The million-candela beam was seen as far north as Tathra headland on Friday night, drawing almost 1000 people to the state–heritage site to take part in two days of birthday celebrations.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service and Auswide Services have jointly managed the state-heritage site since December and their guided tours of the tower and keepers cottages were among the most well-attended events.

The areas diverse flora and fauna were also on show including 14 pods of whales sighted from shore, to nocturnal footage of rare and endangered animals such as potoroos, quolls and bandicoots gathered over the last decade. 

NPWS ranger Craig Dickmann said many partnerships mean a bright future for Green Cape’s natural and architectural heritage.

Accommodation and marketing is now managed by Auswide Services, citizen group Atlas of Life is keen to support ecological projects that have spanned a decade and there are also connections to volunteers such as amateur radio operator Kevin Mulcahy (Merimbula), morse code operator Phil McGrath (Eden), light specialists Richard Jermyn (Eden) and Ian Clifford (Kiama).

“The input and expertise from some of the local volunteers has been excellent, like Richard and Ian, and (botanist) Jackie Miles who has forgotten more about plants than I’ll ever know,” he said.

Auswide CEO Kevin Stevens was ecstatic with the weekend turn out.

“This is really the launch of the light to light walk so we’ll be doing three day walk using Green Cape as a base, it’s a great opportunity for people.

“It’s a beautiful place and it doesn’t matter if it’s windy and raining it’s still fantastic and so we’re looking forward to this being a fantastic part of the region and really boosting Eden in particular.”

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