Sandy Cape Lightstation

The Sandy Cape Light-station is situated on the northern tip of Fraser Island and is only accessible to experienced four-wheel drive operators with a permit; available from Queensland National Parks. The light station was built in 1870 by local Maryborough firm J & J Rooney, to a design of William Pole of Kitson and Company of England. It was the first of several light houses constructed over the following decade by the Rooney brothers for the Colonial Architect’s Office, including those at: Cape Bowling Green, Cowan Cowan, Cape Capricorn and Lady Elliot Island. The Sandy Cape light station’s settlement included cottages for a head keeper and three assistant keepers and their families. A school teacher was supplied by the government and she was accommodated with one of the families. New cottages were built in the 1930s. The light was converted to solar in 1995 and the entire site has been powered by a combination of solar and wind power since 2001.