
The lighthouse was a hexagonal structure built from timber, and a kerosene lamp at the top provided the illumination to keep ships off the coastline and sandbanks nearby. It stood 10.6 metres above the high water mark and could be seen over 14 kilometres away. The lighthouse was designed by Capt GP Heath, RN - he was Queensland's first port master and a marine surveyor. The design allowed for the structure to be moved if the shoreline were to change, and it became the prototype of many other Queensland lighthouses. The light underwent several changes as technology allowed, culminating in the installation of an electric filament in 1934. This lighthouse remained in operation until 1975, when it was relocated to allow a more modern light to be installed in its place. Here is a picture of the structure being moved at that time - it was only moved about thirty metres.

And my recent journey? After driving through a storm and then putting up with persistent rain whilst trying to take a couple of other photographs, I arrived at the lighthouse to find...

The bloody thing was covered in scaffolding and swaddled in green netting. Not even a glimpse of the lighthouse to be seen. I've included a photo anyway, useless as it is. I'll replace it if I ever have a chance to get back to Cleveland in this lifetime. Those of you who can't wait that long can look here. Returning home, I investigate further, and find that the lighthouse needed to be restored after being eaten away by galahs! Now it has been photographed by one!
PS - A visit to Cleveland today (26/01/2012) disclosed that the renovation of the lighthouse is complete. Now it looks like this:
Click here for a Google Map.
tff
Next: Water wise
Would you believe we did the exact same thing recently? My son wanted to see a lighthouse so out we trekked, only to be greeted by the same sight as you. Luckily for us we had also planned to eat dinner in the wonderful restaurant out there so all was not lost.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog by the way :-)
http://tlhtc.blogspot.com/
Snap!
ReplyDelete