Eclipse Island Lighthouse, lighthouse in Western Australia
Eclipse Island Lighthouse is a reinforced concrete tower standing on a small rocky island off the south coast of Western Australia. Built with a cylindrical shape, the structure rises about 14 meters and now operates with an automated beacon that flashes three times every 12 seconds, visible from up to 15 nautical miles at sea.
Built in 1926, the lighthouse was the first Commonwealth-constructed beacon in Western Australia and originally relied on kerosene lamps with a Fresnel lens. After an accident in 1976, it was automated and no longer staffed, marking a major shift from manned to automated operation.
The lighthouse once housed keeper families who lived and worked together in isolation on the island. Their daily routines, dependence on supply boats, and connection to maritime safety shaped the community and remain part of the area's local memory.
The site remains accessible year-round but offers no tours or visitor accommodations, and entry to the lighthouse tower is restricted. The island has no natural harbor, making access challenging and explaining why supply delivery has always required specialized equipment.
A valuable bird and environmental specimen collection gathered by two lighthouse keepers during the 1950s is preserved in a museum today, helping scientists track population changes and environmental shifts over decades. This collection provides rare insight into the island's wildlife during the mid-twentieth century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
