Around 500 people took advantage of the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend to visit Point Perpendicular Lighthouse.
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Lighthouse Australia president Ian Clifford said the historic structure, which will next year celebrate its 120th anniversary, again turned on a great show, looking “its brilliant best”.
“The building and light looked fantastic,” Mr Clifford said.
“The event ran like clockwork.”
It was the 17th International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend held worldwide, with Mr Clifford saying the elevated fire risk in the Shoalhaven lead to restricted access to the Beecroft Weapons Range which actually worked in favour of the event.
Public access to the range over the weekend was restricted to only the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse.
“With the rest of the range shut it actually reduced our numbers a bit and made the event more manageable,” Mr Clifford said.
“There was still lots of interest, we had around 500 people go through the tower.
“With not as high of numbers it was a more relaxed time wise and visitors could take a bit more time to actually look throughout the structure.
“We also have to respect the heritage platform loadings of the structure.”
He said visitor’s fascination with the structure, its history and connection with the former light at Cape St George on the other side of Jervis Bay remained strong.
“People want to know all about this light which was lit for the first time in May 1899 and the former Cape St George Light and why it was decommissioned and when it was destroyed,” he said.
“But despite popular belief the old light wasn’t bombed by the navy, it was in fact brought down by explosives.”
The lantern was removed before the tower’s destruction and was installed onto the light at Crookhaven Heads. It has since been taken down, restored and is storage. It is expected to be on show at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum.
He said big plans were being discussed to celebrate the structure’s 120th birthday next year.
“Nothing is concrete at this stage,” he said “like when the celebration should be held, whether we it on the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend or on the actual date of the anniversary.
“These are things that all need to be discussed.”
Wollongong Breakwater lighthouse on Belmore Basin foreshore was also open to the public over the weekend, operating from dusk until dawn each night.
If you got a good photo of Point Perpendicular Lighthouse over the weekend we’d love to see it and add it to our gallery - just email robert.crawford@fairfaxmedia.com.au