Lighthouses of Australia
Lighthouses of Australia
Australia’s rugged coastline is dotted with historic lighthouses that have guided sailors safely through treacherous waters for over two centuries. From the towering beacons along the Great Ocean Road to the remote sentinel lights on isolated islands, these lighthouses are not only vital navigational aids but also rich with history and stories of maritime adventure. Whether you’re a history buff, a photography enthusiast, or planning a coastal road trip, Australia’s lighthouses offer a unique glimpse into the nation’s maritime heritage.
Below is a comprehensive list of notable Australian lighthouses, organized by state, including their key features and historical significance.
Lighthouses of Australia – New South Wales
Lighthouse | Year Built | Location | History & Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Macquarie Lighthouse | 1818 | South Head, Sydney | Australia’s first lighthouse; designed by convict architect Francis Greenway. |
Norah Head Lighthouse | 1903 | Central Coast | One of the last staffed lighthouses in NSW, now a museum. |
Point Perpendicular | 1899 | Jervis Bay | Built from local sandstone; offers panoramic ocean views. |
Cape Byron | 1901 | Byron Bay | Easternmost point of mainland Australia; popular tourist destination. |
Barrenjoey | 1881 | Palm Beach | Accessible via a scenic hike; featured in Home and Away. |
Green Cape | 1883 | Ben Boyd National Park | First concrete lighthouse in Australia; remote and historic. |
Smoky Cape | 1891 | South West Rocks | Tallest lighthouse in NSW; offers sweeping coastal views. |
Montague Island | 1881 | Near Narooma | Wildlife haven; access via guided tours. |
Tacking Point | 1879 | Port Macquarie | Among Australia’s oldest lighthouses; popular for whale watching. |
Warden Head | 1873 | Ulladulla | Moved from the breakwater to its current location in 1889. |
Cape St George | 1860 | Jervis Bay Territory | Decommissioned due to navigational confusion; now a dramatic coastal ruin. |
Lighthouses of Australia – Queensland
Lighthouse | Year Built | Location | History & Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Cape Moreton | 1857 | Moreton Island | Queensland’s oldest; built from local sandstone. |
Bustard Head | 1868 | Near Gladstone | Remote and scenic; restored as a heritage site. |
Hinchinbrook Island | 1925 | Hinchinbrook Island | Early automation; key for reef navigation. |
Sandy Cape | 1870 | Fraser Island | Northern tip of Fraser; accessible only by 4WD. |
Cape Capricorn | 1875 | Curtis Island | Located in a protected area; now automated. |
Double Island Point | 1884 | Rainbow Beach | Surrounded by national park and dunes. |
Point Cartwright | 1978 | Sunshine Coast | Modern lighthouse with scenic lookouts. |
Caloundra | 1896 | Caloundra | Oldest in the region; part of a local heritage centre. |
Lighthouses of Australia – South Australia
Lighthouse | Year Built | Location | History & Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Cape Willoughby | 1852 | Kangaroo Island | SA’s first lighthouse; has a visitor centre and tours. |
Troubridge Island | 1856 | Yorke Peninsula | Now decommissioned; accessible by boat for tours. |
Cape Jervis | 1871 | Fleurieu Peninsula | Aids navigation through Backstairs Passage. |
Cape Borda | 1858 | Kangaroo Island | Unique square tower; museum and historic site. |
Cape Northumberland | 1882 | Port MacDonnell | Southernmost in SA; the original tower is now a ruin. |
Cape Spencer | 1975 | Innes National Park | Still active; perched above dramatic cliffs. |
Lighthouses of Australia – Tasmania
Lighthouse | Year Built | Location | History & Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Cape Bruny | 1838 | Bruny Island | Tasmania’s oldest; first to be automated in the state. |
Eddystone Point | 1899 | Northeast Tasmania | Harsh weather conditions; remote and scenic. |
Tasman Island | 1906 | Tasman Peninsula | Located on sea cliffs; dramatic isolation. |
Maatsuyker Island | 1891 | Off southern Tasmania | Australia’s southernmost; last staffed lighthouse. |
Cape Tourville | 1971 | Freycinet Peninsula | Easily accessible; panoramic coastal boardwalk. |
Lighthouses of Australia – Victoria
Lighthouse | Year Built | Location | History & Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Split Point | 1891 | Aireys Inlet | Iconic black and white stripes; featured in SeaChange. |
Cape Otway | 1848 | Great Ocean Road | Oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia; historic telegraph station. |
Point Lonsdale | 1902 | Bellarine Peninsula | Crucial to Port Phillip Bay navigation. |
Cape Schanck | 1859 | Mornington Peninsula | Built from limestone; offers stunning views. |
Cape Nelson | 1884 | Portland | Still operational; sits in a scenic coastal reserve. |
Cape Liptrap | 1913 | South Gippsland | Victoria’s first automatic lighthouse. |
Gabo Island | 1862 | Near Mallacoota | Made from rare pink granite; historic and remote. |
Point Hicks | 1890 | East Gippsland | Marks the point where Captain Cook first sighted Australia. |
Lighthouses of Australia – Western Australia
Lighthouse | Year Built | Location | History & Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Cape Leeuwin | 1895 | Augusta | Marks meeting of Indian and Southern Oceans. |
Point Peron | 1906 | Rockingham | Decommissioned in 1911; historic coastal site. |
Rottnest Island | 1849 | Rottnest Island | Important to Fremantle’s maritime navigation. |
Cape Naturaliste | 1904 | Near Dunsborough | Short, sturdy tower; offers guided tours. |
Vlamingh Head | 1912 | Exmouth | Overlooks Ningaloo Reef; WWII radar history. |
Point Moore | 1878 | Geraldton | Red and white stripes; oldest mainland WA lighthouse. |
Australia’s Coastal Beacons – A Timeless Connection to Sea and Sky
From the rugged cliffs of Tasmania to the sun-drenched shores of Western Australia, the lighthouses of Australia stand as enduring symbols of maritime heritage, engineering brilliance, and coastal beauty. Whether still active or preserved as historic landmarks, each lighthouse tells a story of isolation, resilience, and guidance. Visiting these beacons offers more than a glimpse into the past — it invites you to experience panoramic views, spot wildlife, and connect with the rhythm of the sea.
So whether you’re a history lover, photographer, or coastal adventurer, Australia’s lighthouses promise inspiration at every turn of the tide.
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