Sandy Cape Escape Traditional Cache

The Sandy Cape Lighthouse was constructed in 1869-1870 due to the growing number of shipwrecks in the area. It was the second light constructed by the Colony of Queensland, built from prefabricated cast iron panels forged in Bridgewater, England. The sections were hauled from Panama Point, south of the lighthouse with bullocks used to haul the segments along the beach and up the crest of the ridge, where the giant jigsaw pieces were bolted together and the tower erected. The kerosene light first shone on 19th May 1870 but was later converted to electricity with a 1000 watt light, magnified to the intensity of 500 000 candle power by sculptured prisms that surround it. The light can be seen over 40km out to sea. It was maintained as a manned lighthouse until lightkeepers were made redundant on 30th June 1997, ending Sandy Cape's 127 years as a manned lightstation.