Local Government
Exmouth
Region
Gascoyne
Yardie Creek Rd via Exmouth
located at the northern most extremity of the Cape Range, on the North West Cape, 17 kilometres north of Exmouth
Vlaming Head Lighthouse Group
Exmouth
Gascoyne
Constructed from 1912
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Register | Registered | 22 May 2007 | HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 04 Oct 1976 | ||
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 21 Mar 1978 | ||
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 transit house has historic heritage significance. It is the first house constructed in Exmouth. Other early buildings placed in Exmouth were transported from another settlement, Talgarno. This house represents a large construction project in a co-operative scheme between the US Navy and the Commonwealth and State Governments (refer Place Record Form No 5).
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.
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7183 | Lighthouses of Australia : images from the end of an era. | Book | 2001 |
| 2495 | Vlaming Head Lighthouse Exmouth | Heritage Study {Other} | 1992 |
| 4850 | Vlaming Head lighthouse and store, Exmouth : final report | Report | 2001 |
| 9341 | Vlamingh Head Lighthouse precinct development plan. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2009 |
| 7065 | Images CD No. 32 : assessment images : Point Cloates Lighthouse and Quarters and Vlaming Head Lighthouse Group. | C D Rom | 2004 |
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.