Cape Don Light, Coastal lighthouse in Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory, Australia.
Cape Don Light is a lighthouse on Cobourg Peninsula in Northern Territory that marks the entrance to Dundas Strait between Cobourg Peninsula and Melville Island. The white concrete tower stands about 36 meters high and sits within a larger complex that includes several residential buildings and support structures.
The lighthouse was constructed between 1915 and 1917 by the Commonwealth Government using materials shipped from Melbourne because local materials proved inadequate for the harsh coastal conditions. Its completion improved navigation safety for ships traveling through one of Australia's most remote waterways.
The lighthouse complex includes three residences and ancillary buildings, representing early 20th-century Commonwealth maritime infrastructure in Northern Territory.
Visiting requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle, especially during the dry season, along with permits and entrance fees that support site maintenance. The former keeper's dwelling can serve as accommodation for those planning an overnight visit.
The lighthouse was converted to Australia's first solar-powered beacon in 1983, with the original kerosene light replaced by a high-intensity solar system. This early adoption of renewable energy at a remote Australian coastal station demonstrated innovative approaches to powering navigation aids.
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