Flat Top Island Light facts for kids
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| Flat Top Island Light, 1917 | |
| Location | Flat Top Island Mackay Queensland Australia |
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| Coordinates | 21°09′41.4″S 149°14′48.17″E / 21.161500°S 149.2467139°E |
| Year first constructed | 1878 |
| Year first lit | 1879 |
| Automated | about 1920 |
| Deactivated | 2007 |
| Foundation | stone and concrete tower |
| Construction | timber frame clad with galvanized iron |
| Tower shape | conical tower |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red lantern dome |
| Height | 32 feet (9.8 m) |
| Focal height | 174 feet (53 m) |
| Original lens | 4th order |
| Characteristic | Fl (4) WR 20s. (defunct) |
The Flat Top Island Light is an old lighthouse on Flat Top Island. This small island is near the entrance to Mackay harbor in Queensland, Australia. The lighthouse is about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) east of Mackay. It helped ships find their way into the Pioneer River. It also warned them about dangerous shallow areas called shoals and reefs. This lighthouse is special because it's the shortest of its kind in Queensland. It stands about 6 meters (20 feet) from the ground to its light.
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Building the Lighthouse
Plans to build the lighthouse started in February 1877. Archibald McIntyre won the contract to build it in September 1877. Construction began in December 1877 and finished in May 1878.
However, the lighthouse's main light wasn't ready yet. So, a temporary light was used at first. The official light was finally turned on more than a year later, on December 27, 1879.
Lighthouse Design and Features
Like many lighthouses in Queensland from that time, the Flat Top Island Light has a cone shape. It was built with a strong wooden frame inside. The outside was covered with tough galvanized iron plates.
The base of the lighthouse was very strong. It was made of stone and concrete, about 1.2 meters (4 feet) deep. The bottom of the lighthouse was 3.4 meters (11 feet 3 inches) wide. It got narrower towards the top, where it was 2.1 meters (7 feet) wide.
The tower itself was about 6.1 meters (20 feet) tall from the ground to the balcony. This made it the shortest of its type in Queensland. From the ground to the very top, the lighthouse was about 9.4 meters (31 feet) tall. Even though it was short, its light shone from 53 meters (174 feet) above sea level. This high position helped ships see it from far away.
The Lighthouse Beam
The main light installed was a "fourth order dioptric" light. This type of light uses special lenses to make the beam very bright. It could be seen up to 35 kilometers (19 nautical miles) away.
The light usually shone white, showing ships a safe path. But it would turn red over dangerous areas. For example, it was red where it was blocked by Round Top Island. Later, another red section was added to warn about more dangers. Today, the lighthouse is painted white with a red top.
Life of the Lighthouse
In January 1918, a very strong cyclone hit Mackay. The Flat Top Island Light was the only building on the island that survived the storm. This shows how well it was built!
Around 1920, the lighthouse became automated. This meant it no longer needed a person to operate it. Machines took over the job. In 1991, it was still using an acetylene gas burner for its light.
The Flat Top Island Light was turned off in March 2007. It is no longer active, but it is still kept on the island. The last light pattern it showed was four flashes every twenty seconds. The color of the flashes changed between white and red, depending on the direction.
Visiting the Lighthouse
The Flat Top Island Light is not active anymore. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority used to manage it.
Flat Top Island can only be reached by boat. It is not clear if people can visit the lighthouse or the island.
