Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouses
These are two of the remaining four intact and operating stone lighthouse structures on the west coast. The other two, Wadjemup (1894) and Bathurst (1900), are on Rottnest Island. All other operating lighthouses in Western Australia were fabricated from steel, concrete and brick. The main Rottnest lighthouse (Wadjemup) was awarded an Historic Engineering Marker by Engineers Australia in 1996.
The lighthouses were built to support coastal shipping in general, making it safer and more reliable, which encouraged the development of local industries and subsequent growth and prosperity of communities. The lighthouse system in the south west (dominated by the Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste lights) was instrumental in the growth of the timber industry in that region, which relied on ships to transport the heavy cargoes. It also guided ships travelling from Europe to the eastern colonies, warning them of the hazards for vessels passing by the treacherous south west corner of the continent. The Cape Leeuwin light in particular was essential for the safety of vessels travelling from Europe to the eastern colonies (or eastern 'States' after 1901).
Today, the lights continue to operate for the benefit of coastal shipping and leisure craft. The precincts are tourist attractions greatly valued by the local communities of the area.
Click for directions to the see the Leeuwin Lighthouse heritage marker
Click for directions to the see the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse heritage marker
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage National Marker (EHNM) |
| Award Date | 7 December 2018 |
| Prominent People | Sir John Forrest, Charles Palmer, Chance Brothers, William Douglass, Maurice Davies, John Wishart |
| Nomination Document | Available here |
| Ceremony Report | None available |
| Interpretation Panel | Cape Leeuwin IP available here Cape Naturaliste IP available here |
