BRUNY ISLAND LIGHTSTATION

The Cape Bruny lightstation on Bruny Island, Tasmania, is Australia's second oldest (extant) Lighthouse Tower, the oldest being 'The Iron Pot'-(Derwent Light)- built between 1832-33. Cape Bruny was the longest continuously manned lighthouse in Australia.

Although it is widely accepted that the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman's Expedition was the first European to sight the South Coast of Tasmania (previously Van Dieman's Land) and Cape Bruny (mid 1600's), it is believed that the Portugese had sailed and mapped the same area 50 - 100 years before.

Once Botany Bay (Sydney) was established, most sea-traffic to New South Wales from Europe and Great Britian, came past Cape Bruny before clearing South East Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania) and heading North. In 1835 three ship-wrecks occurred in the vicinity of Cape Bruny :- George III, Wallace, Queen of the South. The George III disaster resulted in 147 deaths, which prompted the building of the Cape Bruny Lighthouse.

For accommodation and tours information, phone 03 6298 3114 and talk to Beth and Andy Gregory, send an email or visit the website

Ever wondered what life as a Lighthouse Keeper might have been like?

The heritage listed Cape Byron Lighthouse Keepers Cottages offer the unique opportunity to sample the lifestyle of the lighthouse keeper. Located within a NPWS State Conservation Area on the spectacular Cape Byron Headland and just 2 km from the iconic town centre of Byron Bay, these cottages are a holiday rental opportunity not to be missed.

The lighthouse keepers’ cottages were constructed in 1901 as homes for the keepers working at Cape Byron Lightstation. The two fully restored three bedroom cottages are classic examples of Victorian Georgian style and yet offer all the modern comforts of today. The cottages are self contained and fully equipped with modern conveniences.

From your veranda or bedroom you can be amongst the first people to witness the sunrise over the east coast of Australia, and then kick back in the afternoon and enjoy the peace of sunset over the Byron hinterland.

Enjoy the sight humpback whales passing through the Marine Park at your front door as they migrate from Antarctica to their breeding grounds north of Byron Bay (May to November).

Cottages can be viewed on the Professionals or the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water websites. For bookings and enquiries contact the Professionals Byron Bay on (02)6685 6552

This historic working lighthouse is located atop of a one hundred metre rugged cliff face on Curtis Island in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region. There has been a lighthouse on the site since 1875. People are drawn to the adventure and romance of this beautiful and unique hideaway.

Combining the natural history and a attractions of the lighthouse and surrounding National Park, a Cape Capricorn Lighthouse Escape truly offers something special for visitors and you will feel like you are a million miles from no where.

Cape Capricorn Lighthouse Escape offers comfortable and distinctive accommodation and facilities. Your visit can be tailor made to suit your budget and personal needs. It can be self-catered or a fully-catered experience.

So whatever your reasons for visiting whether it be for relaxation, adventure or romance Cape Capricorn Lighthouse Escape is both a beautiful and unique way to experience your precious time away from the hassle of everyday life. Combining the natural attractions of the Curtis Island National Park with distinctive accommodation and facilities the Cape Capricorn Lighthouse Escape offers something truly special.

The Cape Capricorn Lighthouse Escape is situated in far north Curtis Island. The island lies 35km north of Gladstone off the Central Queensland Coast and is accessible by boat and helicopter. Gladstone is 534km north of Brisbane and 1,180km south of Cairns.

Visit our website
Send us an email
Phone 0418 740 067

The lightstation, built in 1848, is the oldest surviving lighthouse on the Australian mainland and stands a short distance off the Great Ocean Road near Apollo Bay on cliffs 90 metres above the spectacular Southern Ocean. The adjoining buildings represent the largest and oldest group of lightkeeper’s quarters in Australia and also includes the former Signal Station. All these building are heritage listed. The lighthouse is featured in Lighthouses of Australia.

Visitors can now access the lightstation daily from 9am to explore the many heritage buildings and climb to the top of the lightstation. Guided and self guided tours are available. Fees apply.

Visitors can also stay in the heritage sandstone Lightkeeper’s residences. Each residence is fully self-contained, featuring open wood fires and unbelievable views of the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait. Bookings are essential.

For more information...

Phone 61 3 5237 9240
Cape Otway Lightstation Website
Email Cape Otway Lightstation

Cape Schanck Lightstation has served shipping since 1859. It was built from dressed limestone and sandstone and is significant because the original mechanisms are still in place. It’s about a 90 minute drive south from Melbourne. The lightstation is featured in Lighthouses of Australia.

