Leaving the shelter of Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island we punched
our way through the waves to Cape Cleveland.
We anchored in a calm alcove on the western side of the cape
and made our way ashore to discover the exposed coastline. The main highlight
of this trip was to see the heritage-listed lighthouse that marks the northern
point of the rugged cape and entrance to Cleveland Bay and the Port of
Townsville.
Cape Cleveland light house was built in 1879 along with two
purpose built houses for the light house keepers and their families. Isolated from
civilisation the cape was, and still is only accessible by boat and nowadays helicopter.
From the sandy beach a steep, meandering drive way takes off
and leads up to the light house. A saddle point in the driveway is a wonderful
place to stop and take in the views of the rugged, rocky east side of the cape.
Continuing up the driveway the views over to Magnetic Island and back to Townsville
are spectacular.
Standing only 11m high, the lighthouse is not the tallest
lighthouse I have seen. Fitted with a clockwork mechanism with weights meant it
had to wound periodically. Because of its short height, it had to be wound
every 75 minutes which was a big job for its keepers.
September 19, 1987 the light house was converted to solar
power and then three months later it was automated and demanned.
Sealink Townsville have a guided Cape Cleveland Lighthouse tour various times during the year. To find out more information and for dates of upcoming tours click on the link below, you won't be disappointed!
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