Local Government
Exmouth
Region
Gascoyne
Yardie Creek Rd via Exmouth Exmouth
Lot 4 P14685 18 18/484 17km north of townsite
Exmouth
Gascoyne
Constructed from 1912
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
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Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
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Municipal Inventory | Adopted |
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The Vlamingh Head Lighthouse has aesthetic, historic, social, scientific and cultural heritage significance. It
was a significant feature of the north west coast for 50 years until 1967. It is a notable piece of architecture
in a very remote location. Though now disused as a navigational warning dev ice, it retains much evidence of
a way of life no longer practiced.
The Vlamingh Head Lighthouse was constructed from shuttered stone with a mortar fill which was then
rendered. The lighthouse lantern on top is made from pre-fabricated steel and glass. Close by there is a
small separate rendered stone building with an iron roof. The sparse and bleak setting on the North West
Cape peninsula is typical for the positioning of a lighthouse.
Over the years the dangerous coastline around the North West Cape contributed to a number of shipwrecks
on the reefs. One of these was the SS Mildura. In 1907 the ship had foundered at Point Murat losing all
livestock but without the loss of human life. Recognition by shipping authorities of the need for a substantial
navigational warning system led to the construction of the lighthouse on Vlamingh Head. Building
commenced in November 1911. Delays were caused by bad water, dysentery among the labourers and the
need to bring all materials and provisions in by sea from Fremantle. A fatality occurred when F J Reddy
succumbed to dysentery in May 1912 (refer Place Record Form No 6).
The lighthouse became operational on 10 November 1912 and was visible for up to 22 nautical miles. Two
lighthouse keepers were required to keep the light burning. Fuelled by kerosene the light flashed in a group
of two flashes every 7.5 seconds.
Accommodation for the lighthouse keepers were provided nearby. Fuel supplies and provisions for the
keepers were ferried from the beach by horse drawn carriages on a tramway. The lighthouse became obsolete
with the introduction of an electric light on the VLF tower at the Harold Holt Communication Centre on
21 April 1967. Today (1997) the lighthouse is open as a tourist attraction.
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
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L Harris; "Vlamingh Head Lighthouse 1912-1967". | Historical pamphlet | ||
Commander C R W Brewis R N; "Lighting of the West Coast of Australia (King George Sound to Cambridge Gulf)." | Pub Commonwealth of Australia Dept of Trade and Customs Vic | 1912 |
Individual Building or Group
Epoch | General | Specific |
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Present Use | VACANT\UNUSED | Vacant\Unused |
Original Use | Transport\Communications | Water: Lighthouse |
Type | General | Specific |
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Roof | METAL | Corrugated Iron |
Wall | RENDER | Other Render |
Wall | CONCRETE | Other Concrete |
General | Specific |
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DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY | Workers {incl. Aboriginal, convict} |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.