Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Chance Brothers Lighthouse
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Date of lens manufacture
1895
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Date of lighthouse construction
1896
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Country
Australia
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Commissioning body
Government of Western Australia
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Order of lens
1st order
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Fixed or revolving lens
Revolving
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Active/Inactive
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Describe the character of light
Fl. White. 7.5 secs
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Describe the lighthouses daymarks
White round masonary tower with white lantern
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Which aspects of the lighthouse (other than the lens) were manufactured by Chance brothers
1st order lantern, mercury float, clockwork drive, six wick burner and 12 gallon pressure lamp.
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Describe the history of the lighthouse
Completed in1896 and first lit on the 10th of December the tower and cottages are built of local limestone. The Cape Leeuwin Light was first mooted in 1881, but took 15 years to eventuate.
Prolonged discussions were held to determine the best site for the lighthouse. Until the Kalgoorlie-Coolgardie gold rushes Western Australia was the poorest of the Australian States and with no assistance from the Eastern States it was unable to proceed with a project of this size. Further delays occurred while excavating the foundations of the light tower due to the depth required.
The original 1895 plan included two lights. The present 39m white light tower and in front of it, a low red light tower. Although the foundations for this low tower were completed, the structure was never built because it was considered that a second light would cause confusion and draw ships closer to the Cape.
Almost as famous is the waterwheel and wooden flume constructed to bring fresh spring water to the lighthouse from a distance away. It has been calcified by the minerals and salts reminiscent of a limestone area known for its huge caves.
The original 1st order bi-valve (two panel) lens remains in use today with the optic revolving on a mercury bath. Cape Leeuwin was the first lighthouse in Australia and one of the first in the world to use a Chance Bros mercury pedestal. This enabled the lens at Cape Leeuwin to revolve every 10 seconds, a massive improvement in the roller bearing pedestals in use at that time.
The original light source was a six wick kerosene lamp producing a light intensity of 250,000 candelas, visible for 40km.
In 1925, the light was upgraded to vapourised kerosene giving a light intensity of 780,000 candelas.The light was manually operated using vaporised keroscene until 1982 when it was converted to electricity replacing the clockwork mechanism and kero burner. The new 1,000 watt halogen lamp increased the light output to 1,000,000 candelas. This light was automated in September 1992.
The light now uses an LED array as its light source.
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Current management body/ ports authority
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
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Historical preservation societies/manager/operator
Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association
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Is the site vulnerable to coastal erosion?
no -
Have you experienced any affects of climate change on the lighthouse?
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Observations on the condition of the lighthouse?
The lighthouse is an active lighthouse and remains in good condition.
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Is the site open/closed to the public
Open
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Is the tower open/closed to the public
Open
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Latitude and Longitude
Lat: 34° 22.4900’ S Long: 115° 08.1800’ E
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On-site bookable accommodation available
no -
Associated web addresses
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Other details
As the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is a must-see attraction. This historic lighthouse is situated at the most south-westerly point of Australia, at the tip of a spectacular peninsula - where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.
ARLHS AUS-035; Admiralty Q1794; NGA 8872.
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Which resources did you use to research this lighthouses?
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Where?
