Rottnest Lighthouses

The reef structure which surrounds Rottnest Island made the construction of 2 lighthouses essential to assist vessels when navigating the channel between Fremantle and the island.

At the centre of the island, Wadjemup Lighthouse was constructed in 1896 and stands roughly 38 metres. The 4th tallest lighthouse in Australia, it replaced the original 20 metre structure built in 1849 by Aboriginal prisoners.

Bathurst Lighthouse, on the northern edge of the island, was built in 1900 to support Wadjemup Lighthouse following the City of York shipping disaster in 1899. It is 20 metres high and in conjunction with Wadjemup and the Fremantle Lighthouse, creates a navigational triangle to guide skippers.