Day 61 Gantheaume Point

Today we started at the Courthouse Markets for a stroll under the shady trees looking at the pearl jewellery, clothing and artwork.





We then drove to Gantheaume Point and unfortunately it was not low tide so we were unable to see the dinosaur prints or Anatasia's Pool as it needs to be a very low tide for these. The remains of Anastasia's Pool, damaged beyond repair by a storm in January 2014, can also be seen. The surrounding walls and concrete bottom were damaged such that the Shire of Broome decided not to repair the pool. The pool was built sometime between 1922 and 1929 by Patrick Percy a lighthouse keeper for his wife, who believed the saltwater which filled the pool at high tide had possible healing properties for her arthritis.

Gantheaume Point encompasses a stretch of white sandy beach as well as a deep pindan red rock cliff face overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

The current lighthouse is a steel skeletal tower and the fourth lighthouse at Gantheaume Point. The first was established by in July 1905 after lobbying by traders and pearling masters. The notice to mariners describes the light as a ‘dioptric fixed light of the fourth order…on an open braced steel tripod’. The white light was 56 feet (17m) above high water. It was a temporary light on a tripod that was previously used at South Molle, Fremantle. The fixed light was considered dangerous by seamen as they could not distinguish it from the light of a stationary ship. A new oscillating (Flashing light) was installed in 1906.

In 1910 the tripod was replaced by a more substantial structure, a 30ft pyramidal steel tower with a service room underneath the lantern. The character of the light was changed to occulting, i.e. the period of light is longer than the period of darkness. The light began operating on 11 May 1911.

In 1922 the light was converted from kerosene to automatic operation with acetylene and the keeper was withdrawn. The second tower survived until 1962 when it was replaced by a steel lattice tower with a new lantern. This was demolished in 1985.

The present lighthouse was erected in 1983. It is a stainless steel lattice tower that is 27 metres high. In operates from mains electricity and flashes every 10 seconds.












We made our way back to Cable Beach where we discovered that like Europe you can hire your beach chair and umbrella if going to the beach.



We then made our way to Blackstump Gallery to see the artwork and local giftware etc.