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In
Search of an Inland Lighthouse
We’ve just written a yarn for 4x4 Australia magazine (to be published
in April ’05?) on the remote lighthouses that can be visited by those
who have a 4WD. During the research I found that there was a solitary lighthouse
located far from the ocean.
We went looking for it over the Christmas break.
Located at Pt Malcolm in South Australia and overlooking ‘The Narrows’
that connects Lake Albert with the larger Lake Alexandrina, the light was
built in 1878 to guide shipping using the waterways to and from Meningie.
While it was closed down in the 1930’s the lighthouse is in good condition
while the nearby keeper’s quarters are slowly falling into ruins.
The
areas around these lakes and especially around the Meningie-Narrung region
is little known outside of the immediate area but it is well worth a visit,
especially if you are into fishing, bird watching, water skiing or house boating.
Although some of the roads are dirt they are well maintained and it’s
lightly undulating country so it’s hardly tough four wheel driving.
Unless of course you head down to the main ocean beach along the Coorong,
but that’s another story!
The
historic Poltalloch Station on the shores of Lake Alexandrina offers tours
and accommodation (see www.poltalloch.com.au)
while a number of other camping areas exist within the region.
For many Meningie is the northern gateway to the Coorong and the fabulous
Limestone Coast. For more info check the web at:
www.thelimestonecoast.com
Want to know more about Lighthouses?
The
coffee table book, Lighthouses of Australia, by
John Ibbotson is a beauty, while his smaller guide to access and accommodation
of Australia’s lighthouses, Lighthouses of Australia –
a Visitor’s Guide, is the definitive guide to visiting
our maritime heritage. Check his website at: www.lighthouses.com.au.
An
excellent website for everything you want to know about lighthouses including
their history, facilities, the keepers and even their buying price (yes, some
come up for sale or lease!) can be found on the web at: www.lighthouse.net.au
See you in
the bush.
Ron and Viv.
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