Eagle Bay Accommodation - Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse (built in 1903) and surrounding headland, are popular attractions here in the Capes region of WA.
The lighthouse was officially opened to the public on 22nd November 1986, and is known as an excellent vantage point, especially in whale migration season.

The lighthouse is only 13 kilometres from Dunsborough and can be climbed by visitors. The top balcony of the lighthouse tower is the ideal spot to catch the views of Cape Naturaliste and Geographe Bay.

On site is also a Maritime Museum, offering a fascinating insight into the history of the Capes region.

Numerous walk trails lead from the Lighthouse around the bays and beaches of the Cape, and a platform and shelter provides a magnificent vantage point for whale watching during the annual migratory periods, from September to December.

Drinks, snacks and souvenirs are on sale at the Maritime Museum.

The base of the lighthouse is about 100 metres above sea level and the light approximately 120 metres above sea level giving a range of 26 nautical miles in clear weather which is it's distance from the horizon. The limestone for the lighthouse and cottages was quarried near Bunker Bay and carted back to the site by bullock wagon. Most other materials were unloaded from boats at Eagle Bay.

Originally, three families occupied the cottages and each keeper worked his night shift to rewind the clockwork and maintain the kerosene pressure.

When the lighthouses power supply was converted to electricity, operations were then controlled by one keeper.
He was on duty seven days a week and was only relieved for his annual holidays.

The lighthouse has now been converted to fully automatic operation. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse was the last lighthouse in Western Australia to lose its keeper in 1996.
The lenses are made of Prism Crystal and originally cost about £5,500 ($11,000) and were made by Chance Bros. Birmingham, England. All the parts were supplied in kit form and put together as the tower was constructed. Todays value of the lens is approximately $5 million. The original mantle gave a light of approximately 1455 candlepower which was magnified 836 times giving a reflected light 1.2 million candlepower. The light source is now a 120 volt 1000 watt tungsten halogen globe with a similar back-up globe. There is also an automatic back-up generator in case of a power failure. An alarm system was connected to the keepers house in case of a complete breakdown.

Aerial View
View from the lighthouse
Awe inspiring views of the Cape Naturaliste and Geographe Bay coastline await visitors at the top balcony of the lighthouse tower.
Walking Tracks

A number of walks have been designed around the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse, offering walks from 30minutes to half-day:

  • The Bunker Bay track - leads walkers throught different vegetation: woodland in sheltered areas, wind shaped bushes of Marri on ridge tops, and caostal heath. Head to the coastal clifftops and the viewing platform overlooking Shelley Cove near Bunkers Bay. Views of Geographe Bay.

  • The Lighthouse walk - is quite easy, and covers relatively flat ground. Plans are in the works for resurfacing of the path, to ensure access by all to the great coast views

  • The Cape Naturaliste track - winds through an area known as "the Pinnacles", an unusual coastal feature. If walked in a clock-wise direction, the "other side of the moon" can be seen as black loam soils sculptured by nature.

  • The Whale Lookout track - is only 200m in length, and covers mostly flat ground. September through November is whale migration season. Whales can easily be seen from vantage points along the way. In or out of whale watching season, the track offers panoramic coastal views, meandering through diverse coastal heath which is alive with native birds.

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    Opening hours - Daily: 9.30am - 4.30pm (last entry 4pm).
    Group bookings welcome (group concessions available). Night tours of the Lighthouse are available by appointment.
    Contact Details - Phone: 08 9755 3955
    Further Reference
    Full Lighthouse History
    Haunted Lighthouse? (ABC article)
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