Rocky Point

Went to Cape Naturaliste today, toured the lighthouse, only 20m high, but because of the cliff it stands on, 160m above sea level. Saw the extremely small light globe that had just been removed and replaced with LED. The light globe was magnified 860 times by the prism in the lighthouse. Learned of the hard and dirty work of the previous lighthouse keepers, 3 of them worked 4 hour shifts through the night. Taking enough kerosene to last the four hours, lighting the wick, all the ash and fumes from the light would spill into that tiny space just below the light. There were air vents all around and once they determined which way the wind was blowing, would open appropriate vents to enable some fresh air to come in and blow out all the smoke and ash.
The head lightkeepers wife was responsible for ordering all the supplies which would arrive each fortnight by ship. She would take a horse and dray to go and collect them. There was no medical assistance for birthing their children and the head lightkeepers wife would also be responsible for schooling all the children. A very hard life.
The lighthouse was built in 1902 and the houses for the lightkeepers families were finished in 1903. In 1907 the town of Dunsborough sprouted up to support the lighthouse.
We visited the town of Dunsborough, a much bigger town than we thought. Reminded us a lot of Lorne with its expensive clothes and beach/surf type shops. Had a very nice coffee and home made pie, vegetable for me, chorizo for Mick and bought some local produce whilst there, olives and bread.
Too tired to do the planned tour of Lake Cave so came back to camp, did some cleaning up and restacking of the car, ready for our attempt to fit in the new camp beds when we leave tomorrow.
New camp beds are very comfortable and a lot warmer, hadn’t realised just how much colder the air mattress had made it. Mick woke up and was able to move, unlike the previous two days where the deflating air mattress had caused considerable back pain.
On to Busselton tomorrow to visit the port and underwater viewing, then to the thrombolites.Read more