For a breathtaking view of the coastline, visit one of Australia’s iconic lighthouses. Smoky Cape Lighthouse, completed in 1891, has a unique octagonal shape, and is the highest lighthouse on the east coast. The lighthouse, which was previously known as Point Hicks and Cape Everard, is now lit by solar energy. In 1770, Captain James Cook made his first landfall in Australia.
Originally, lighthouses provided a safety net for shipping, but today their function is mostly ceremonial. The Tasmanian coast is home to a number of historic lighthouses. The Ballina Head Lighthouse, which was built in 1880, is located on the banks of the Richmond River. The Evans Head Lighthouse, constructed in 1879, is relatively elevated and serves its purpose. Other historic lighthouses include Tacking Point Lighthouse and Crowdy Head Lighthouse.
Cape Leveque is the southernmost inhabited point on mainland Australia and is a 19-kilometre walk from town. Accommodation is provided in granite cottages. The rooms feature full kitchens, two bathrooms, and dormitory-style bunk beds. The town is also home to a museum where visitors can view artifacts from the lighthouse’s history.
Eddystone Point lighthouse was built in 1889 on a rocky point that juts out into the ocean. The lighthouse was originally designed by a convict architect named Francis Greenway. It was rebuilt several times and is still used today, although the lighthouse’s lamp was replaced with a kerosene lamp. The lighthouse is one of Sydney’s iconic buildings. Visitors can enjoy a fantastic walk around the area, which is part of the Macquarie Head walk.