Gabo Island Lighthouse

Gabo Island Lighthouse

Gabo Island lighthouse on an 1863 engraving
Location	Gabo Island Victoria Australia
Coordinates	37°34′06.6″S 149°55′00.8″E
Tower
Constructed	1853 (first)
Construction	granite tower
Automated	1993
Height	46.9 metres (154 ft)
Shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	unpainted red granite tower and white lantern and dome
Power source	solar power
Operator	Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Heritage	listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register
Light
First lit	1862 (current)
Focal height	55 metres (180 ft)
Intensity	30,000 cd
Range	16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (3) W 20s.

The Gabo Island Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located on Gabo Island, Victoria, Australia.

History

Works to erect a lighthouse on the island began in 1846 but funds were sufficient only to excavate the foundations. The first island lighthouse was a wooden tower built in 1853; the current tower was completed in 1862. It is made of pink granite quarried from the island itself. The lighthouse is Australia's second tallest. The light was fitted with an incandescent kerosene mantle in 1917 and upgraded in 1935, with mains power provided by a diesel generator and the 1,000 watt halogen lamp producing an intensity of 900,000 candela.

The focal plane of the light is situated at 55 metres (180 ft) above sea level and the characteristic is a group of three flashes every twenty seconds. A keeper's house is occupied by a caretaker; another building may be rented for overnight stays.

See also

• List of lighthouses in Australia