Cape Northumberland Lighthouse, Historic lighthouse at Cape Northumberland, South Australia
Cape Northumberland Lighthouse stands on the southernmost point of South Australia's coast as a navigation marker for shipping in the Southern Ocean. The site includes the tower along with residential buildings and ancillary structures from when it operated as a manned station.
The current structure was built in 1882 to replace the original 1858 lighthouse, which had to be relocated inland due to coastal erosion. This relocation shows the ongoing challenges that coastal stations faced from natural forces.
The lighthouse was a sought-after posting for families in the maritime service because keepers' children could attend regular schools. This made it different from many other isolated coastal stations of that era.
The grounds are open year-round, but the tower itself is not open to public access and does not offer interior tours. Bring warm clothing as the location is windy and exposed to ocean weather.
The light evolved from oil burners through kerosene to automated tungsten halogen systems in the early 1970s. This progression of power systems reflects the long history of lighthouse technology.
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