Point Lowly Lighthouse

The Lowly Point Lighthouse stands out on a point jutting into the northern end of the Spencer Gulf.

This light was re-activated in 1995 by the Whyalla City Council.

History

The lighthouse was built in 1883 after the conditions were found to be unsatisfactory for the continued use of a lightship at that location.

It is the oldest building in the Whyalla area and was used to assist ships going to Augusta and Port Pirie.

The original structure was 15 metres in height and was made from local sandstone. Its optical apparatus had an eight side catadioptric lens that revolved once every 80 seconds and gave a 2 second flash every 10 seconds. The light source was a wick burner fuelled by mineral oil. Supplies were landed by boat from Port Pirie on the opposite side of the Gulf.

After a number of incidents the height of the light was raised by 7.6 metres to its current level in 1909. At this time a kerosene vaporising light unit was installed.

The light was demanned in 1973 after the installation of a Stone Chance Power Beam Beacon on the balcony, which was powered by batteries. In 1979, the light was connected to mains electricity and the lens and lamp were upgraded in this process.

The light was turn off in 1993 by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority as it believed it was no longer necessary.

 

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Title Address Description
Cape Donnington
3035 Donington Rd, Lincoln National Park SA 5607, AustraliaGo to Cape Donnington
South Neptune Island
South Australia, AustraliaGo to South Neptune Island
Point Lowly
LOT 2 Port Bonython Rd, Point Lowly SA 5600, AustraliaGo to Point Lowly
Port Germein
35 Esplanade, Port Germein SA 5495, AustraliaGo to Port Germein
Warburto Point
Unnamed Road, Warburto SA 5558, AustraliaGo to Tiparra Reef
Tiparra Reef
Tiparra Reef, South Australia, AustraliaGo to Tiparra Reef
Wardang Island
Unnamed Road, South Australia 5573, AustraliaGo to Wardang Island
Althorpe Island (Lead)
Pondalowie Bay Rd, Inneston SA 5577, AustraliaGo to Althorpe Island
West Cape
Pondalowie Bay Rd, Inneston SA 5577, AustraliaGo to West Cape
Althorpe Island
Pondalowie Bay Rd, Inneston SA 5577, AustraliaGo to Althorpe Island
Cape Spencer
Cape Spencer Rd, Inneston SA 5577, AustraliaGo to Cape Spencer
Corny Point
368 Lighthouse Rd, Corny Point SA 5575, AustraliaGo to Corny Point
Troubridge Hill
90 Clan Ranald Rd, Honiton SA 5576, AustraliaGo to Troubridge Hill
Troubridge Shoal
93 Sultana Point Rd, Sultana Point SA 5583, AustraliaGo to Troubridge Shoal
Port Adelaide
2A McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide SA 5015, AustraliaGo to Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide (Heritage)
Unit 6/26-28 S Australia One Dr, North Haven SA 5018, AustraliaGo to Port Adelaide
Marino Rocks
Marino Rocks Lighthouse, 40 Bundarra Rd, Marino SA 5049, AustraliaMarino Rocks
Wonga Shoal
Wonga Shoal, South Australia, AustraliaGo to Wonga Shoal
Cape Jervis
Wonga Shoal, South Australia, AustraliaGo to Cape Jervis

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
Permanent Tower
CurrentTower
Architect
Status
Location
Original Optic
Current Optic
Automated
Demanned
Construction
Height
Elevation
Range
Character
Intensity
Light Source
Power Source
Operator
Custodian
Notes
  NB: Information is historical data and is not for navigational purposes.

Access

The lighthouse reserve is accessible to the public. The road is a sealed bitumen road from Whyalla to the lighthouse at Port Bonython. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

Tours

No tours are available.

Accommodation

It is possible to stay in the old keepers cottages.