Bustard Head Lighthouse
Cape Moreton lighthouse commenced operation in 1857. The new colony of Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859 and in 1868 Bustard Head was established in the new colony.
History
Bustard Head was named by Captain James Cook in 1770, in honour of a bustard which was shot and eaten by the landing party. Along with Sandy Cape Lighthouse it is made using prefabricated segments of cast iron bolted together.
In 1932 the original cottages were destroyed in fire and in 1935 the outside stairs were relocated inside the tower. The lighthouse was automated and de-manned in 1986 and left to the elements.
In 2001 the Bustard Head Lighthouse Association, a volunteer organisation led by Stuart Buchanan obtained a lease and restored the site.
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Title | Address | Description |
---|---|---|
North Reef | Gladstone, QLD, Australia | North Reef |
Cape Capricorn | Unnamed Road, Curtis Island QLD 4680, Australia | Cape Capricorn |
Bustard Head | Unnamed Road, Eurimbula QLD 4677, Australia | Bustard Head |
Lady Elliot Island | Gladstone, QLD, Australia | Lady Elliot Island |
Keepers
We need your help in compiling a list of keepers for this lighthouse. If you have any information then send it to keeper@lighthouses.org.au.
Please include this lighthouse’s name, the keepers full name and what years they were keepers. Also include the same information for any other lights they were on.
Technical Details
First Exhibited | 29th June 1868 |
Architect | Hennet Spinks and Co Bridgewater England |
Status | Active |
Location | Lat: 24° 01.3393'S Long: 151° 45.8472'E |
Original Optic | Chance Bros 2nd Order |
Current Optic | Vega VRB-25 |
Automated | Feb 1985 |
Demanned | 14/7/86 |
Construction | White round cast iron segmental tower, Chance 9'6" Dia. lantern and red dome |
Height | 17 m |
Elevation | 102 m |
Range | Nom: 19 nm Geo: 25 nm |
Character | Fl. W. (2) every 10 secs |
Intensity | 81,620 cd |
Light Source | 12V 100W C8 Halogen |
Power Source | Solar/Diesel |
Operator | AMSA |
Notes | As at June 2023 |
NB: Information is historical data and is not for navigational purposes.
Access
The lighthouse grounds are open all year round accessible only by boat (or LARC).
Tours
LARC tours from the nearby town of 1770 have a day tour to the lightstation and offers access to the tour.
Accommodation
No lighthouse accommodation is available
Museum
One of the keepers cottages and the powerhouse are open as a museum.
Friends Group
Bustard Head Lighthouse Association
Stuart Buchanan
PO Box 90
Samford QLD 4520
Phone: (07) 3289 1827
Links
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Lighthouse/Bustard-Head-Lighthouse-2149721225044090/
https://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/150-years-milestone-for-agnes-lighthouse-with-dark/3451325/
Sources
- Bustard Head Lightstation 1934 Australian Geographic June 29 2015
- Bustard Head Tower and Museum 1770 LARC Tours
- Bustard Head Lighthouse 1898 State Library of Queensland
- Bustard Head Lighthouse (2006) Queensland Heritage Register
- Stuart Buchanan – the light of Bustard Head – Kavanaghs Queensland August 2010
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