A friend, an avid geo-cacher on a mission to document Australia’s lighthouses, sparked my interest. In 2011, he’s already halfway there, with many stations logged on his site. It’s fascinating to learn that most Australian lighthouses are now automated or even decommissioned. Some stand in their original glory, though not always in the best shape.
However, my postcard – a maxi card – for Thursday Postcard Hunt this week showcases a different story.
The Corny Point Lighthouse, proudly perched on the southernmost tip of Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, is a vision of beauty. Completed in 1882, this limestone marvel, quarried from a nearby farm, is a photographer’s dream. The surrounding area is said to be a haven for camping and picnics – idyllic on a sunny day. But what about the stormy side? I wonder how this beacon cuts through the rain and fog.
De-manned in 1920, the Corny Point light continued its vigil until 1942. Fearing a Japanese invasion, it was temporarily extinguished for several weeks. Finally, in 1978, it embraced the modern age and converted to electricity. Lightkeeper logs, a treasure trove of history, recount the lighthouse weathering earthquakes and other natural phenomena, even witnessing meteors streak across the night sky. Today, the lighthouse reserve welcomes visitors, offering a glimpse into its fascinating past. More about the history and operations of the Corny Point Lighthouse can be found here.
There’s something undeniably romantic and mysterious about lighthouses. Perhaps it’s the stories they hold – tales of brave keepers, harrowing shipwrecks, and even whispers of ghosts. Despite visiting a few lighthouses that, frankly, weren’t as dramatic as I’d imagined, their mystique remains. Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to their stories and snatch up any image I find – stamps, postcards, even fleeting glimpses on TV. They hold a magnetic pull, drawing me in with their promise of adventure. I can’t help but conjure images of heroic rescues, dramatic storms, ghostly encounters, and the solitary beacon piercing the darkness.