 Cape Don Lightstation. One of the keeper's cottages visible to the right. | |
 | |
| Location | Cobourg Peninsula Northern Territory Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 11°18′28.36″S 131°45′54.56″E / 11.3078778°S 131.7651556°E |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1917 |
| Construction | reinforced concrete tower |
| Automated | 1983 |
| Height | 118 feet (36 m) |
| Shape | cylindrical tower on octagonal prism basement with balcony and lantern |
| Markings | unpainted tower, white lantern |
| Power source | solar power  |
| Light | |
| Focal height | 163 feet (50 m) |
| Lens | Chance Brothers 3rd order Fresnel lens[1] |
| Intensity | 260,000 cd |
| Range | 22 nautical miles (41 km) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s. |
Cape Don Light is an active lighthouse located on Cape Don, at the tip of the Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory, Australia, in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, marking the entrance to the Dundas Strait. It is Australia's northernmost traditional lighthouse.[2] The station served on the important route to Darwin, between the peninsula and Melville Island.[3] The tower was constructed in 1915–1917, during the "Golden Age of Australian Lighthouses" (1913–1920),[4] and the tower was manned until 1983.[5] During the entire period that the tower was manned it also maintained meteorological records which were well placed to assist in cyclone development tracking.[6] The complex consists of the lighthouse, three residences and ancillary buildings.[5]
Cape Don was named by Phillip Parker King in 1818, as a compliment to General Sir George Don, the Lieutenant-Governor of Gibraltar.[3]