Cape Banks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cape Banks South Australia
Cape Banks Lighthouse
Cape Banks Location in South Australia
Elevation	15 m (49 ft)
Location	36 km (22 mi) west south-west of Mount Gambier

Cape Banks is a piece of land that sticks out into the ocean, also known as a headland. It's found in South Australia, a state in Australia. This headland is part of a place called Carpenter Rocks, located on the southeastern coast. It sits between two bays: Bucks Bay to its north and Bungaloo Bay to its south. Cape Banks is about 36 kilometers (22 miles) west-southwest of the city of Mount Gambier.

What is Cape Banks?

Cape Banks is a rocky point that rises about 15 meters (49 feet) above sea level. Another way to describe it is as a "cuspate foreland." This means it's a triangular piece of land that extends about 500 meters (1,640 feet) into the sea. It is protected by rocks and reefs made of a type of limestone called calcarenite.

How Cape Banks Got Its Name

The name "Cape Banks" was given by a British naval officer named James Grant. He explored this area on December 3, 1800.

Important Note About the Lighthouse

You might hear about the Cape Banks Lighthouse. However, this lighthouse is not actually on Cape Banks itself. It's located on a different headland nearby. This other headland is found at the northern end of Lighthouse Bay. Lighthouse Bay is the next bay just northwest of Bucks Bay.

Don't Get Confused!

There are two places named Cape Banks in Australia. This article is about the one in South Australia. There is also a Cape Banks in New South Wales, which is the northern headland of Botany Bay. Make sure you don't mix them up!