Bathurst Lighthouse is one of two lighthouses on Rottnest Island, the other being Wadjemup Lighthouse. It is located on Bathurst Point, in the northeast of the island, and was activated in 1900.[1] The lighthouse was erected in response to a series of shipping disasters in the area, which included the loss of City of York in 1899.

Bathurst Lighthouse
Bathurst Lighthouse
Map
LocationRottnest Island, Bathurst Point, City of Cockburn, Australia Edit this at Wikidata
Coordinates31°59′22″S 115°32′26″E / 31.989369°S 115.540643°E / -31.989369; 115.540643
Tower
Constructed1900 Edit this on Wikidata
Constructionlimestone Edit this on Wikidata
Automated1920 Edit this on Wikidata
Height19.2 m (63 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Shapeconical Edit this on Wikidata
Markingswhite (tower), white (lantern), gold (dome) Edit this on Wikidata
Power sourcemains electricity Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorAustralian Maritime Safety Authority Edit this on Wikidata
Light
First lit1900 Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height30 m (98 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Intensity13,800 candela Edit this on Wikidata
Range14 nmi (26 km; 16 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
CharacteristicFl(4) W 16s Edit this on Wikidata
Designated4 May 2001
Reference no.517
Former lighthouse keeper's residence

The light source and lantern house were originally to be used at Cape Leeuwin but were then built in on Rottnest Island. In 1920 the original acetylene flame was replaced by a flasher, which made the keeper superfluous. An electric light was installed in 1986.

Bathurst Lighthouse serves as the rear light in the pair of Kingston Reef's leading lights, which guide ships departing from Fremantle through the reefs near the island. Its light is characterised by a group of four flashes that occurs every sixteen seconds.

The original land allocation for the lighthouse and surrounds was reduced in size in 1934.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Bathurst Lighthouse". Lighthouses of Western Australia. Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
  2. ^ "Disposal of Lighthouse Property at Rottnest Island, Western Australia". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No. 75. Australia, Australia. 15 November 1934. p. 1885. Retrieved 7 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.

Further reading

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