Lighting the way

Wadjemup Lighthouse – Rottnest

Rottnest’s first lighthouse was built from local stone and began operating in 1851.

The structure was replaced in 1896 by a new tower that was twice as high on Wadjemup Hill. It is one of WA’s oldest lighthouses. A climb to the top offers spectacular views of the entire island across to the mainland.

Bathurst Lighthouse – Rottnest

Rottnest’s second lighthouse is on the north-east cape of the island at Bathurst Point. It was built in 1900 and is made of local stone.

The lighthouse was built following a shipping disaster involving the ship City of York which ran aground on reef 200 metres off shore in 1899.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse – Augusta

Construction of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse was completed in 1896. The original light was a mineral oil six-wick lamp.

The light was converted to electricity in 1982 and automated in 1992 when the last keeper retired. It is WA’s tallest lighthouse at 39 metres with the base 16 metres above sea level and its light can be seen for 45 kilometres. Guided tours are available.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse – Dunsborough

Dangerous reefs along the Cape Naturaliste coastline claimed many ships during the 1800s. The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse was built in 1903 following a series of makeshift structures in the area, including a wooden lighthouse.

A viewing platform at the top makes this an excellent place for whale watching. Visitors can also take a look inside as part of a guided tour.

Vlaming Head Lighthouse – Exmouth

The Vlaming Head Lighthouse is more than 100 years old. It was decommissioned in 1967 but in 2001 a project to restore the lighthouse to its former glory began.

Today, it is one of the last remaining lighthouses in the world able to use kerosene to fuel the light, though it’s usually powered by electricity. The lighthouse offers spectacular views across Ningaloo Reef and is a great spot to watch the sunset.

Bunbury Lighthouse

Bunbury’s lighthouse is not only hard to miss at night, its unusual black and white chequered pattern also makes it hard to miss by day.

Bunbury’s first lighthouse was a wooden structure holding a storm lantern. It evolved into a steel structure in 1903. In 1971 part of the old lighthouse was added to a new structure at the current site.

Point Moore Lighthouse – Geraldton

The Point Moore Lighthouse began operating in 1878. It was the first all-steel tower built on the mainland of Australia.

The tower’s red and white bands were painted on in 1969. The lighthouse is 35 metres high and is only 5km from Geraldton’s town centre. Although not open to the public, visitors can walk around the tower’s base.

Cape Leveque Lighthouse

The Cape Leveque Lighthouse, 193km north of Broome, began operating in 1911. It was commissioned in response to requests by shipping companies trading between Fremantle, north-west ports and Singapore.

The lighthouse was modified in 1967 to enable it to operate on electric power, then in 1985 it was converted to solar power and its operation was automated.

South Mole Lighthouse – Fremantle

Fremantle’s South Mole Lighthouse began operating in 1903, however the powerful light caused confusion with the Woodman Point leading light so a fixed green light was installed at the South Mole tower. The tower is also painted green.

North Mole Lighthouse – Fremantle

Fremantle’s North Mole Lighthouse was first lit in 1906. While the neighbouring southern lighthouse has a fixed green light, a fixed red light was installed in the North Mole tower. The tower is also painted red.

Visitors are free to wander around the base of both the North and South Mole lighthouses. Both are popular fishing spots.