Double Island Point Lightstation

The Double Island Point Lightstation is located on the Double Island Point headland, 70km north of Noosa Heads. It is a timber framed structure, sheeted with 2mm thick iron plates. Three light keepers’ cottages were built here. Their construction was part of a long-term building program which began following the 1864 Select Committee Enquiry into the State of Harbours and Rivers. The nearby Sandy Cape Lighthouse on Fraser Island was built in 1870, preceded by Bustard Head in 1868. The Double Island Point lighthouse was built by W P Clark in 1884, at a cost of 6900 pounds, and activated on 11 September 1884. In 1933, the old kerosene light was converted to electricity and a semi-automatic control system was installed. This was the first light in Queensland, and reputedly the third in Australia, to be equipped with this system. Two new light keeper’s cottages were built concurrently, with the third employee no longer required. The light station was converted to 2450v AC power in 1980 after the installation of bulk-fuel tanks. In 1992, it was converted to solar power and de-manned. It is now within the Cooloola National Park and 4WD access requires a permit from Queensland National Parks.