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Cape Wickham Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 10s🇦🇺Tasmania, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cape Wickham Lighthouse

Constructed in 1861, this lighthouse stands 48 meters tall, making it the tallest in Australia. It emits two white flashes every 10 seconds, visible for 24 nautical miles. The tower's focal plane reaches 85 meters above sea level. Within the structure, eleven timber staircases, each with twenty steps, lead to the lantern room. The surrounding grounds contain the remnants of associated buildings, including a small church, and gravestones, some belonging to individuals lost in shipwrecks after the lighthouse was established.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register and the Commonwealth Heritage Register.

Background
The Cape Wickham Lighthouse is a lighthouse situated at Cape Wickham on King Island, Tasmania. At 48 metres (157 ft) tall, it is Australia's tallest lighthouse. The lighthouse is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage Register. There are eleven timber flights of stairs in the lighthouse, with twenty steps each, which must be climbed in order to reach the top. Surrounding the lighthouse are the remains of a number of associated buildings, including a small church. There are also a number of gravestones, many belonging to those who were shipwrecked in the area after the lighthouse was built.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl.(2)W. period 10s
Focal Height
85m
Geographic Range
24NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1861
Heritage Status
listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
K2186
NGA No.
K 2186
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5035161 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
48m

Location

City
Tasmania
Country
🇦🇺AU
Latitude
-39.5885°
Longitude
143.9429°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape Wickham Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Wickham displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 10s — 2 white flashes every 10 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 Wickham Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Wickham Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 1 nearby port. The closest is KING ISLAND at 29.3 NM to the S. Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Wickham Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape Wickham 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 Wickham Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Wickham 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.