Smoky Cape Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located in Smoky Cape, an eastern promontory of South West Rocks, New South Wales, Australia, and inside Hat Head National Park. This leads the boat towards the entrance to the Macleay River, which is located to the north of the lighthouse.
It is one of the last major lighthouse complexes designed by the then colonial architect of New South Wales at the time, James Barnet, and is one of Australia's last lighthouses designed for architectural excellence. Standing on a granite promontory 140 meters (460 feet) above the sea, the light is the highest in New South Wales.
Video Smoky Cape Lighthouse
History
The Lighthouse was first proposed in 1886 to ensure the safety of coastal coastal traffic on the north coast of New South Wales, and was completed in 1891. The contract to build it was won by William Frank Oakes but he died during construction and the work was completed by the perpetrators. As a result of the Commonwealth Lighthouses Act of 1911, the management of the lighthouse was moved in 1915 to Federal controls due to its status as coastal light.
Since 1939, the lighthouse has become the site of the Australian Meteorological Bureau for the collection of climatic statistics.
During World War 2, the lighthouse area was used for military purposes. There were floodlight batteries and light weapon placement, and possibly a radio room, which operated there at that time. Concrete remains of military installations are still visible.
In 1962 the light was electrified and circa 1988 it was automatic. The optical system is still the original first-order Fresnel lens.
On May 14, 1998, Smoky Cape was the first NSW Parks and Wildlife Service lighthouse to be opened for the tour.
Maps Smoky Cape Lighthouse
Design
The lighthouse design is unusual for octagonal towers, and is designed in such a way as it is easier to throw towers in an octagonal formwork rather than a round formwork. It has one entrance pavilion, a cast iron staircase and a typical hedge fence. It is one of only three nineteenth century concrete lighthouses in NSW (the other being South Solitary Island Lighthouse and Green Cape Lighthouse). The fact that Chance Brothers has original revolutionary devices and lenses, and lantern houses, made it an important example of late nineteenth century industrial maritime technology.
Operation and tourism
The lighthouse is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and is classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).
The nearest lighthouse is the South Solitary Island Lighthouse north of Coffs Harbor, to the north, and Tacking Point Lighthouse in Port Macquarie, to the south.
The lighthouse complex is located in Hat Head National Park. The guard's head hut is now run as a bed and breakfast, and two other cottages as vacation homes, hired from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The cape is a popular spot for whale watching.
See also
- List of lighthouses and lightvessels in Australia
Note
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments