Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse on Maatsuyker Island, Tasmania, Australia
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse is a 15-metre tower of white-painted hollow bricks, topped by an iron section housing a two-tonne lamp assembly. It stands near the south-west tip of Maatsuyker Island, 10 km south of the Tasmanian coast, facing the Needle Rocks. Its first-order Fresnel lens by Chance Brothers remains in use.
The structure was built in 1891 to warn ships away from the dangerous waters off the southern coast. It served as a crucial navigation aid for seafarers in this region for over a century.
The island's only residents were the volunteer lighthouse keepers, who formed its entire population until automation. In August 2019, two volunteer caretakers became engaged to be married at the lighthouse. The tower is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.
The island lies 10 km south of the Tasmanian coast, and the lighthouse stands near its south-west tip above the Needle Rocks. A landing jetty at Haulage Cove was repeatedly destroyed by storms, so the site is now reached by helicopter. The Roaring Forties bring frequent gales.
The 1891 lantern still holds its original first-order Fresnel lens made by Chance Brothers, and that lens remains in use. In August 2019, two volunteer caretakers became engaged to be married at the lighthouse. The island has no airstrip for fixed-wing aircraft; access is by helicopter, and the Haulage Cove landing stage was repeatedly destroyed by storms.
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