Lighthouses of Australia

Lighthouses of Australia: Coastal History, Scenic Views & Maritime Stories - Cape Otway Lighthouse ©Susan Gan Photography

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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Lighthouses of Australia: Coastal History, Scenic Views & Maritime Stories

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