Cape Wickham Lighthouse Tasmania is one of the most spectacular lighthouses in the world. Located on King Island at the southern tip of Tasmania, it is the tallest lighthouse in Australia and the fifth tallest in the world. The light from its tower can be seen for up to 30 nautical miles, making it an essential aid to navigation in the Bass Strait. The Cape Wickham Lighthouse was completed in 1861 and has been in operation ever since. It is still an active lighthouse staffed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

The Cape Wickham Lighthouse was built as part of a program to mark the southern entrance to the Bass Strait. In 1859 the lighthouse at Cape Otway (1848) was destroyed by fire, and a new lighthouse was constructed at Cape Nelson. The following year a lightship was placed at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, in the southeast corner of Victoria. These two lights formed a pair of leading lights marking the entrance to the port of Melbourne.

The Cape Wickham Lighthouse was built on the same principle, with a lighthouse and a lightship marking the southern entrance to the Bass Strait. It was constructed to the west of Cape Wickham on the island's highest point, and it was visible from a distance and had a range of. The lighthouse is made of bluestone, brick and cast iron.

Cape Wickham Lighthouse

King Island - Cape Wickham Lighthouse

Visit Cape Wickham Lighthouse on King Island for breathtaking coastal views, a historic beacon guiding sailors, and a picturesque setting perfect for exploring and photography.

In 1833, John Batman discovered the site of what is now known as Currie Lighthouse while searching for a suitable location to build a port for the fledgling town of Hobart. Construction of the lighthouse began in 1839 and was completed in 1841. The light from the tower's lantern room was lit on 1 December 1841. The Currie Lighthouse is one of Tasmania's most iconic landmarks and is still in operation today.

Governor George Arthur officially opened the lighthouse on 1st December 1841. The opening ceremony was attended by a group of local Aboriginal people who were treated to a fireworks display after the speeches had been given and before the light from the tower was lit for the first time. Currie Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in Australia.

The present lighthouse is a concrete structure with a lens lantern and a red vertical stripe on each side. It has a focal plane above sea level, emitting two white flashes every 15 seconds. The lighthouse was originally constructed in 1881 using local limestone. The original light source was a fixed lens lantern with a bright oil wick burner and hand-operated wick trimming mechanism. In 1952, the light was electrified. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority maintains the lighthouse.

Currie Lighthouse

King Island - Currie Lighthouse

Visit Currie Lighthouse on King Island for stunning coastal views, historical charm, and a glimpse into the island's maritime history, perfect for sightseeing and photography.

The Huxley Hill Wind Farm is a unique, cutting-edge renewable energy development located on the beautiful King Island, Tasmania. The wind farm, which has been operational since 2008 and is owned and managed by Hydro Tasmania, is one of the largest wind farms in Australia. The project involves the construction of 83 turbines with a total generating capacity of 243 MW – enough to power 80,000 homes every year with clean, affordable and reliable electricity. The turbines are spread across 19 individual sites over an area of more than 20 km2. This makes it one of the most efficient wind farms in the world, as it maximizes its potential output from smaller plots of land.

Overall, Huxley Hill Wind Farm helps reduce Australia's carbon footprint by producing large amounts of green energy for consumers at competitive prices. The Huxley Hill Wind Farm on King Island has a fascinating history that dates back to the early 2000s. The site was initially identified as an ideal wind farm location in 2001, but it was in 2006 that a joint venture between Hydro Tasmania and Roaring 40s began actively developing the project. By 2008 the project was up and running, with eight turbines generating enough electricity to supply 1,000 homes.

Since then, Huxley Hill Wind Farm has been powering King Island with clean energy for over a decade. It remains one of Australia's most successful wind farms due to its reliable generation capabilities, low operating costs and commitment to sustainable development practices. With plans for expansion underway, this iconic site will make its mark in Australian renewable energy for years to come.

Huxley Hill Wind Farm

King Island -huxley Hill Wind Farm

Explore Huxley Hill Wind Farm on King Island to witness sustainable energy in action, enjoy panoramic views, and learn about renewable energy through informative displays.

The King Island Cultural Centre is a community hub that offers a range of facilities and services to the island's residents. The centre houses a library, museum, art gallery, and theatre and hosts regular events and workshops. It is also a valuable resource for the island community, providing opportunities for social interaction, creativity, and learning.

The King Island Arts Council was established in 1996 to promote and support the arts on King Island. It organises art exhibitions, workshops and events such as the King Island Art Prize, the Young Art Award and the King Island Poetry Competition. The King Island Theatre, which a dedicated group of volunteers runs, offers a wide range of productions, including musicals, plays and films. The King Island Historical Society was established in 1989 to preserve the history of King Island. It operates the King Island Historical Museum and organises various activities and events throughout the year.

The centre also provides a venue for the island's cultural events, such as its annual film festival, which takes place in May each year. The King Island Film Festival is an important event that allows locals to celebrate their passion for filmmaking and screen some of the best films by islanders. The festival also allows the community to come together and enjoy films made by islanders. The film festival's popularity has grown recently, with the number of entries increasing each year. The festival is now the largest film festival in Tasmania, with approximately 300 entries each year. The King Island Film Festival is one of the few festivals in Australia that provides a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work and receive recognition from the community.

King Island Cultural Centre

Visit the King Island Cultural Centre to experience local art, indigenous culture, and island heritage through dynamic exhibits and community events in a welcoming space.

The King Island Historical Museum is located in the small town of Currie on King Island in Tasmania. The museum is housed in an old stone building that was once a schoolhouse. The museum has a collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the island's history and people. The museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.

The museum also maintains an extensive collection of historical photographs to be viewed on request. The museum is located in the centre of Currie on King Island. The King Island Historical Museum collections date back to the 1870s and include mining, wool, agriculture and fishing equipment. This area has several interesting historical buildings, including the King Island Post Office and the Grand Hotel, which was built in 1891. The King Island Post Office is a two-story brick building built in 1881. It has a slate roof and an unusual tower that has been compared to the one on St. Martin's Church. The King Island Post Office was the first in Australia to be fully automated. The Grand Hotel is of Italianate design and was built in 1891.

The museum also has exhibits on the island's maritime history and its role in the sealing and whaling industries. If you are interested in the history of King Island and its people, a visit to the King Island Historical Museum is a must.

King Island Historical Museum

Explore the King Island Historical Museum to delve into local history, maritime heritage, and unique island stories through engaging exhibits and well-preserved artifacts.

Top 5 Man Made Attractions in King Island

Cape Wickham Lighthouse

Currie Lighthouse

Huxley Hill Wind Farm

King Island Cultural Centre

King Island Historical Museum

Top 5 Man Made Attractions in
King Island