From its beginning, the lighthouse was closely related to the Cape Cleveland Light.
The construction of both lighthouses was recommended by Commander George Poynter Heath, the Chairman of the Queensland Marine Board, in February 1878.
The lighthouses were formally approved in April 1878 and tenders for the construction of both stations, each including a lighthouse and two keepers' cottages, were called in May 1878 and closed in June 1878.
The tenders were awarded to W. P. Clark, who also constructed Bustard Head Light (1868), Low Isles Light (1877), Double Island Point Light (1884) and Pine Islet Light (1885).
However, following personal difficulties, the contracts were transferred to John Clark and James Wiseman who completed the construction of both stations in December 1879.

The tower was constructed in the unique Queensland method of constructing a timber frame and cladding it with non-structural iron plates or iron sheets.

The original apparatus comprised a fourth order lens with an oil wick burner of 4,000 cd intensity.
Like other lighthouses at that time it used a clockwork mechanism with weights, which had to be wound periodically.
Due to its short height, only 6 metres (20 ft) from the base to the lantern, the mechanism had to be wound every 75 minutes.

In 1925, the light was upgraded to a 35mm incandescent gas mantle fueled by pressurised kerosene, with an intensity of 225,000 cd, visible for 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi).
In 1927 the lens was replaced with refurbished lens from Cape Cleveland Light.

In 1983 the light was converted to solar power and downgraded to a visibility range of 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi).
It was finally demanned in 1987.
From its beginning, the lighthouse was closely related to the Cape Cleveland Light. The construction of both lighthouses was recommended by Commander George Poynter Heath, the Chairman of the Queensland Marine Board, in February 1878. The lighthouses were formally approved in April 1878 and tenders for the construction of both stations, each including a lighthouse and two keepers' cottages, were called in May 1878 and closed in June 1878. The tenders were awarded to W. P. Clark, who also constructed Bustard Head Light (1868), Low Isles Light (1877), Double Island Point Light (1884) and Pine Islet Light (1885). However, following personal difficulties, the contracts were transferred to John Clark and James Wiseman who completed the construction of both stations in December 1879.
The tower was constructed in the unique Queensland method of constructing a timber frame and cladding it with non-structural iron plates or iron sheets. 
The original apparatus comprised a fourth order lens with an oil wick burner of 4,000 cd intensity. Like other lighthouses at that time it used a clockwork mechanism with weights, which had to be wound periodically. Due to its short height, only 6 metres (20 ft) from the base to the lantern, the mechanism had to be wound every 75 minutes.
In 1925, the light was upgraded to a 35mm incandescent gas mantle fueled by pressurised kerosene, with an intensity of 225,000 cd, visible for 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi). In 1927 the lens was replaced with refurbished lens from Cape Cleveland Light.
In 1983 the light was converted to solar power and downgraded to a visibility range of 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi). It was finally demanned in 1987.
Dent Island Light