Old Caloundra Light on the right, New Caloundra Light on the left, 2008
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Queensland
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Location |
Caloundra Queensland Australia |
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Coordinates | 26°48′05.91″S 153°08′14.8″E / 26.8016417°S 153.137444°ECoordinates: 26°48′05.91″S 153°08′14.8″E / 26.8016417°S 153.137444°E |
Year first constructed | 1896 |
Automated | 1942 |
Deactivated | 1968 |
Construction | timber frame clad with corrugated iron |
Tower shape | conical tower with balcony and lantern |
Markings / pattern | white tower, red lantern dome |
Height | 39 feet (12 m) |
Focal height | 52 feet (16 m) |
Original lens | fourth order Chance Brothers dioptric |
Light source | mains power |
Range | 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) |
ARLHS number | AUS-253 |
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Old Caloundra Light, also known as Old Caloundra Head Light or Cape Caloundra Light, is an inactive lighthouse located in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland, Australia. It is the oldest surviving building in Caloundra. The lighthouse was active between 1896 and 1968. The tower was relocated twice. In 1970 it was relocated from its original location to Woorim Park in Caloundra, and in 1999 it was returned to its original site on Canberra Terrace near downtown Caloundra, where it stands today.
The need for a lighthouse at Caloundra Head arose in 1879 with the sounding of the North West Channel, a deep water channel into Moreton Bay and the Port of Brisbane, the principal port of Queensland. The channel went from Caloundra Head along the eastern shore of Bribie Island. Although the channel became the most used entry channel into the port, it was only lit in 1896, when a pair of mobile leading lights were established on Bribie Island, the Caloundra Head Light was constructed. Tenders were called in 1896, and the stations were constructed by day labor. Materials for construction were shipped by barge from Brisbane. The lighthouse was the fifth in a group of eight lighthouses of its type, made of hardwood frame clad with corrugated iron, which included, by order of establishment Little Sea Hill Light, Grassy Hill Light, Goods Island Light, Bay Rock Light, itself, North Point Hummock Light (demolished), Gatcombe Head Light (demolished) and Bulwer Island Light. Though the main purpose of the light was to mark the entrance to the North West Channel it also served as a harbour light.