Tasman Island Lighthouse

Tasman Island Lighthouse
Tower
Tasman Island Lighthouse

Location	Tasman Island south-eastern Tasmania Australia
Coordinates	43°14′22.1″S 148°00′18.3″E / 43.239472°S 148.005083°E / -43.239472; 148.005083
Constructed	1906
Construction	cast iron segments
Automated	1976
Height	29 metres (95 ft)
Shape	tapered cylindrical tower with double balcony and lantern
Markings	white tower and lantern
Power source	solar power
Operator	Australian Maritime Safety Authority^[1]
Heritage	listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register

Light
Focal height	276 metres (906 ft)
Intensity	63,000 cd
Range	39 nautical miles (72 km; 45 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 7.5s.

The Tasman Island Lighthouse is on Tasman Island off the coast of southeastern Tasmania, Australia. It was one of the most isolated lighthouses in Australia. It was first lit on 2 April 1906, automated in 1976 and demanned in 1977. Solar conversion occurred in 1991. Various light sources have been fitted to the lighthouse since low voltage solar was installed in 1991. The current light source is a Vega VRB25. It has a character of Flashing 7.5x - Flash 0.1s - Eclipse 7.4s and produces 63,000 candelas with a geographical range of 39 nautical miles and a nominal range of 18 nautical miles.

At a special meeting of the Hobart Marine Board on 6 April 1904, it was announced that a lighthouse was to be built on Tasman Island.

The successful tenderer was Henrikson & Knutson for a price of £10,487 10s with an undertaking to complete the works in 18 months from the date of announcement being 18 August 1904. This company had previously built the Denison Canal near Dunalley.

The components of the cast iron lighthouse were prefabricated in England and hauled piece by piece up the 250-metre-high cliffs before assembly. The island is now part of the Tasman National Park.^[2] The lighthouse and associated structures, such as the keepers’ cottages, are listed on Australia's Register of the National Estate.^[3] The original first-order Fresnel lens by Chance Brothers can be seen on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, the original lantern is on loan to the Friends of Tasman Island and currently in storage in Hobart. Either annually or biennially the lighthouse and island are open for public access via helicopter tours. These trips are organised by the Rotary Club of the Tasman Peninsula.

Tasman Island lighthouse and surrounding land is owned by the Tasmanian State government. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) lease the lighthouse and land from the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service. The AMSA lease consists of one parcel of land totaling 2456m2. Within this lease are the lighthouse, solar array and helipad. The current lease was signed on 1 May 1998 for a period of 25 years. This lease has an option for extension for a further 25 years.