Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Quarters

Statement of Significance

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Quarters is a significant feature in the natural landscape. The bulky fence lines and the squat presence of the cottages, contrasts sharply with the natural, scrubby vegetation. Rising above all this is the pristine whiteness of the lighthouse tower, which appears almost isolated from the other features. In combination with the topography of the Cape, the place is a prominent visual landmark, especially from the ocean. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Quarters was an important link in the development of coastal lights which eventually circled mainland Australia, following an inter-colonial conference held in 1873 that recognised the need for additional lights along the Australian coastline. The slower development of coastal lights in Western Australia than in other States was directly related to less shipping on the west coast and a lack of government funds. The discovery of gold in Western Australian in the 1890s permitted Western Australia to begin an active government building programme, which included the construction of lighthouses. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Quarters represents a later part of this increased building program. The erection of adequate navigational aides was important to the local industries which depended on coastal shipping to either transport their The Chance Brothers lens and optical equipment is still in operation in the lighthouse and is a piece of precision engineering equipment which has continued in perfect working order since 1903. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Quarters was occupied by keepers for nearly 100 years. The archaeological information retained beneath the floorboards of the cottages and in the refuse dumps, could give invaluable information about the lives and habits of these isolated families. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Quarters is highly valued by the local community as it has become an important tourist destination for visitors. The importance of Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Quarters has been recognised by the Heritage Council of Western Australia, the Australian Heritage Commission and also by the people of Augusta-Margaret River who have placed the buildings on their local Municipal Inventory. The lighthouse still plays an on-going role in the local maritime community.

Physical Description

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Quarters comprises the 20 metre stone lighthouse tower (1904) and three stone cottages with detached stone laundries and toilets for the cottages (1904), three timber framed buildings clad with asbestos cement: a store (1940s), shed (1940s) and garage (1948), and a brick power house and store (1973). The site is divided into two distinct sections: the lighthouse precinct and the residential precinct. Sealed, bitumen paths link the precincts. The lighthouse precinct is located on the highest point of the bluff, and includes the lighthouse, the new power house and weather recording equipment. A cyclone mesh fence fully encloses the lighthouse precinct. The residential precinct lies approximately 170 metres to the south of the lighthouse, it includes the three cottages, laundries, toilets and associated buildings. The 20 metre tall circular tower is constructed from locally quarried limestone. The walls are coursed, quarry faced stonework with dressed margins to the stones around the plinth and openings. The balcony platform is moulded concrete that has been rendered. An iron balustrade runs around the outer edge of the balcony. An aluminium mesh has been placed around the balustrade. The lantern house is cast iron with diamond shaped window panes. The whole of the exterior has been painted white. The three stone quarters (Buildings 2, 3 and 4) are identical in layout, with the exception of Residence 1 (Building 2), which has been altered by enclosing the eastern verandah to provide space for a kitchen. All of the buildings are constructed from random coursed limestone (which has been painted). The hipped roofs are covered with corrugated metal sheeting. The verandahs have been enclosed with cement sheeting on a timer frame. The chimneys are rendered.

History

The 1890s gold rush enabled the Western Australian government to undertake several capital works programs, including the construction of lighthouses such as Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse (CNLH). The CNLH stands on a 100 metre bluff overlooking Geographe Bay. It was built over a ten month period during 1903 at an estimated cost of 4,800 pounds. Before the lighthouse was built most mariners depended on ‘The Tub’ as a landmark. This was a barrel on top of a 30 foot pole erected in Busselton, to mark the best landing place for passengers and stores. The roughly-hewn, grey, circular tower of CNLH is 20 metres high. Its 14 foot diameter lantern was manufactured by Chance Brothers of Birmingham, England, who supplied the equipment for most of Australia’s early lighthouses. Three keepers and their families originally lived at the Cape and the three original lighthouse keepers’ quarters are still standing. Life revolved around night watches which were divided into three periods, one for each man. During each watch the keeper had to wind the clockwork and pump kerosene to the burner. Life was hard for the keepers and their families. With no paid annual leave or travel assistance, lighthouse keepers often remained at their isolated stations for many years. Once a fortnight stores were delivered from Busselton. The nearest school was 20 kilometres (14 miles) away at Quindalup. The three stands inside the base of the tower were originally tank stands for fresh water. The steps leading up inside the tower are made from blocks of Burmese teak, dowelled together and set end-grain up for long wearing. This remarkable method of joinery has successfully withstood the test of time. The lighthouse’s apparatus consists of the original Fresnel lens, made of lead crystal, driven by an electric motor. Originally a clockwork mechanism rotated the lens which, including the turntable, weighs about 12.5 tons. The turntable is hollow and contains 156.5kg of mercury (less than 12 litres) on which the lens floats. The original shipment of mercury for the CNLH arrived safely from England, only to be lost overboard while being unloaded at Quindalup jetty. The lighthouse was converted to automatic operation in July 1978, and the last lighthouse keeper left in 1996; CNLH was the last manned lighthouse on mainland Australia. The station is connected to mains electricity with a battery bank as an emergency back-up. All maintenance is now performed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The light’s white beam is visible for 25 nautical miles (46 km) and identifies itself to mariners by flashing twice every 10 seconds with a 2.5 and 7.5 second interval. In recent years, conservation works have been undertaken to remove asbestos from earlier programs of work.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Degree/High Degree Integrity Notes: All of the original stone structures of the lighthouse remain. Some changes have occurred to the quarters with the addition of tanks and fencing. The place retains a high degree of integrity. Authenticity Notes: Most of the major architectural features such as chimneys, verandah posts and joinery have been retained during the modification process. The original casement windows in the quarters have been replaced with fixed glass; the ground floor oil tanks removed and aluminium mesh fencing placed around the balcony railing. The basic floor plan and internal finishes have not been significantly altered. The place retains a high degree of authenticity.

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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