Flat Top Island Light, Timber-framed lighthouse on Flat Top Island, Queensland.
Flat Top Island Light is a timber-framed structure clad in galvanized iron sheets, standing roughly 10 meters tall at the mouth of the Pioneer River. The design pairs an internal wooden framework with metal plating to withstand the harsh maritime environment.
Construction started in December 1877, and after the lighting equipment was installed, the lighthouse became operational on December 27, 1879. It served maritime traffic in the region for many decades.
The lighthouse served as a vital navigation aid for ships entering Mackay Harbor and warned vessels about dangerous reefs in the surrounding waters.
The lighthouse sits about 6.5 kilometers east of Mackay on an island and can only be reached by boat from the mainland. Visitors planning to see it should arrange boat access in advance and check weather conditions before going out.
During the January 1918 cyclone in Mackay, the lighthouse was the only structure left standing on the island, proving its remarkable strength. This event shows just how well it was built to survive extreme weather.
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