Archer Point Light facts for kids
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| Archer Point Light, 2005 | |
 Archer Point Light
Location in Queensland
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| Location | Cooktown Queensland Australia |
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| Coordinates | 15°35′37.51″S 145°19′42.83″E / 15.5937528°S 145.3285639°E |
| Year first constructed | 1883 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1979 (current) |
| Automated | 1979 |
| Construction | concrete tower |
| Tower shape | square prism equipment room with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white lantern |
| Height | 19 feet (5.8 m) |
| Focal height | 213 feet (65 m) |
| Intensity | 35,000 cd |
| Range | white: 17 nmi (31 km) green: 17 nmi (31 km) red: 13 nmi (24 km) |
| Characteristic | Fl (4) WRG 20s. |
| Admiralty number | K3200 |
| NGA number | 111-9888 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-182 |
The Archer Point Light is an active lighthouse located on Archer Point in Queensland, Australia. This point is a grassy headland about 60 meters (197 feet) high. It sits about 14 kilometers (9 miles) southeast of Cooktown. Lighthouses like this one help guide ships safely along the coast.
The first lighthouse at Archer Point was built in 1883. It was made from a timber frame covered with galvanised iron. In 1975, a new, more modern lighthouse was built to replace it. This newer lighthouse has a square concrete base with a lantern on top.
History of Archer Point Light
The Archer Point lighthouse station first started operating in 1883. The original lighthouse looked similar to other lighthouses of its time, like the Low Isles Light. It had a timber frame and was covered in galvanised iron sheets. Inside, it had four floors, and you would use ladders to go from one floor to the next.
This first lighthouse worked together with another light on Rocky Island. They acted as "leading lights". This means they helped ships navigate safely through specific channels. They guided vessels between the Hope Islands and the mainland to the south. They also helped ships avoid reefs to the north.
In 1975, the current lighthouse was built. From the very beginning, this new lighthouse was designed to be automatic and run on electricity. You can still see the base of the old lighthouse at the site today. The original lenses from the first lighthouse are now on display at the Queensland Maritime Museum.
How the Current Light Works
The lighthouse you see today is a square concrete building with the light on top. It was the last of seven modern concrete lighthouses built in Queensland between 1964 and 1979. Other lighthouses in this group include the Cape Capricorn Light and the Point Danger Light.
The light from Archer Point has a special pattern, called a light characteristic. It flashes four times every twenty seconds. The light shows different colors depending on where a ship is.
- White light shows the clear and safe path for ships.
- Green light and Red light warn ships that they are outside the safe channel.
The light itself is very bright, like a powerful 35,000 cd bulb. It uses a 120 Volt, 1000 Watt Tungsten-halogen bulb. It gets its power from the main electricity supply. If there's a power cut, a diesel generator automatically starts up to keep the light working.
Visiting Archer Point Light
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority manages and operates the Archer Point Light. The area around the lighthouse is open to the public. You can reach it by driving on a gravel road. However, the lighthouse tower itself is closed and you cannot go inside.
