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Lighthouses

The first lighthouse to be built in South Australia was in 1852 at Cape Willoughby. The 27-metre high tower is open for tours daily and provides spectacular views.

Cape Borda Lighthouse opened on 5 July 1858. A small cannon that stands nearby was used to signal ships of danger before the days of radio. Cape Borda forms part of Flinders Chase National Park. Tours of the lighthouse and museum are conducted daily. Nearby is Harvey's Return, the old landing site for the lightstation and the historic lightkeeper's cemetery.

Cape du Couedic opened in 1909. The remains of a jetty, water tank and storeroom can be seen at Weir's Cove, a spectacular site, from where the building materials and other supplies were hauled by flying fox to the top of the cliffs.

Cape Borda Lightstation

Location: Cape Borda, Playford Highway Map Reference: B1 Opening Hours: 11am-2pm daily, check for tour times, extended in school holiday periods Telephone: (08) 8553 4465 Cape Borda Ligthouse stands testament to a long gone era. Perched high above the ocean, the lighthouse was built in 1858 to guide sailing ships arriving off the 'roaring forties' trade winds. In addition to guided tours of the lighthouse and museum (including the daily firing of the restored signal cannon on the 12.30 pm tour), you can also visit the lightkeepers' cemetery, which offers a fascinating insight into the isolation and hardships of the lighthouse keepers and their families.

Cape Willoughby Lightstation

Location: Cape Willoughby Road Map Reference: C10 Opening Hours: 11am-2pm daily, check for tour times, extended in school holiday periods Telephone: (08) 8553 4466 Visit South Australia's first lighthouse. Cape Willoughby Lightstation is located on a 17-hectare property comprising the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse (Sturt Light) and lighthouse keepers' cottages. Cape Willoughby Lighthouse was the first lighthouse built in South Australia, beginning operation in 1852 to assist the safe and economic operation of the rapidly expanding coastal shipping trade between the eastern colonies and the colony of South Australia via Backstairs Passage. A guided tour is a must, visiting the museum as well as climbing to the top of the lighthouse where the views stretch as far as the eye can see.