AMSA will be closed from 5 pm AEDT Tuesday 24 December 2024, re-opening on Thursday 2 January 2025. Our search and rescue will continue to operate every day (24/7) during this time. See which services are affected.

Heritage place 40: Table Cape (Tasmania)

Table Cape lighthouse was first lit in 1888. The construction of the lighthouse followed the loss of the ship Emma Prescott in 1867 at Freestone Cove, and the Schooner Orson in 1884. Table Cape lighthouse was the first AMSA-managed lighthouse in Tasmania to be opened to the public for tours.

Figure 71. Table Cape Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2017
Figure 71. Table Cape Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2017
Figure 72. Table Cape Lighthouse. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1200, L10744 (© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Figure 72. Table Cape Lighthouse. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1200, L10744 (© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Heritage place 41: Tasman Island (Tasmania)

The Tasman Island lighthouse was built between 1904-1905 and first lit in April 1906. The tower was constructed of prefabricated cast iron panels imported from England. Until the 1930s the only communication available to the lightkeepers and their families was through pigeon post or by signalling to passing vessels.

Figure 74. Tasman Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2013
Figure 74. Tasman Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2013
Figure 73. Tasman Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2011
Figure 73. Tasman Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2011
Figure 75. Tasman Island Lighthouse. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1861, 1958 (© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Figure 75. Tasman Island Lighthouse. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1861, 1958 (© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Heritage place 42: Low Head (Tasmania)

The current lighthouse at Low Head was built in 1888 on the site of an original light which was built in 1833 by local convict labour. Low Head light station has a foghorn, one of only two still existing in Australian light stations.

Figure 76. Low Head Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2016
Figure 76. Low Head Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2016
Figure 77. Low Head Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2016
Figure 77. Low Head Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2016

Heritage place 43: Dent Island (Queensland)

Dent Island lighthouse was first exhibited in 1879 in response to the dramatic expansion of coastal shipping along the Great Barrier Reef in the mid-19th century. The tower is timber framed, clad in galvanised iron and is identical to the Cape Cleveland lighthouse built at the same time.

Figure 79. Dent Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2018
Figure 79. Dent Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2018
Figure 80. Dent Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2018
Figure 80. Dent Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2018

Heritage place 45: North Reef (Queensland)

North Reef lighthouse, established in 1878, is one of the most remarkable light stations in Australia. Built on a migratory patch of sand on a coral reef at the northern end of the Capricorn Channel, the lighthouse includes a concrete base used as a freshwater tank and a circular keepers’ residence built to surround the tower.

Figure 81. North Reef Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2019
Figure 81. North Reef Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2019
Figure 82. North Reef Lighthouse. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1200, L11611 (© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)
Figure 82. North Reef Lighthouse. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A1200, L11611 (© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Heritage place 46: Booby Island (Queensland)

Booby Island lighthouse was built in 1890 to light the western entrance to Torres Strait. The tower has a wooden frame and is clad in galvanised iron plates, a distinctive construction method only seen in Queensland lighthouses.

Figure 83. Booby Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2014
Figure 83. Booby Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2014
Figure 84. Booby Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2014
Figure 84. Booby Island Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2014

Heritage place 47: Bustard Head (Queensland)

Bustard Head lighthouse was first exhibited in 1868 to warn of several dangers to shipping including the low coral isles of the Bunker Group and the outcrops which line the coast from Bundaberg to Bustard Bay. The 17 m high cast-iron tower of Bustard Head was the first light built by the government after Queensland became a separate colony in 1859.

Figure 85. Bustard Head Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2017
Figure 85. Bustard Head Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2017
Figure 86. Bustard Head Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2010
Figure 86. Bustard Head Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2010

Heritage place 48: Cape Cleveland (Queensland)

Cape Cleveland lighthouse was constructed in 1879 to mark the southern approaches to the port of Townsville. Timber framed iron clad towers such as this are unique to Queensland, and Cape Cleveland closely resembles the nearby Dent Island Lighthouse.

Figure 87. Cape Cleveland Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2013
Figure 87. Cape Cleveland Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2013
Figure 88. Cape Cleveland Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2018
Figure 88. Cape Cleveland Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2018

Heritage place 49: Cape Moreton (Queensland)

Cape Moreton is the site of the oldest Queensland lighthouse, and the only one built of stone in the State. The iconic 23 metre tower was built in 1857 from sandstone quarried nearby. A new lantern was installed in 1928, but the stone tower, the external stone stair at the base, and the internal cast iron stair, all date from the original construction. The two distinctive red bands were first painted on the outside of the tower in 1942.

Figure 89. Cape Moreton Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2011
Figure 89. Cape Moreton Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2011
Figure 90. Cape Moreton Lighthouse. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A6247, MORETON (© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives)
Figure 90. Cape Moreton Lighthouse. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A6247, MORETON (© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives)
Figure 91. Cape Moreton Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2018
Figure 91. Cape Moreton Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2018

Heritage place 53: Cape du Couedic (South Australia)

Cape du Couedic lighthouse was first lit in 1909 on the south side of Kangaroo Island in response to a series of shipwrecks such as the Loch Sloy in 1899 and the Loch Vennachar in 1905. In 1957 the original 1st order Chance Brothers lens was removed and installed at Eddystone Point lighthouse in 1961.

Figure 92. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2015
Figure 92. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2015
Figure 93. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2015
Figure 93. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2015

Heritage place 54: Cape Northumberland  (South Australia)

Cape Northumberland lighthouse was built in 1882 and originally housed a First Order Chance Bros. lens. It replaced the MacDonnell Light which was built in 1850 after a spate of wrecks caused a public outcry for the protection of mariners along the dangerous coastline.

Figure 94. Cape Northumberland Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2012
Figure 94. Cape Northumberland Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2012
Figure 95. Cape Northumberland Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2012
Figure 95. Cape Northumberland Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2012

Heritage place 58: Cape Borda (South Australia)

Built in 1858 the Cape Borda light is located on Kangaroo Island. It is the third oldest remaining lighthouse in South Australia. It was built to guide sailing ships arriving into South Australia off the Roaring Forty trade-winds and into the Investigator Straits and on to Adelaide. Tours of the lighthouse and on site accommodation are available to visitors.

Figure 97. Cape Borda Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2013
Figure 97. Cape Borda Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2013
Figure 98. Cape Borda Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2013
Figure 98. Cape Borda Lighthouse. Photo source: AMSA, 2013