Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse

The Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse, built-in 1873, is a historical monument and a symbol of Australia's rich maritime heritage.

This 17-meter-tall lighthouse is located on Lady Elliot Island, Queensland, and is the first-ever lighthouse in Australia with a timber frame and weatherproof cast iron external cladding, making it a unique and significant structure.

The Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse was designed in England and shipped to the island in pieces. It served as a beacon for sailors navigating through the Great Barrier Reef for over a hundred years. The lighthouse's shining light marked the island, and during its operational years, the flashing light was visible for up to 15 nautical miles. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1995 and replaced by a new solar-powered and fully automated tower.

The original lighthouse was placed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) developed the Lady Elliot Island Lightstation Heritage Management Plan in March 2012. The Management Plan's primary objective is to safeguard and maintain the Commonwealth Heritage values of the Lady Elliot Island lighthouse.

The lighthouse is not open to the public, but tourists visiting Lady Elliot Island can still admire and appreciate the lighthouse's beauty and historical significance from outside. It is an excellent spot to capture photographs of the lighthouse, and while you are there, take a look at the little museum located in the adjacent building. The best time to visit Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse is between April to September, during the dry season. The weather is comfortable and pleasant during this period.