Not only does the Fraser Island Lighthouse
no longer exist, neither does Fraser
Island!
The Fraser Island Light replaced the Point
Cloates Lighthouse (Ruin) which was damaged by earthquakes. After Fraser Island and
her light disappeared, a temporary light was displayed until a new Light was
positioned back on the coast on Perth Hill, a short
distance from the original Point Cloates Lighthouse light, and was first
exhibited on July 16, 1966. The Lights were
originally important for the whaling industry which was located in Norwegian
Bay and for the passing pearling luggers and transport ships along the NW
coast to Singapore.
Initially when the Lighthouse was built it was
described as being on a sandy islet 23ft high with the acetylene gas fuelled light exhibited at an
elevation of 97ft from a framework tower74ft high. (Ref:
Cumming et al) The tower was
repaired in 1949 and later destroyed about 1966 when strong winds literally
blew the island away from the base of the lighthouse tower as can be seen in
the photos below.
