TACKING Point Lighthouse has been vandalised with graffiti, renewing calls for night-time access to the historic site to be restricted.

Vandals sprayed the landmark structure with graffiti on Monday night and shattered a window in the latest bout of anti-social behaviour at the tourist site.

Port Macquarie Historical Society publicity officer Debbie Sommers described the attack as "a dreadful shame".

"It is a local icon, not just historically but also environmentally," she said. "It is a historic landmark and one that denotes a certain era of our history."

Roving photographer Gerry Walsh was shocked to discover the vandalism in the early hours of yesterday.

He said the latest attack reinforced the need for authorities to restrict access to the site after dark.

"It's supposedly our number-one historical site but the place is just left to go to rack and ruin," he said.

"I think it should have a boom gate on it that should be locked at night."

Lighthouse Rd resident Sam Carroll said youths regularly sped down the road to the lighthouse at night.

"There's no footpath, the road is only very narrow and they absolutely hoon up there," she said.

"They leave tonnes of beer bottles and rubbish there, I just wish they would treat it with a bit of respect.

"Frankly, I think it's just bored teenagers who don't have a mall to hang out in."

Another Lighthouse Rd resident, who did not want to be named, said the vandalism was "absolutely disgusting".

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