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Cape Hotham Lighthouse

Fl (3) W 15s🇦🇺Northern Territory, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cape Hotham Lighthouse

Cape Hotham Light is an active lighthouse constructed in 1928, standing 16 meters tall with its focal plane at 17 meters. This structure emits a light characteristic of three white flashes followed by a red flash, repeating every 15 seconds. The red sector of the light is visible for 9 nautical miles, while the white light extends its reach to 12 nautical miles. Located on Cape Hotham in the Northern Territory, it sits on the coastline of the Van Diemen Gulf, approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Darwin. The lighthouse is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and is accessible by boat.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the entrance to Clarence Strait, serving as the eastern approach to Darwin.

Background
Cape Hotham Light is an active lighthouse in the Northern Territory of Australia located on Cape Hotham on the coastline of the Van Diemen Gulf about 80 kilometres (50 mi) northeast of the territory capital of Darwin, The lighthouse marks the entrance to Clarence Strait, the eastern approach to Darwin. The lighthouse was constructed by the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service during the "Golden Age of Australian Lighthouses", between 1913 and 1920. The light characteristic shown is three flashes, one every two seconds, repeating every 15 seconds (Fl.(3)W.R. 15s). The colour is red on 025°-070° and white elsewhere. The red light is visible for 9 nautical miles (17 km; 10 mi) while the white light is visible for 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi). The site is accessible by boat from Darwin, but the tower is closed to the public. The light is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) W 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl.(3)W.R. period 15s
Focal Height
17m

Construction & History

Year Built
1928

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
Q3315
NGA No.
9544
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5034870 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m

Location

City
Northern Territory
Country
🇦🇺AU
Latitude
-12.0464°
Longitude
131.2895°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape Hotham Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Hotham displays the characteristic Fl (3) W 15s — 3 white flashes every 15 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.
Which ports and harbors does Cape Hotham Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Hotham Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 3 nearby ports. The closest is Melville Island at 36.4 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Palmerston (36.8 NM SW), Darwin (37.2 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Hotham Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape Hotham 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 Cape Hotham Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Hotham 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.