The grounds of the lightstation are a perfect location for picnics, with spectacular views out over Bass Strait as the backdrop. And summer is an ideal time to indulge your taste buds with fresh produce. The ‘light keeper’s selection’ gourmet feast available from the lightstation will open with crackers, savoury sliced crusty bread or rolls, cheese, fruit, tapenades, cold meat with chutney and mixed fresh salad.

There are Lighthouse & Museum Tours daily from 10.00 am.

Accommodation is available in the original Lighthouse Keepers' cottages. There are four self contained cottages - two with one bedroom and two with three bedrooms. Please click to check availability.

For more information...
Online at www.austpacinns.com.au
Phone 61 3 5988 6184
Email capeschanck@austpacinns.com.au

Green Cape at Disaster Bay is the southern most lightstation in New South Wales and was officially commissioned in 1883. Designed by James Barnett the tower stands 29m tall and in its day was the largest concrete mass in the state. The tower differs from the usual round design with its square base grading to an octagonal top. The original first order lens is still intact in the tower and can be viewed on a guided tour.

Green Cape is also the site of Australia’s worst maritime disaster outside of wartime when the Ly-ee-moon ran aground in 1886, claiming 71 lives.

Today the Department of Environment and Conservation has restored the Assistant Lightkeepers' quarters for holiday rental. Each well appointed cottage sleeps up to 6 people and makes a fantastic base from which to explore the surrounding Ben Boyd National Park.

Regular guided tours of the lightstation are available most days year round.

For more information and bookings
Phone 61 (0)2 6495 5000
Fax 61 (0)2 6495 5055
Email fscr@environment.nsw.gov.au

Experience a step back in time by staying in a beautifully restored heritage listed Lighthouse Keepers Cottage at stunning Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island’s remote north-west coast.

The lighthouse was built in 1858 to guide sailing ships travelling to Adelaide via Investigator Strait. It is the third oldest remaining lighthouse in South Australia and one of only three lighthouses in Australia to retain a Deville lantern room. It is also the only square lighthouse in South Australia. In the early days supplies were landed by boat and hauled up a long steel railway at nearby Harvey's Return.

Located within Flinders Chase National Park at the far north-western corner of the Island, the lighthouse is perched high on a cliff above an ocean, Cape Borda offers a special kind of peace and tranquillity because of its spectacular setting and remoteness. Enjoy stunning sunsets and spectacular views across Investigator Strait and explore the Park’s walking trails or join a tour of the lighthouse and museum where you will discover the maritime history of the area.

Regular guided tours of the Lightstation are available every day except Christmas day. You need to join the 12:30pm tour to experience the daily canon firing.
Accommodation & Tour Info
Phone: +61 (8) 8553 4410
Email: kiparksaccom@sa.gov.au
Visit the Website

Experience spectacular coastal scenery and wildlife whilst staying in one of three beautifully restored heritage listed Lighthouse Keepers Cottages at stunning Cape du Couedic on the south-western corner of Kangaroo Island within Flinders Chase National Park.

The Cape du Couedic Lighthouse was constructed between 1906-1909 and was the fifteenth to be built on South Australia's coast. It was also the last lighthouse to be built in South Australia before the Commonwealth Government took over the management and control of Australian lighthouses in 1915. The tower itself was beautifully built from 2,000 blocks of local stone. It is also worth visiting the ruins at nearby Weirs Cove where supplies were landed after being transported up the cliff by a flying fox.

The Cape du Couedic Lightstation maintains a high degree of integrity with the retention of original buildings constructed between 1907 and 1909. The tower and the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottages are listed on both the State and National Heritage Registers.

Cape du Couedic is located just a 20 minute drive from the Flinders Chase National park Visitor Centre and Chase Café. From your accommodation, take a short stroll to view New Zealand Fur Seals frolicking in the ocean and playing on rocks at Admirals Arch, and a 5 minute drive to Remarkable Rocks. The Park has many interesting drives and spectacular walking trails and is about a 30 minute drive from Kelly Hill Caves where you can take a guided tour.

Accommodation & Park Info
Phone: +61 (8) 8553 4410
Email: kiparksaccom@sa.gov.au
Visit the Website

Enjoy spectacular sunrises, listen to the waves crashing onto the nearby cliffs and catch a glimpse of a Sea Eagle whilst staying in one of two beautifully restored Heritage listed Lighthouse Keepers Cottage at stunning Cape Willoughby on Kangaroo Island.

This Lighthouse was the first to be built in South Australia in 1852, and quite unique in its neo-gothic style, looking more like a windmill than a traditional conical lighthouse. The light still provides assistance to shipping through the Backstairs Passage - the treacherous stretch of water between Kangaroo Island and the mainland of South Australia. It is constructed from granite and limestone quarried from a nearby sea cliff known as the Devil’s Kitchen.

