This puzzle is a member of the Map of Victoria GeoArt. It has been placed to coincide with the Parkville Mega.
We are staying in the Pilot Station at Low Head and out the window we can see the lighthouse flashing. It is flashing three times every 30 seconds.
So that is three quick flashes, and then "is that lighthouse still working?", then the cycle starts again.
Lighthouses have abbreviations to describe their characteristics. Each light in an area has a unique pattern.
For example a light could be described as: Fl(3)WRG 15s 13m 7-5M.
This means:
Fl(3) - flashing light repeating in a group of 3 flashes
WRG - Colours of the light (white, red, green)
15s - Period of light in seconds - how long it takes to show one complete series of 3 flashes and dark bits.
13m - Elevation of the light's focal plane above the water
7-5M - Luminous range. In this case white 7 nautical miles, green 5 nautical miles.
So I could describe the Low Head Light as: Fl(3)W 30s 43m 23M
3 flashes of a white light, 30 second period, 43 meter focal height, and range of 23 Nautical Miles. (no wonder we can see it just down the road!)
So to solve this puzzle, I need you to go to all these lighthouses (with your stopwatch, tape measure, rowboat, etc.) and work out the light's characteristics, or you could just look them up on the net, but where is the fun in that?
A good article about light characteristics is here: (but you don't need to read it for this puzzle)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_characteristic
Lighthouses of Australia (you don't need your passport either)
1 - This lighthouse is most often shown with a koala walking the handrail.
Be careful driving in as tourists will stop anywhere (middle of the road) to photograph them.
Unfortunately, the original (or first) light is no longer used, but it does have a great view from the top!
Its current light's characteristics are: Fl (3) W 1Cs 73m 2DM
2 - This lighthouse is very small and square, which makes it somewhat unique.
It does not need to be tall as it is perched on top of a very high cliff.
A great place to spot whales, but a bugger of a road to drive into it.
And nifty little cannon which the ranger will fire at a moments notice!
Its characteristics are: Fl (4) 20s 1F5m K1M
3. This Lighthouse is unique because it is built from special wedge shaped bricks and has never been rendered or painted, creating a very distinctive day mark.
Unfortunately, it is going to be tricky to measure the focal plane as you are not allowed inside.
If anyone wants to do the outside climb, I will raise the terrain rating of the cache. It is only 32 meters high.
Its characteristics are: GFl (2) 1Bs 62m 22M
4. This tower always reminds me of those sticky lollies we used to get in the glass jars.
It doesn't look so distinctive from the land side (white), but seaward it shows the three red stripes.
So when you go there, don't think you have the wrong light because when you get off the boat it is all white.
Its characteristics are: GFl (E) WR 20s G7m 17-14M
5. It is a long walk into this lighthouse, and when we went to stay there, they were working on the structure - scaffolding all over it.
So I have snitched someone else's photo.
It is a very impressive granite tower, and is, like most lighthouses, in very impressive surrounds.
Its characteristics are: Fl W 7.5s 117m 1JM
6. This lighthouse was built in 1881 from sandstone quarried on site. Its oil room and keepers’ cottages remain unpainted in the original stone finish.
You’ll also find the grave of the Lighthouse’s first keeper on the headland – George Mulhall. He was struck by lightning four years into the job.
A dangerous job in more ways than one!
Its characteristics are: GFl (A) W 20s 113m 1HM
The final:
To find the cache goto S37 AB.CDE E144 FG.HJK
I hope you enjoyed your tour of Lighthouses.
