Lighthouses of WA - Vlaming Head Lighthouse North West Cape, Western Australia, Australia
By Team MavEtJu on 29-Oct-16. Waypoint GA8687

Lighthouses of WA - Vlaming Head Lighthouse

Vlaming Head Lighthouse, built in 1912 is significant for its aid in the development of marine navigation along the western coastline of Australia. It was built as a direct result of the wrecking of the SS Mildura in 1907 and contributes to the wider historical significance of the region. The lighthouse is significant for demonstrating a way of life in a very isolated area where supplies had to be landed on the beach and transported by tramway to the site. The lighthouse is paramount as a landmark feature in the region, prominent from the sea and the mainland.

Vlaming Head is physically very isolated and difficult to reach. At the time of its construction, the nearest port was some 200 miles away and the closest beach for landing supplies was over 3 miles from the proposed site. Provision of fresh water for the labourers and later the lighthouse keepers, was a major obstacle that needed to be overcome and which overshadowed the whole history of the lighthouse. Supplies during construction were shipped from Fremantle to Ashburton Roads (Onslow) by steamer and back to North West Cape by schooner where they were landed on the beach. To solve the problem of getting supplies from the beach to the lighthouse a small horsedrawn tramway was built. Mail and other supplies were brought overland from Onslow by camel — although, during World War 1 at least– the mail was delivered once a month from Carnarvon by an Aboriginal mailman. Water for the labourers was provided by a salt water condenser; but the water quality was not good.

Height: 7 metres

Photo: Lighthouses.org.au

For more information, please see Exmouth website.

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