Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons contributors. Used under Creative Commons licence.
About Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Cape Naturaliste, in the south west of Western Australia, is the site of a lighthouse which was activated in 1904. It was automated in 1978, but remained staffed with a lighthouse keeper until 1996.
It is a 20-metre-high (66 ft) cylindrical tower built of limestone that still uses its original first order Fresnel lens made by Chance Brothers. The light characteristic is "Fl. (2) 10 s", i.e. a group of two flashes every ten seconds, the focal plane is at 123 metres (404 ft) above sea level. Another precious lens optic is displayed there, the second order Fresnel lens of the Jarman Island Light, as well as the original Great Sandy Islands beacon. Both items were originally used on the Pilbara coast further north.
The lighthouse is constructed of limestone quarried from nearby Bunker Bay, which was also known as the Quarries.
Visiting Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
- Location: 33.5373°S, 115.0187°E — view on Google Maps
- Nearest town: Dunsborough, Western Australia (12 km south-east) — see accommodation in Dunsborough
- Access: Conditions vary by site. Some lighthouses sit on public headlands with car parks and interpretive signage; others are on islands or in active marine reserves requiring a boat or permit. Check with the relevant state parks service or heritage body for current access, opening times and fees before visiting.
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Further reading
Read more on Wikipedia → — used under CC BY-SA 4.0. This article includes contributions from the Wikipedia community.