Gabo Island Lighthouse

Lighthouse in Victoria, Australia

Lighthouse

37°34′06.6″S 149°55′00.8″E / 37.568500°S 149.916889°E / -37.568500; 149.916889TowerConstructed1853 (first)Constructiongranite towerAutomated1993Height46.9 metres (154 ft)Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lanternMarkingsunpainted red granite tower and white lantern and domePower sourcesolar power

OperatorAustralian Maritime Safety AuthorityHeritagelisted on the Commonwealth Heritage List, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register

LightFirst lit1862 (current)Focal height55 metres (180 ft)Intensity30,000 cdRange16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi)CharacteristicFl (3) W 20s.^[1]

The Gabo Island Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located on Gabo Island, Victoria, Australia.

History

In 1846 begun the works to erect a lighthouse on the island but the funds were sufficient only to excavate the foundations. The first island lighthouse was a wooden tower built in 1853; the current tower was completed in 1862. It is made from pink granite quarried from the island itself. The lighthouse is Australia's second tallest. In 1917 the light was fitted with an incandescent kerosene mantle; then was upgraded in 1935 with the mains power by diesel generator and the 1,000 watt halogen lamp producing an intensity of 900,000 candela.

The focal plane of the light is situated at 55 metres (180 ft) above sea level, the characteristic is a group of three flashes that occurs every twenty seconds. A keeper's house is occupied by a caretaker; another building may be rented for overnight stays.^[2]

References

^ Gabo Island Lighthouse Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Victoria". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.