Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Australia - Wollongong Head Lighthouses

Wollongong Harbour is the only point on the eastern coast of Australia which has two lighthouses at a lovely seaside town called Shell harbour, which is about an hour and a half’s drive South of Sydney on the East coast of Australia Located on Flagstaff Point the newer lighthouse on Wollongong Head assists the passage of vessels into Port Kembla.  Completed in 1936, by the Department of Shipping and Transport, it was the first new lighthouse in New South Wales since 1903. The tower is constructed of reinforced concrete and replaced several earlier lights.  It was built to service as a coastal light and Port Kembla, to the south of Flagstaff Point. Up until now the only aid had been the old Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse situated on the Belmore Basin to the north. The lighthouse was built in 1871, is situated in the Belmore Basin on the southern breakwater The Breakwater light was discontinued in 1974. This card was sent to me by Emma.