Address & Contact
335 Low Head Rd
Low Head TAS 7253
Phone: 03 63821143
Email: museum@lowhead.com
Web: https://lighthouses.org.au/tas/low-head-lighthouse
A
signal station was set up at
Low Head in 1805. It is Australia’s oldest continuously used pilot station. The light station, established in 1833, was Australia’s third and Tasmania’s second.
Following a number of ship wrecks at the mouth and on the Tarmar, a
lighthouse was constructed in 1833. Prior to that it had been the practice to light a bonfire on the site whenever a ship was spotted making for the river late in the day. The keepers residence was attached to the light tower, the only time this was done in Tasmania. The tower was 15.25 metres tall. As technology improved the light was upgraded to its current status as electrically powered and automatically operated.
A short distance up stream, in 1835, the permanent buildings of
the pilot service and
signal station were constructed.
The pilot service has operated continuously since its inception. The buildings are in good condition and house a museum and a modern coffee
shop. Some of the houses appear to be occupied with some possibly available for holiday rental.