Woody Island Lighthouses facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woody Island Lighthouses |
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Middle Bluff Lighthouse
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| Location | Big Woody Island in the Great Sandy Strait, Hervey Bay Fraser Coast Region Queensland  Australia |
| Design period | 1840s–1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | 1866–1870 |
| Official name: Woody Island Lighthouses & Ancillary Building Site | |
| Type | state heritage (archaeological, built, landscape) |
| Designated | 30 March 2001 |
| Reference no. | 602169 |
| Significant period | 1860s–1870s, 1930s, 1950s, 1980s (historical) 1866–ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | lighthouse/light station, views to, burial/grave, headstone, views from, shed – storage |
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The Woody Island Lighthouses are two historic lighthouses located on Big Woody Island in Queensland, Australia. They were built between 1866 and 1870. These lighthouses helped guide ships safely through the waters of Hervey Bay. Today, they are protected as part of Queensland's heritage.
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Why Were Lighthouses Needed?
Back in 1859, Queensland became its own colony, separate from New South Wales. This new colony had a very long coastline, over 5,000 kilometers (about 3,100 miles) long. But there were hardly any lighthouses to guide ships. The only one was the Cape Moreton Light.
Maryborough, a town settled in 1847, was an important port. Ships carried wool from inland areas and brought new settlers. However, getting into Maryborough was tricky. Ships had to pass through Hervey Bay, which had many hidden sandbanks. Ships could easily get stuck.
A safe channel ran through Hervey Bay. It went past Woody Island and Fraser Island, leading into the Mary River. Lighthouses were needed to mark this path and keep ships safe.
The Role of the Portmaster
In 1862, the Queensland government appointed Commander George Poynter Heath as the Portmaster. He was in charge of all harbors, lighthouses, and pilots. During his 33 years in this job, Heath helped open 13 new ports. He also set up 33 lighthouses and many smaller lights. He even marked the safe shipping route through the Great Barrier Reef.
Building the Woody Island Lighthouses
The government decided to build two lighthouses on Woody Island. These were designed by the Office of the Colonial Architect, Charles Tiffin. Construction began in 1866. The towers were finished that year. The special lanterns and lenses were installed in 1867.
The lighthouses were made of timber and were quite unique. They were designed to work together as "twin lights." This meant that when sailors saw the two lights line up, they knew they were on the right path.
Life as a Lightkeeper
John Simpson was the first lightkeeper at Woody Island. He started his job on October 1, 1867. The two lights were about two nautical miles apart. This made it hard for one keeper to manage both, especially if there was an emergency.
Initially, a keeper's house was built at North Bluff. The main light was at Middle Bluff, but a house wasn't built there until 1868. Both lighthouses had signal masts. A storage shed was built on the beach to hold kerosene for the lights and other supplies.
To solve the problem of having only one keeper, an assistant lightkeeper was hired in 1868. A second house was built for the assistant at North Bluff. This made sure both lights could be looked after properly.
Connecting the Island
In 1870, a telegraph line was built to Woody Island. This line connected the island to the mainland at Urangan and then to Maryborough. It crossed underwater to reach the island. This allowed the lightkeepers to send messages about approaching ships. It also meant they could get help quickly if needed.
Later, in 1903, the telegraph line was extended from Woody Island to the Sandy Cape Lightstation on Fraser Island. This improved communication even further.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, Woody Island saw some changes. In 1871, it became a reserve for the Queensland Acclimatisation Society. They tried to introduce rabbits to the island in 1866. The rabbits stayed until 1952, when a disease called myxomatosis wiped them out.
One lightkeeper, Mr. Sheridan, planted 200 coconut trees in 1871. Sadly, only one of these trees survived.
John Simpson, the first lightkeeper, left in 1870. Peter Hardie took over and stayed until 1897. In 1883, Hardie's daughter, Sarah May Hardie, died and was buried on the island. Her grave is still there today. It is thought that other unmarked graves might be in the same area.
Originally, much of Woody Island was cleared of trees. This allowed a clear view of the lighthouses from the mainland. Today, many trees have grown back, covering much of the island.
Automation and Closure
Technology changed how lighthouses worked. On June 21, 1937, the North Bluff light became automatic. It ran on gas and no longer needed a keeper. The North Bluff Lighthouse closed completely on June 17, 1959.
At the same time, the Middle Bluff Lighthouse also became automatic, running on gas. In 1985, it was updated to use solar power. However, it was closed just two years later, in 1987.
After the lighthouses became automatic, the keepers' houses were taken down in the 1960s. In 1960, Woody Island became a national park, protecting its natural beauty.
Exploring Woody Island Today
Woody Island is about five kilometers (three miles) east of Urangan. It's a large island, about eleven kilometers (seven miles) long. It has rolling hills and is covered in hardwood trees. There are two main clearings where the lighthouses once stood.
The lighthouses are no longer working, but they are still important historical sites.
Middle Bluff Lighthouse
The Middle Bluff lighthouse is mostly still in good shape. It has a timber frame covered with wooden boards. The lamp and lenses have been removed. The glass in the lamp room has been replaced with plastic. Inside, a wooden ladder leads up to the lamp room. The timber deck and iron railings around the top are still there and look good.
You can still see the remains of the lightkeeper's house nearby. It was removed in the 1960s, but some timber pieces and stone paving are left. You can see the paving better from the top of the lighthouse.
North Bluff Lighthouse
The North Bluff lighthouse is not in as good condition as the Middle Bluff one. Much of its wooden covering is falling off. The lamp room is gone. Some of the timber deck and iron railings are still there, especially on the north side. Wooden posts from an old fence built in the 1950s surround the lighthouse.
The remains of the assistant lightkeeper's house are about 400 meters (1,300 feet) south of the North Bluff light. The stone paving where the house stood is very clear. You can see the square shape of the house. There are also remains of a wood-fired stove. Visitors, especially school groups, have placed glass and other small items found nearby in a pile on the paving.
Other Interesting Spots
- Signal Mast Site: Near the North Bluff house, you can find the remains of a signal mast. This mast was used to send messages to ships. Only a circular metal base is left.
- Rock-lined Track: There's an old track that connected the two lighthouses. It's made of rocks and runs for about four kilometers (2.5 miles). In some places, it's hard to see, but it reappears further along.
- Telegraph Line: You can still see parts of the old telegraph line. This includes cast iron poles, some with glass insulators still attached. These poles carried the wires that connected Woody Island to the mainland and other lightstations.
- Graves Site: The grave of Sarah May Hardie is on the eastern side of the island. It has a concrete headstone with her name and dates. A new wooden fence surrounds it, but parts of the original fence are also nearby. People believe there are other unmarked graves in this area too.
- Gas Shed and Pipeline: A small timber shed, once used for kerosene, is still standing. It has a sloped roof. A copper pipeline, which carried gas up to the Middle Bluff lighthouse, is still visible in some places along the track.
Why Are These Lighthouses Important?
The Woody Island Lighthouses are very important for understanding Queensland's history. They show how the state developed after it separated from New South Wales. They are a key part of how Queensland set up maritime safety along its coast.
These lighthouses are also special because they are rare examples of "twin lighthouses" in Queensland. They were built using a unique octagonal timber frame, which was a common style for lighthouses in Queensland.
The lighthouses and their ruins, surrounded by nature, create a beautiful and interesting place. They offer great views of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island. This has made them a popular spot for visitors and school groups for many years.
For the communities of Hervey Bay and Maryborough, these lighthouses are a strong link to their past. They remind people of the lightkeepers and their families who worked hard for almost 120 years to keep ships safe.
