The close-knit community of Fingal Bay is preparing for its biggest celebration in decades with the 160^th anniversary of the opening of the Outer Lighthouse on Fingal Island.

Built in 1861 and officially opened on May 1, 1862, the lighthouse features a striking tower base with a fascinating history that has been best captured in Fingal Bay historian and author John 'Stinker' Clarke's book titled simply, The Outer Light.

The anniversary comes just one month after the Port's Inner Lighthouse at Nelson Head celebrated its 150^th [the light was first switched on on April 1, 1872], with a small ceremony hosted by Marine Rescue Port Stephens.

Fingal Bay's milestone birthday celebrations will be spread across an entire week, starting on Sunday, May 1, with a boat trip (weather permitting) and documented history of the iconic site, hosted by 'Mr Fingal', Stinker Clarke.

"The boat ride with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises with 40 onboard has been booked out but we are inviting everyone to join us afterwards from 4.30pm to launch a Fingal Island and Lighthouse photo exhibition at the Cellar Cafe in Market Street," Stinker said.

"The free exhibition will remain on display in the cafe all week from 4-6pm for locals and visitors plus a host of other activities. Following two years of COVID restrictions and lockdowns, the people of Fingal Bay are ready to party."

The biggest event will take place on Saturday, May 7, where Cellar Cafe Fingal Bay owners Leah Elliott and Alex Watkins will be hosting a 'Step Back In Time' featuring live music from a group of Fingal musicians.

Tomaree Museum Association will also be providing a historic display for the free event, from 2-5pm. Everyone is welcome to join in.

"We are asking people to bring along their own fold-out chairs and their dancing shoes. In addition, we are raising money during the afternoon to purchase a defibrillator to be displayed in Market Street," Leah said.

Moonshadow-TQC Cruises co-owner Jared Aldrich, who has lived all his life in Port Stephens, said that the history of Fingal Island and the Lighthouse deserve to be celebrated.

"I remember going there as a kid and learning about its history at school. Now I have the privilege of leading expeditions to the island and lighthouse with Moonshadow cruises. We run tour to Fingal Island throughout the year and give people a fantastic experience they will remember forever."

The unique Fingal Bay lighthouse has a fascinating history. Its construction, along with the Lighthouse keepers' quarters which unfortunately were severely damaged in a devastating 1991 fire, has stood the test of time.

Boasting arguably the best view in Port Stephens - including those of Tomaree Head and Gan Gan Lookout - the coastal views from the island back to the mainland are worth the effort to get there.

For years people have been walking across the spit to reach the island but by far the safest way to reach the spot is by boat and then walk along the track to the lighthouse.

Stinker said that the lighthouse's history can be traced back to as early as 1857 when the need for one on the rocky coastline off Port Stephen was identified due to the increasing reliance of shipping.

"As the Australian colony continued to grow shipwrecks along the coastline became far more common. Once agreed that a warning light was essential, Point Stephens was chosen that would be of greatest effectiveness for the offshore mariners to get their bearings," he said.

"The sandstone material chosen for the construction of the lighthouse was brought up from the Hawkesbury by ships which were moored to a huge anchor off Box Beach. The stone was unloaded onto a punt, brought ashore and transported to the site with a team of bullocks.

"The 21m tower, which came to be known as the Outerlight, was completed by March 1862 and commenced operating soon after on May 1. The magnificent light keeper's residence, constructed of the same sandstone used for the lighthouse, was completed in 1865."

While the island can be reached by foot across the Fingal Spit during a super low tide, it is recommended for safety reasons that visitors book a cruise and receive a guided tour of the lighthouse and the burnt-out former caretaker's cottage.

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