The Point Malcolm Lighthouse
A reminder of South Australia’s maritime past

Point Malcolm Lighthouse stands as Australia’s only inland lighthouse, marking a significant piece of maritime history. Located between Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert, this remarkable structure has watched over these waters since 1878.

The Construction and Operation

The concrete tower of Point Malcolm Lighthouse rises seven metres above the landscape, making it Australia’s smallest lighthouse. Richard Tenouth, a prominent Strathalbyn builder, constructed both the lighthouse and the keeper’s cottage with remarkable attention to detail.

The original lighting system comprised a white revolving light with a ten-second rotation period. The system consumed seven gallons of mineral oil monthly and maintained visibility for ten nautical miles across Lake Alexandrina. In 1887, modifications transformed it into a fixed white light system.

Life at Point Malcolm

The lighthouse keeper maintained a self-sufficient lifestyle at this isolated location. A small cave served as storage for perishable goods until boats arrived to transport excess produce to neighbouring settlements. The keeper’s role proved essential in maintaining safe passage through the narrow waters between the lakes.

Maritime Significance

Point Malcolm Lighthouse played a crucial role in supporting maritime traffic between Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert. Paddle steamers, including the Judith, Milang, and Murray, regularly transported passengers and cargo through these waters. These vessels maintained vital connections between isolated farms and settlements, delivering supplies and facilitating transportation across the region.

The lighthouse guided various vessels through the waterways, from fishing boats to cargo steamers. During its operational years, maritime trade flourished, with boats carrying mail and goods up to three times weekly between Milang, Narrung, and Meningie.

Historical Transformation

In September 1931, Point Malcolm Lighthouse ceased operations due to declining vessel traffic on the lakes. Authorities installed an automatic ‘light on a pole’ to guide commercial and recreational vessels navigating the river and lakes system.

Today, Point Malcolm Lighthouse stands as a protected heritage site, representing an important chapter in South Australian maritime history. The structure remains a significant landmark, overlooking the waters it once guided vessels through safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

The area around Point Malcolm Lighthouse is deeply woven into Ngarrindjeri cultural heritage. Known as ‘Tauwitchere’, the narrow passage was not just a fishing spot but a significant meeting place where different family groups would gather during seasonal movements. Archaeological evidence suggests continuous occupation for over 40,000 years, with middens and stone tools discovered in the surrounding area.

The Ngarrindjeri people used specific fishing techniques here, creating intricate systems of reed-bed traps that worked with the natural flow between the lakes. Their traditional ecological knowledge informed early European navigation of these waters, though this contribution often goes unrecognised. Today, the Ngarrindjeri maintain strong connections to the site and are involved in its heritage management and interpretation.

  • James McLaren, the first keeper (1878-1902), maintained detailed meteorological records that provide invaluable historical climate data. His journals document daily lake conditions, wildlife observations, and community events. McLaren won several agricultural prizes at the Strathalbyn Show for vegetables grown in his innovative terraced garden system.
  • William MacDonald (1902-1919) was known for his boat-building skills, constructing several small craft used for lake rescues. He also established a successful beekeeping operation, supplying honey to surrounding settlements.
  • The last keeper, Thomas Mitchell (1919-1931), documented the transition from steamboat to motor vessel traffic and developed a sophisticated signalling system for communicating with passing vessels. Each keeper’s family contributed to local life – Mrs McLaren ran a small school for neighbouring children, while Mrs MacDonald was known for her medical knowledge and helped deliver several babies in the district.

The lighthouse’s economic influence extended far beyond basic navigation. It enabled the establishment of regular night-time shipping schedules, effectively doubling the trading capacity of Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert. This led to the development of several ports including Milang, Meningie, and Narrung. Local records show that between 1880 and 1900, property values within 10 kilometres of the shipping routes increased by approximately 45%.

The lighthouse facilitated the growth of a commercial fishing industry, with catch records showing annual exports of up to 50 tonnes of Murray cod and callop to Adelaide markets. Several boat-building businesses established themselves nearby, creating a small but significant maritime industry. The keeper’s cottage often served as an informal trading post, with passing vessels exchanging goods and information.

During peak operation years (1890-1910), an estimated 80% of local agricultural produce was transported by water, with the lighthouse enabling safe passage for over 200 vessels annually.