Macquarie Lighthouse was the first in Australia. Shortly after the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, Governor Phillip ordered a flagstaff be erected to signal the approach of supply ships bound for Sydney Cove. A beacon, fired firstly by wood, later by coal, was built in 1791 to guide vessels to the harbour entrance by night, becoming Australia's first marine light. This beacon, tended by convicts, provided guidance for shipping for the next 25 years.
AFter this Australia’s first proper lighthouse was erected in 1818, however the poor quality sandstone used in the construction began to erode after 50 years and so a new lighthouse was built again in 1883.