Table Cape Lighthouse To Be Restored
By Sue Clark on May 23, 2008 in News 
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Where the Farmland Meets the Sea
In an unusual alliance, the Table Cape Lighthouse, Wynyard, Tasmania, will be operated by a tulip growing company after renovations to better allow tourist access to the site. Van Diemen Quality Bulbs will take over operations as part of a combined lighthouse and farm tour. The Waratah-Wynyard Council has been working on the project for several years, and at their recent budget meeting, committed $185,000 AUD to help provide the site improvements.
According to a recent story at The Advocate, Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson said, “Table Cape offers unrivaled views along the North-West Coast and inland. It is already a popular tourist destination and this project will greatly add to the region, where tourism already makes a significant contribution to the local economy, its future security and jobs.”
Licenses and Leases Still Needed
The council still needs to get permission and a license from the Parks and Wildlife to act as a third party operator. Parks and Wildlife leases it from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. AMSA became concerned about vandalism at the lighthouse last year and has erected a fence around the light.
The light is set at the edge of a sheer cliff, with scenic farmland as the backdrop. Linking the lighthouse tours with farm type experiences seems to be a natural progression. The lighthouse tours will require experienced guides.
A Sad Story
Table Cape has a sad story associated with its first keeper. From Lighthouses of Australia:
Less than three weeks after the opening of the light the headkeeper’s son, Bertie, died at the age of 14 months.
The cause is not known, but it is the cause of a sad entry in the lighthouse log book.“Wind south. A strong breeze and misty weather. Employed in the lighthouse and cleaning up about station. At 5.10 p.m.
Bertie Jackson, son of the head lightkeeper, departed this life aged one year and two months.”
The undertaker struggled up from Wynyard on horse back with the small casket and after consultation with the clergy recommended that Bertie be buried near the lighthouse where his family could tend to his grave. He was placed in a grave marked by a fuchsia bush. The bush has long since disappeared, but locals who knew the place have recently constructed a memorial.
Photo credits:
- Table Cape Lighthouse by HelenK. Some rights reserved.
- Tulips and Table Cape by kdt. Some rights reserved.
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If you’re in New South Wales, Australia, on Sunday, October 19, get out your running shoes for the very scenic Run For Breast Cancer. The Coordinator for the event wants to see at least five runners or walkers for each breast cancer patient on the North Coast. That translates to 1000 or so participants.
