Tas That Was – Low Head Lighthouse

The original Low Head Lighthouse was built in 1833 in response to the many shipwrecks that had occurred at Low Head since the early 1800s. Constructed of local stone and rubble, it was Tasmania’s second-ever lighthouse.

The four-room keepers’ residence was attached to the base of the tower, which had fallen into disrepair by 1888. It was torn down in 1890 and replaced with the double brick tower that cost £900.*

The day before the new lighthouse began operating (29 April 1890), the Launceston Examiner reported:

“It had been contemplated having an official opening, but the idea was abandoned in consequence of the Master Warden of the Marine Board of Launceston yesterday receiving a message from the Master Warden of the Marine Board of Hobart stating that illness would prevent the attendance of himself or any of the other wardens.”

The new tower remains operational today and is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register. The lighting apparatus has been upgraded several times over the decades to keep up with developments in technology. It currently runs on hydroelectricity.

* Around $192,600 today.

Low Head Lighthouse during the 1930s.

Tas That Was is a column that includes:

• anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
• historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
• documentaries about locations in Tasmania.

If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to submit@tasmaniantimes.com.

Callum J. Jones studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania. He has written fiction and non-fiction for Tasmanian Times since 2018. He can be traced by the smell of fresh coffee.

Follow him on Twitter (@Callum_Jones_10) and Facebook (@callum.j.jones.creative).