Fitzroy Island Light

Fitzroy Island Light

Location	Fitzroy Island Queensland Australia
Coordinates	16°55′34″S 146°00′07″E
Tower
Constructed	1943
Construction	concrete tower, tile covered
Height	56 feet (17 m)
Shape	octagonal tower
Markings	white tower
Light
First lit	1973
Deactivated	1992

Little Fitzroy Island Light

Location	Little Fitzroy Island Queensland Australia
Coordinates	16°55′23″S 146°00′23″E
Tower
Constructed	1992
Construction	fiberglass tower
Automated	1992
Height	4 feet (1.2 m)
Shape	cylindrical tower
Markings	white tower
Operator	Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Light
First lit	1973
Deactivated	1992
Focal height	33 feet (10 m)
Light source	solar power
Characteristic	F I(3) WRG 15s.

Fitzroy Island Light is an inactive lighthouse on Fitzroy Island, a continental island 29 kilometres (18 mi) southeast of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It was only active between 1973 and 1992, though a light station at the area is active since 1926 and to these days. It now serves as a visitor centre of the Fitzroy Island National Park.

History

The first station in the area was established in 1929 on the nearby Little Fitzroy Island, with the purpose of warning ships in the Grafton Passage of the reefs around the island. The station on Fitzroy Island was established in 1943, during World War II to supplement the Little Fitzroy Island Light.

The light characteristic shown by the 1943 light was unique in Australia, and perhaps in the world, in that the characteristic seen (and not just the light colour) was dependent on the direction, corresponding to different Morse code signals. On the direction 217°, the middle of the channel, it showed a group of four flashes every 16 seconds. North of this direction, the first two flashes looked like a single long flash, resulting in one long flash followed by two short flashes, i.e. a Morse code "D" (go down). South of 217° it would show two short flashes followed by a long flash, i.e. a Morse code "U" (go up). This was achieved using two synchronised rotating bullseye lens panels, which were taken from the Cape Northumberland Light first-order lens.

In 1973 the current Fitzroy Island Light was constructed, the fifth of a group of seven concrete towers erected between 1964 and 1979 in Queensland, in order of erection Cape Capricorn Light, New Caloundra Light, Point Danger Light, New Burnett Heads Light, itself, Point Cartwright Light and Archer Point Light. At that same time the Little Fitzroy Island Light was deactivated. The light source was an array of sealed beam lamps.

In 1992 the lighthouse was deactivated, and Little Fitzroy Island Light was made active again. The lighthouse on Fitzroy Island now serves as a visitor centre for the Fitzroy Island National Park.

Structures

The lighthouse is octagonal in form, topped with a lantern and a gallery. It is made of concrete and covered with tiles, much like Point Cartwright Light and New Burnett Heads Light.

The site also includes several preserved lighthouse keeper cottages and auxiliary buildings.

Site operation and visiting

Fitzroy Island is accessible by ferry from Cairns, and the lighthouse is a 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) hike from the ferry landing. The site is open, but the tower is closed to the public. It is operated by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the Fitzroy Island National Park. The unique 1943 light is on display in the lighthouse office. The lamp from the last lighthouse is on display at the Cairns historical Society Museum.

See also

• List of lighthouses in Australia

References

• Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Far North Queensland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
• "Caloundra Lighthouses (entry 602746)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
• Ibbotson, John (November 2000). "Around Australia Chasing Lighthouses". Lighthouses of Australia Inc Bulletin (11). Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2011. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Buchanan, Stuart (August 2000). "Old Fitzroy Island Lens to Return Home". Lighthouses of Australia Inc Bulletin (8). {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

External links

• "List of Lighthouses of Queensland". Lighthouses of Australia. Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
• Searle, Garry. "List of Lighthouses - Queensland". Lighthouses of Australia. SeaSide Lights.