South Australian lighthouse records

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The protection of shipping was vital to the developing colony of South Australia. The Cape Willoughby Lighthouse – or Sturt Light as it was originally named – was therefore established on Kangaroo Island in 1852 to guide vessels through the treacherous waters of Backstairs Passage. Other lighthouses were established on Troubridge Island off the coast of Yorke Peninsula in 1855, at Cape Borda on Kangaroo Island in 1858 and at Cape Northumberland, also known as McDonnell Light, in 1859.



For vessels sailing through the Roaring Forties of the Southern Ocean, the Cape Northumberland light was the first light visible on the Australian coast. Construction of lighthouses continued for the remainder of the 19th century and into the 20th century resulting in more than 20 lighthouses along the South Australian coastline.



With Federation in 1901, the administration of lighthouses became a Commonwealth responsibility. However, the transfer of control did not occur until 1915 when the Lighthouses Act 1911 came into effect.

Record holdings

Records relating to the operation of South Australian lighthouses are held in the Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney offices of the National Archives. The earliest South Australian records date from 1852 and include drawings, logbooks, weather reports and various records relating to individual lighthouses as well as central administration records. Details of the major record holdings are listed below.

Lighthouse drawings, plans and images
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Drawings and plans of lighthouses and associated buildings and equipment 1833–1968 A9568
Original drawings, plans and prints of National Estate properties 1847–1980 D1051
Lightstation drawings 1860– A10182
Glass plate copy negatives of Australian coastal lighthouses 1917– A6247
Photographs of buildings, installations, sites, etc 1946–97 D3481

General administrative and staffing records
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Register of vessels (arrivals and departures), Port Adelaide 1874–1923 D1
Correspondence files 1924–57 D2014
Correspondence files of the Navigation Section 1921–55 D1911
Taking-on forms (persons taken for lighthouse service) 1934–46 AP143/5
Confidential personal administration files 1952–72 D2113
Correspondence files 1955–92 D935

Records of South Australian lighthouses

A selection of records relating to South Australian lighthouses is listed in the table below.

Cape Borda (Flinders Light)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Log books 1858–1990 D21
Lighthouse log book and monthly return of weather 1966–71 D2159
Monthly fuel and oil statements 1972 D2017

Collection references
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Lighthouse log books 1867–1966 D25
Monthly return of weather 1952–66 D2230
Navigational aid station log books 1971– D2016
Half-yearly returns of children on lightstation 1971– D2924

Cape Willoughby (Sturt Light)
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Lighthouse log books 1852–1966 D26
Record of passing vessels 1931–40 D39
Requisitions book 1933–41 D40
Visitors book 1970– D2037

Lowly Point
Title or description of record Date range Series number
Log books 1883–1973 D18
Record of necessary work 1934–44 D43
Head lightkeepers general order books 1940–44 D45
Register of rainfall observation 1946–72 D2903

For more information

Records about South Australian lighthouses in the period before Federation can be found at State

Records of South Australia.



For information on other Australian lighthouses please see:

  • Fact sheet 122 - Lighthouse records held in Hobart
  • Fact sheet 233 - Lighthouse records held in Brisbane