Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons contributors. Used under Creative Commons licence.
About North Mole Lighthouse
The North Mole Lighthouse began operation in 1906 at the entrance to Fremantle Harbour in Western Australia.
The occulting red light, emitted from a fixed light source at a focal plane height of 15 metres (49 ft) above sea level, is visible for 18 kilometres (11 mi) and indicates the westernmost point of the harbour and its entrance. The lighthouse established permanent service from 1906; after the mole's foundations had settled, a temporary lighting arrangement was discharged. The light planned for the house was found to be too powerful and was sent to Broome for the steel lighthouse at Gantheume Point.
The lighthouse and its technically identical yet green coloured partner on the south mole are the last remaining of their type. It has an 'indicative place' status of the Register of the National Estate and is a well-known landmark to seamen visiting the port.
It was designed by C. Y. O'Connor, an engineer responsible for the construction of Fremantle Harbour and who advanced the proposal of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. The 15-metre (49 ft) tower is made of cast iron, painted red, and features classical decorations.
It is located at the end of North Mole Drive. The position is a well-used recreational fishing spot and a vantage point for ocean yacht racing and birdwatching.
In June 1927 and July 1935, severe storms were recorded affecting the moles but not seriously damaging the lighthouses.
Location
North Mole Lighthouse is located in Western Australia at approximately -32.05388889°, 115.72452778°. A map pin at these coordinates will take you to the approximate lighthouse site — note that some historic lights are on active marine reserves, islands or private land, and visiting may require a boat or permit.
Visiting North Mole Lighthouse
Access to Australian lighthouses varies widely. Some are on publicly accessible headlands with car parks and interpretive signage; others are on remote islands that require chartered boats. Most operational lights managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) are not open to the public interior, but the grounds and keepers' cottages at heritage-listed stations are often open during daylight hours.
If you're planning a visit, check with the relevant state parks service or heritage body for current conditions, access restrictions and opening times. Many of Australia's finest lighthouses are within national parks, and fees may apply.
Further reading
Read more on Wikipedia → — used under CC BY-SA 4.0. This article includes contributions from the Wikipedia community.