Captain Cook Memorial lighthouse: Future of Point Danger landmark

The future of the concrete cancer-riddled Captain Cook lighthouse at Point Danger can be revealed, as more than $5.5m is spent revamping the landmark location.

THE $5.5m redevelopment of the Point Danger lookout is on track to be completed mid-year despite a run of wet weather.

The famous Captain Cook memorial and lighthouse, which marks the border between Queensland and NSW, is in the middle of a major revamp which will remove concrete cancer, fix structural issues and create new public toilets.

The Point Danger lookout renovation is underway on the QLD/NSW border at Coolangatta. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) facilities will also be updated, with asbestos removed from the structure.

A new cafe will also be built at the site.

Coolangatta councillor Gail O’Neil, who co-funded the project with the Tweed Shire Council and the NSW state government, said the construction work was expected to be completed mid-year.

“I am really happy about this one, it’s a project I’ve supported since day one and it really hard to happen because the VMR building had asbestos in it as well as concrete cancer,” she said.

Gail O'Neil.

“Having the new public amenities is very important to me because the existing facilities were at the end of their lifetime.

“While this project was delayed because of Covid and there has been disruption, it will be worth it in the long run and hopefully it will remain on track.”

The memorial lighthouse structure was built in 1971 and last upgraded in 1990 when marine rescue facilities were added.

It was built to mark 200 years since James Cook’s voyage up the east coast of Australia, during which he named Point Danger and Mt Warning.

The Point Danger lookout renovation is underway on the QLD/NSW border at Coolangatta. Picture Glenn Hampson

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