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A lighthouse in the background behind a sign that reads Cape Wickham State Reserve Parks and Wildlife Service. There is warm sunshine and clear skies
Cape Wickham Lighthouse banner

Cape Wickham State Reserve

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About

The Cape Wickham Lighthouse is the tallest in Australia standing at 48 metres tall. It was constructed in 1861 following one of Australia’s largest maritime disasters. In 1845 the emigrant ship Cataraqui ran aground off the west coast of King Island with 400 lives lost. 

Up until 1921 the lighthouse was manned by a superintendent and three assistants. The settlement near the lighthouse included stone cottages, vegetable gardens, rock enclosures, a small timber church, graveyard, signal house, boat shed and a jetty. 

Today all that remains of the settlement is the lighthouse, one cement cottage (1945), a generator shed (1965) and several graves associated with former station personnel.​​​


​​​The lighthouse lies within the Cape Wickham State Reserve, surrounded by the Cape Wickham Conservation Area all managed by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. The lighthouse itself is under lease to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and is listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.

Buy a map from TasMap

King Island can be accessed by plane from some Tasmanian airports and Melbourne. 

From the main island town of Currie, head north along North Road and on to Cape Wickham Road. Approximately 47 km from Currie. 

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

​Telstra is the only mobile provider that works on King Island.

More information

​Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our Know Before You Go web page.

Walker safety - day walks​

Wherever you plan to walk in Tasmania, plan for the possibility of poor weather and unexpected situations. Conditions in Tasmania can change at any time of year.

Choose a walk that matches your group’s fitness and experience. The track classification guide explains walk difficulty ratings and can help you choose a suitable track.

Grade 4 and 5 walks can be especially challenging and may include steep climbs, rocky ground, mud, cliffs, or require navigation skills.

For all walks, check the weather forecast before you go, take a map, and let someone know your plans. If you are walking in remote areas or conditions are uncertain, carry extra food, and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Consider taking an emergency shelter or tent. Learn about the dangers of cold by watching the hypothermia safety video.

More information on planning, including recommended gear lists, is available on our Safety In Parks page. (Safety video with Chinese subtitles).

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