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.
That’s a pretty scene. I do think lighthouses and the life of a lighthouse keeper were/are romanticized in books. Heroic lighthouse keep fighting all odds to keep the light burning during terrific storms. The fun the children had living on a small rock surrounded by water, with just a rowboat for supply runs.
Books and movies love to paint a picture of heroic keepers and idyllic childhoods on remote islands. Reality was probably a lot tougher, with isolation and harsh weather taking their toll. That being said, there’s still something undeniably fascinating about lighthouses. The history, the stories, the way they stand guard over the sea – it all captures the imagination.
I agree that they are some exciting stories about lighthouses. But I’ve read a bit about lighthouses, and visited quite a few… And I believe that life in the lighthouses, in the past, was anything but romantic. It was a very hard life.
In my country, all the lighthouses are automatized nowadays, and most of them are powered by solar energy.
You’re absolutely right, life as a lighthouse keeper wouldn’t have been all sunshine and rainbows! The isolation and harsh conditions must have been incredibly challenging. But I think the romance comes from the stories of their dedication and the vital role they played in maritime safety.
I am a bit of a nerdy lighthouse fan, there’s a couple here you should visit if you ever come over…Pouto Point and Cape Reinga, both beautiful places.
Love finding my people! 🙂
Lighthouses are seriously underrated. Thanks for the insider tip about Pouto Point and Cape Reinga – they both look stunning online. If I ever find myself in New Zealand, I’ll definitely add them to my list!
I’m not really surprised that we are all “nerdy” lighthouse fans!! Nothing about them, or their stories, is predictable, and there is something about their isolation…
I totally agree – the isolation adds to their allure, like lonely, silent guardians against the sea. Maybe they do hold some ghostly secrets!
…Sreisaat, lighthouse are one of my interests too. I seem several along the shore of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Nostalgia is a big draw for me and many others. Have a wonderful weekend.
What a beautiful place and lighthouse!