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Piper Reef Lighthouse

Fl (4) White 20s🇦🇺Cook Shire, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Piper Reef Lighthouse

A red, square pyramidal skeletal tower stands 12 meters high on concrete piles, marking the eastern end of Piper Reef. First lit in 1876, it was initially a lightship station. The structure emits a white light with four flashes every 20 seconds, visible for 11 nautical miles. This lighthouse is situated about 30 kilometers south of Cape Grenville in Queensland's Cook Shire. Its remote site is open to visitors, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This light is essential for navigating the confined channel between Piper Reef and Inset Reef, a significant portion of the coastal inside passage.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (4) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
4 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
12m
Geographic Range
11NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1876

Significant events: lightship station established 1876

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red and mounted on concrete piles
Material
concrete

Structure: square pyramidal skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted red and mounted on concrete piles

Location

City
Cook Shire
Country
🇦🇺Australia
Region
Queensland
Sea Region
marks the very narrow passage between Piper Reef and Inset Reef on the inside passage along the coast, located at the east end of Piper Reef about 30 km south of Cape Grenville
Latitude
-12.2510°
Longitude
143.2488°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Weipa(85.0 km)
Admiralty No.
K3242
NGA No.
9756
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Piper Reef Lighthouse at night?+
Piper Reef displays the characteristic Fl (4) White 20s — 4 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.
Is Piper Reef Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Piper Reef 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 Piper Reef Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Piper Reef 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.