Lighthouses of SA - Point Malcolm Lighthouse Poltalloch, South Australia, Australia
By Team MavEtJu on 18-Oct-16. Waypoint GA8607

Lighthouses of SA - Point Malcolm Lighthouse

he Point Malcolm Lighthouse was built in 1878 on the eastern side of the narrows between Lake Alexandria and Lake Albert, opposite Narrung, a small Aboriginal community. >[? The importance of the Murray River trade and the expected increase in the exporting of riverine-delivered produce via Port Victor (now Victor Harbour) led to the decision to build the lighthouse at Point Malcolm. The lighthouse was built to assist ships that were passing through Lake Alexandria on their way to Lake Albert or the ports on the Murray River. >[? The lighthouse was built by Richard Trenouth, a well-known builder from Strathalbyn, at a cost of £1,043 for both the tower and keeper's cottage. The light was first exhibited on 1 February 1878.

The lighthouse was turned off in September 1931, due a decline in river traffic. The switching off was stated in Notice to Mariners No. 3 of 1931, issued by the South Australian Harbours Board.

Height: 7 metres
Elevation: 25 metres
Pattern: White light which initially revolved with a flash every 10 seconds - altered to a fixed white light in November 1887.
Range: 10 km

Photo: John Ibbotson

Fun fact: The Point Malcolm Lighthouse is Australia's only inland lighthouse, and may be the only inland lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere.

For more information, see Point Malcolm Lighthouse at lighthouses.org.au.

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