Situated at the breathtaking eastern most point on Kangaroo Island, and only 30 minutes drive from the Ferry terminal at Penneshaw, you will find Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and Keepers Cottages overlooking Backstairs Passage.

Your accommodation is a short drive away from stunning Antechamber Bay in Lashmar Conservation Park which has one of Kangaroo Island’s most secluded and beautiful sandy beaches that is ideal for walking all year round and wonderful for a summer swim.
Regular guided tours of the Lightstation are available every day except Christmas day;

Accommodation & Tour Info
Phone: +61 (8) 8553 4410
Email: kiparksaccom@sa.gov.au
Visit the Website

There are 187 steps to the view from mainland Australia’s tallest lighthouse at Point Hicks. From there you can see whales cruising past, seals basking in the sun, wedge tail eagles gliding on thermals as well as hundreds of kilometers of pristine shoreline. The view is always sensational no matter the season. The lighthouse towers over two (8 person) cottages and a (2 person) bungalow available for rent. Perfect for a group getaway or couples retreat.

In the pristine Croajingalong National Park near the lighthouse, there are 50 well-hidden camping spots and endless opportunities for bird watching, fishing, hiking and bicycling. The fresh-water Thurra River leads to some of the tallest sand dunes in the world and the river and the beaches are ideal for swimming, surfing, snorkeling and diving. Point Hicks offers something to everyone irrespective of age or ability. All the elements of nature’s beauty are there are to be enjoyed and experienced. This is a holiday destination like no other and one visit will guarantee many more.

Visit our Point Hicks Lighthouse website for more information and how to make a reservation.

Smoky Cape Lighthouse offers B&B and self catering accommodation in beautifully restored ex-lighthouse keepers' cottages situated on the Mid North Coast of NSW half way between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.

Our unique working lighthouse is the most elevated lighthouse in Australia and our guests enjoy the most romantic unforgettable experience in their lives.

Our views are gobsmacking beautiful with 20 kilometers of pristine beach, surrounded by the many amazing walking tracks in Hat Head National Park of which we are part.

We spoil our guests with period furniture and wonderful healthy breakfasts. We are the very proud winners of two awards at the recent North Coast Tourism Awards. We were first in the Unique Accommodation category and first in the Heritage and Cultural Tourism category.

Your hosts Pat and Wendy would love to spoil you.

Definitely a MUST STAY if you are visiting Australia. For more information:

Phone (02) 6566 6301
Mobile 0419 663 301
Email smokycapelighthouse@bigpond.com
Website www.smokycapelighthouse.com

Since December 1875 Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse has protected seafarers. The tower and adjacent cottages, built of rendered brick, were the first of colonial architect James Barnet’s celebrated design. The tower is distinctive as it is one of only two with an external staircase. It is a working lightstation, still with its original lens which is easily visible from the base.

There are breathtaking panoramic views from the lightstation over craggy Saw Tooth and Seal Rocks. Sugarloaf Point lighthouse is featured in Lighthouses of Australia.

A history of dramatic shipwrecks, including the well known Catterthun in 1895, provide opportunities for historic reflection, or diving for the more adventurous. The lighthouse, situated in Myall Lakes National Park, is surrounded by a playground of natural flora and fauna, pristine beaches and marine life. Seal Rocks, on the mid north coast of NSW is the location of a renowned grey nurse habitat.

The three heritage listed cottages have been beautifully restored and reflect the pioneering period in which they were built. The cottages are self contained and fully equipped with modern conveniences.

For more information ...

Website www.srla.com.au
Email stay@srla.com.au
Phone 02 4997 6590

Troubridge Shoal is about six kilometres east south east of Edithburgh at the “heel” of Yorke Peninsular in South Australia. The Shoal and Peninsular were named after the Lord of the Admiralty Sir Edward Troubridge by Matthew Flinders in 1802.

The Shoal is dangerously located along the major shipping route to Port Adelaide. The first wreck was the Dart in 1838. Many more ships were wrecked and this lead to the construction of the lighthouse and keeper cottages. The light was permanently lit in January 1856.

The deserted cottages surrounded by white sandy beaches are now hideaways with all the comforts of home and can be booked for an unforgettable stay. It’s a paradise where Crested and Caspian Terns, Fairy Penguins and Pied Cormorants breed. When the boat arrives from Edithburgh (a 15 minute trip), thousands of resident birds leave their nesting places unsure of the strangers that approach their island.

Mullet, tommies or flathead can be caught right off the beach. There is nothing like a feed of fresh fish cooked and enjoyed in the historic cottages – as it was by lighthouse keepers past.

Troubridge Island Hideaway can accommodate 12 people. There are four double and four single beds. For more information and bookings contact Chris or Judy Johnson on (08) 8852 6290