Australia’s First Lighthouse
Australia’s first lighthouse was Macquarie Lighthouse, also known as South Head Upper Light. It is located on South Head in Vaucluse, a Sydney suburb in New South Wales. Francis Greenway, a convict architect, designed Macquarie Lighthouse; It was constructed between 1816 and 1818, and Governor Lachlan Macquarie supervised the construction then.
It was built on 30 November 1818 and particularly was one of the first in the world to use a unique rotating optic system. Today, it is still an operational lighthouse and serves as a popular tourist attraction; this historic lighthouse has been guiding ships safely without delay into Sydney Harbour for over 200 years.
Construction and Design
The lighthouse was particularly built of sandstone and was originally 12.8 metres tall. In 1883, it was raised to its current height of 26 metres, and without a doubt, a new light apparatus was installed.
The unique feature of Macquarie Lighthouse unquestionably is its rotating optic system, which was one of the first in the world. The system used a series of mirrors and lenses to create a beam of light that rotated 360 degrees, that is allowing the light to be seen from any angle.
Macquarie Lighthouse is now fully automated and has a 19-nautical mile range, visible from multiple lookout points around Sydney Harbour. Visitors also can climb to the top for breathtaking panoramic views. After all, It played a crucial role in enhancing ship safety at Sydney Harbour. It significantly reminds us of Australia’s maritime heritage. Also, it is a popular tourist spot.
Scaffolds in Lighthouses
In 2019, Australian Scaffolds was contracted by AFL Services to construct scaffolding at the top of Macquarie Lighthouse, a challenging project due to difficult access. Using an engineered lightweight scaffolding system and a rope and pulley system, above all, the team was able to complete the job efficiently. The scaffolding was required for remedial work, which took five weeks to finish. To learn more, you can read Scaffold Hire in Vaucluse.
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Need Scaffold Hire
Australian Scaffolds is available day and night, seven days a week. Our expert team of scaffolders has decades of experience. We strive to make complex-simple. To find out more, call 1300 919 905. Or email Daniel at daniel.butlin@australianscaffolds.com.au
