To mark International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on 17-18 August, AMSA is encouraging New South Wales residents to visit their local lighthouse.
AMSA will run tours at the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at Seal Rocks in conjunction with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for the general public between 9am and 4pm on 17-18 August, 2013.
The 15 metre tall lighthouse was last opened to the public in 2011. Bookings are essential to take part in a free tour and can be made by phoning the NPWS Great Lakes Area office on (02) 6591 0300.
The Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse was completed in 1875, and has remained largely unchanged throughout its history. Other AMSA lighthouses that are open to the public in NSW are located at Cape Byron, Byron Bay and Montague Island (requires boat access). Tours are also provided on demand at Smoky Cape Lighthouse at South West Rocks (phone 02 6566 6301).
AMSA Chief Executive Officer Graham Peachey said lighthouses have been a part of the New South Wales’ coastline for nearly 200 years.
“Australia’s first lighthouse was Macquarie Lighthouse at Dunbar Head near the entrance to Sydney Harbour. The first lighthouse on this site became operational in 1818 and was rebuilt in 1883,” he said.
The Macquarie Lighthouse is also open to the public once every two months. The next tours will be held between 10am and 4pm on 25 August 2013.
Mr Peachey said International Lighthouse Day was held annually across the globe to celebrate the significant role of lighthouses in our history.
“Lighthouses have been used as an aid to navigation for hundreds of years and are a unique part of Australia’s history and coastline,” Mr Peachey said.
“Australia’s coastline has more than 350 lighthouses which have been erected over the past 200 years on islands, beaches and in harbours to improve safety at sea.
“All Australian lighthouses are now automated and continue to play an important role in shipping safety,” Mr Peachey said.
International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend was initiated in 1998 by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in Scotland to promote public awareness of lighthouses and other aids to navigation and their need for preservation and restoration, as well as encouraging amateur radio operators to practice their craft. The Association of Lighthouse Keepers joined the event a few years later to add an open day element to the event.