Snapshot in time: Recalling the origins of Geraldton’s Flagstaff Hill and Point Moore lighthouses

Before Geraldton’s iconic Point Moore lighthouse was erected, an octagonal stone lighthouse was under construction on nearby Flagstaff Hill.

In 1874, the decision was made to change the location of Geraldton’s lighthouse to Point Moore, and the Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse was demolished.

A prefabricated cast-iron lighthouse was manufactured in England, shipped to Geraldton and erected at a total cost of £4721.

On completion, it was 114 feet (34m) tall, making it the fourth-tallest lighthouse in Australia, and the tallest metal lighthouse in Australia. It was lit for the first time on March 19, 1878. Originally painted grey, it did not receive its distinctive red and white colours until 1879.

The light from the original kerosene lamp was greatly amplified by a revolving dioptric lens of the second order, and in the chamber below the main light was a fixed dioptric subsidiary light which emitted two red beams of light.

The fixed red subsidiary light was decommissioned in 1941. A thin wire with a weight attached was hung down the centre of the lighthouse tower and wound tight. When released the descending weight would turn the light.

This mechanism was replaced by an electric motor in 1958.