Lighthouses of the 20th Century

The Lighthouses of the 20th Century stamp issue, released by Australia Post on 2 May 2006, features lighthouses from those states and territories not represented in the 2002 Australia Post lighthouse stamp issue.

The lighthouses featured in this issue - and pictured above from left to right - are:

Point Lonsdale, Vic (1902), Cape Don, Northern Territory (1917), Wollongong Head, New South Wales (1937), Casuarina Point, Western Australia (1971) and
Point Cartwright, Queensland (1979).

Point Lonsdale Victoria – built 1902
Located at Point Lonsdale, 105 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, this lighthouse identifies the notorious entrance to Port Phillip Bay, known as The Rip, where ocean and bay waters collide through an outlet only one kilometre wide.

Cape Don Northern Territory – built 1917
The most remote lighthouse in the series is Cape Don, located on the Cobourg Peninsula, 160 kilometres flying distance from Darwin, which was constructed when the Commonwealth Government realised that the passage between the peninsula and Melville Island was an unlit route to Darwin. Construction proved to be extremely difficult because of its remoteness, the short construction season and tropical heat. Materials were sourced from Melbourne, and a special jetty and tramway were constructed through the outlying reefs and mangroves to transport materials to the site. It took three dry seasons to complete. Cape Don was automated and demanned in 1983.

Wollongong Head New South Wales - built 1937
Wollongong Head lighthouse, located 80 kilometres from Sydney has never been manned and was the first fully automatic, flashing lighthouse in New South Wales. It replaced an earlier one, built on the harbour breakwater in 1872.

Casuarina Point Western Australia - built1971
Located near Bunbury, 190 kilometres south of Perth, Casuarina Point is the most eye-catching of the lighthouses in the issue, with its distinctive black-and-white chequered, rocket-shaped tower. It remains a mystery why the lighthouse is painted in this way despite its relatively recent construction.

Point Cartwright Queensland - built 1979
Located at Mooloolaba, 100 kilometres north of Brisbane, Point Cartwright was the third lighthouse built to guide ships into Moreton Bay from the north. The previous two, located in Caloundra, had to be replaced because of high-rise buildings that obscured their lights.


Individual stamps for Lighthouses of the 20th Century are 50c each. Australia Post has also produced a prestige booklet which features information about the lighthouses and all five stamps for $10.95 (see image left).

All products are available at participating Australia Post outlets from 2 May 2006. The new stamp and product range are also available via mail order on 1800 331 794 and overseas customers can purchase online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps.