Lighthouse Celebration Marks 150 years

Shining a Light on the Great Barrier Reef for 150 Years

This week marks a unique milestone for Lady Elliot Island, celebrating 150 years of Lighthouse technology and evolution. The Islands unique and charismatic Lighthouse was built in 1873 and on the anniversary, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort are excited to announce the opening of a brand-new Heritage Museum and Precinct on the 14th of November 2023.

“To mark this special occasion, our team at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort are hosting various tours, activities and presentations. Much to our guests wonder, a light show display of imagery will be projected onto the red and white lighthouse once nighttime falls. This is a significant milestone ensuring to preserve the cultural heritage of the island and the story of lighthouse keepers from our past.”
Peter Gash, Managing Director/Custodian Lady Elliot Island

The Heritage Museum now open to guests will take you back in time and delve into the unique way of life for the Lighthouse Keepers and their families. Now home to the tales and stories of the men and women who have played their own pivotal roles during that time it will provide a rare insight to life on a lightstation.

Picture it’s the 1870’s, an era when the Great Barrier Reef was a largely uncharted frontier. Sailors, navigating these treacherous waters, relied on the stars and their instincts to avoid catastrophe. It was in this challenging maritime landscape that the idea of the Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse was born. The first light from the Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse pierced the darkness of the Coral Sea, guiding mariners safely through the Great Barrier Reef. It was a triumph of human engineering and a testament to our unwavering determination to conquer the elements.

“I always loved the romance of the kerosene light; you had a feeling of just being. I loved the mateship, the comradery, people were always willing to help, and family – the kids grew up there, we taught them school”
John Denman, Lighthouse Keeper, Lady Elliot Island 1974–1976

The Lady Elliot Island Lighthouse is of National Significance following Commonwealth Heritage Listing in 2004. The Lighthouse demonstrates local development and technology being the first example of a timber and iron lighthouse in Queensland. The heritage values of the lighthouse and associated buildings are managed through a co-operative partnership between the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service managing field operations across the Great Barrier Reef. The Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort undertakes maintenance to ensure the heritage values of the lighthouse are protected and conserved for everyone to appreciate and enjoy into the future.

“The lightstation is a significant landmark feature at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The new Heritage Museum provides a wonderful opportunity to present and transmit the historic heritage values of the lightstation to all generations”
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort would like to thank the generous people who have dedicated their time and memorabilia to bring the Heritage Museum to life.

Lady Elliot Island lies within the Great Barrier Reef Sea Country of the Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Byellee and Taribelang Bunda Traditional Owner groups. We respectfully acknowledge the continuing sea country management and custodianship of the Great Barrier Reef by Traditional Owners.

For further information and interviews please contact: Stacey Cain | stacey@ladyelliot.com.au | 0407 581 628