It is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and is classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).

In the mid-nineteenth century, there were few lights in the Tacking Point area and over 20 ships were wrecked.

The first occurred in December 1823 when the schooner Black Jack was wrecked on the Port Macquarie bar.

[5] The lighthouse was built of cement-rendered bricks and only needed to be 8 metres high due to the elevation of the site.

Management of the lighthouse is shared by three government authorities: the New South Wales Department of Lands owns the lighthouse; Transport for NSW operates the light;[7] and the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council manages the site.