Althorpe Lighthouse; the ladder used for access.

Althorpe Island lighthouse stands atop 90 metre cliffs, with the only access from a small beach on the north side. Here in 1877 a small jetty was built for landing supplies; it was approximately 10 feet wide and 146 feet long. From the jetty the cliff was scaled using a ladder. Up this all supplies, including building materials had to be hauled. A small tramline and a flying fox were erected to ease the arduous job. Later a steam engine would be placed at the base of the cliff to further ease the task of shifting supplies.

Once the jetty and cliff access were completed the main task of building the lighthouse above could be commenced. The tower was built from limestone and sandstone quarried on the island. Chance Brothers supplied the glass gallery, lantern and dome, and on 14 February 1879 the Althorpe Island lighthouse was illuminated for the first time, exhibiting a white light visible 27 miles (43.45 kms) with a red sector that was visible for 17 miles (27.35kms).

Lucieer, Michiel From pioneering to automation: Althorpe Island, South Australia [Althorpe Islands, S. Aust.: M. Lucieer], c1994

Lucieer, Michiel Hello out there: Althorpe Island [Althorpe Islands, S. Aust.: M. Lucieer, 1994?]

Parsons, Ronald, Lighthouses of South Australia Magill, S. Aust.: R. Parsons, c1985

Ibbotson, John, Lighthouses of Australia: images from the end of an era Surrey Hills, Vic.: Australian Lighthouse Traders, 2001

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-