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Albino Rock Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 20s🇦🇺Townsville, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Albino Rock Lighthouse

A square white concrete tower stands 5 meters tall on Albino Rock, a small islet at the southeastern end of the Palm Islands. Its focal plane is 26 meters above sea level, and it emits a white flash every 20 seconds. The lighthouse has a geographic range of 14.5 nautical miles. Construction plans were published in 1940, with the tower completed that same year. The site is open to visitors, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse completed a chain of lights along the Queensland coast to Torres Strait, marking a hazard in the waters southeast of the Palm Islands and north of Townsville.

Background
Plans for the Albino Rock Lighthouse were published in 1940 with construction scheduled to begin the same year. The plans showed a 30-foot (9.1 m) tower with square white concrete standing at a base elevation of 96 feet (29 m). It was the last light to complete the chain along Northern Queensland to Torres Strait. 44 miles (71 km) to the north lay the Hinchinbrook Light, and 32 miles (51 km) to the south was Cape Cleveland Light. The light characteristic was white with three flashes every 20 seconds (Fl.W.20s), 15,000 candlepower, and 15 miles (24 km) visibility.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
26m
Light Range
15NM (27.8 km)
Geographic Range
14.5NM

Location

City
Townsville
Country
🇦🇺Australia
Region
Queensland
Sea Region
rocky islet at the extreme southeast end of the Palm Islands, southeast of Lucinda and about 50 km north of Townsville, Australia
Latitude
-19.2594°
Longitude
146.8230°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Townsville(1.2 km)
Admiralty No.
K3120
NGA No.
10028
ARLHS No.
AUS-266
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q15179086 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: square white concrete tower

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Albino Rock Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 26 meters and a nominal range of 15 nautical miles (approximately 27.8 km), Albino Rock is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Albino Rock Lighthouse at night?+
Albino Rock displays the characteristic Fl (3) White 20s — 3 white flashes every 20 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Albino Rock Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Albino Rock Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 2 nearby ports. The closest is Townsville at 0.8 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Garbutt (3.2 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Albino Rock Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Albino Rock Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Albino Rock Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Albino Rock Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.