 apparatus.

[5] The lighthouse has two entrances, one at the bottom and one about 3 metres (9.8 ft) above the ground,[11] accessible by an outside staircase supported on brackets.

[5] The bottom entrance provides access to the ground floor, where a display of various maritime artefacts resides, including the 4th order Chance Brothers lens.

[5] The lantern room is constructed of cast iron, topped by a domed roof clad with copper sheeting and painted bright red.

[5] A group of service buildings, including a powerhouse, a garage and bulk fuel store are located about 80 metres (260 ft) southeast of the lighthouse.

[5] The workshop, office and garage are timber-framed with painted fibre cement and cover battens, and were all built with the residences.

The more recent powerhouse and inflammable liquid store are constructed of bricks and have a concrete foundation, a hipped stainless steel roof, with central vent and metal door and window frames.

[7] Also on the premises is a small picket fenced cemetery to the south of the station, with several stone headstones.

The island can be reached by ferry from Hervey Bay or Inskip Point north of Rainbow Beach, or by chartered flight via Sunshine Coast Airport.