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Wharton Reef Lighthouse

Oc W 2s🇦🇺Queensland's East Coast, AUInactive

Location & Light Range

About Wharton Reef Lighthouse

A yellow column structure on a pedestal, Wharton Reef Lighthouse was built in 1915. It stands 30 meters tall and formerly emitted an occulting white light. Its geographic range was limited to 3 nautical miles. The lighthouse is located on Wharton Reef in Princess Charlotte Bay, off Queensland's East Coast. It ceased operations in 1990.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is the sole remaining structure from a group of twenty automatic lighthouses erected in Queensland between 1913 and the early 1920s, a period known as the "Golden Age of Australian Lighthouses."

Background
Wharton Reef Light is an inactive lighthouse which used to be located on Wharton Reef in Princess Charlotte Bay off the Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia. When it was deactivated in 1990 it was donated to the Townsville Maritime Museum and it is now on display near the museum. It is the only survivor of a series of twenty automatic lighthouses installed in Queensland during the "Golden Age of Australian Lighthouses" from 1913 to the early 1920s.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc W 2s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
2s
Raw Code
Oc.W.
Geographic Range
3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1915

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
K3112.4
NGA No.
10082
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7990720 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
30m
Tower Color
yellow

Structure: Yellow column, on pedestal; 16. SICILIA (SICILY) AND ADJACENT ISLANDS (I.) 163

Location

City
Queensland's East Coast
Country
🇦🇺AU
Latitude
-19.2596°
Longitude
146.8217°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Wharton Reef Lighthouse at night?+
Wharton Reef displays the characteristic Oc W 2s — 1 white flash every 2 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 Wharton Reef Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Wharton Reef Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 2 nearby ports. The closest is Townsville at 0.8 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Garbutt (3.1 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Wharton Reef Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Wharton Reef Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
How can I track vessels near Wharton Reef Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Wharton 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.