Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
- Visit: 30 min
- Not step-free
Sign up free — See who's going and message them.
Is this your place? Get the badge for your websiteAbout
More photos 11
1 / 11
Why go
- The original first-order Fresnel lens by Chance Brothers still operates in the tower.
- Interactive displays and historic artefacts fill the Lightkeepers’ Museum, housed in an original keeper’s cottage.
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 17:00Show all
What you see
- Climb 59 steps to the tower balcony for views of the Indian Ocean, Geographe Bay and Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
Know before you go
- Open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
- Reaching the tower balcony requires moderate fitness.
- Paths include boardwalks, asphalt surfaces and rest stops.
Best time to visit
- From September to November, watch from the shore for migrating whales, which may be seen breaching.
Photo spots
- Observation platformPhotograph the ocean viewsAt the base of the lighthouse
Interesting facts4
-
20 metres
The cylindrical limestone tower is 20 metres tall.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Wikipedia -
The light flashes twice every ten seconds.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Wikipedia -
123 metres
The light’s focal plane is 123 metres above sea level.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Wikipedia -
The displayed lens and beacon were first used on the Pilbara coast.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Before the lighthouse was built, mariners navigating Geographe Bay used a barrel on a 30-foot pole in Busselton as a marker. Its limestone was quarried at nearby Bunker Bay, also known as the Quarries. AMSA operates the light as a navigational aid.
- 1801Nicolas Baudin named the cape during an expedition to chart New Holland’s coastlines. Cape Naturaliste and Geographe Bay were named for his ships Le Naturaliste and Le Géographe.
- 1903The lighthouse opened after ten months of construction costing £4,800, amid infrastructure growth following the 1890s gold rush.
- 1904The light was activated.
- 1978The lighthouse was automated.
- 1996The final keeper left Australia’s last manned lighthouse.
How to get there
- 15 minCarAccess is by self-drive only, about 15 minutes from Dunsborough, to 1267 Cape Naturaliste Road, Naturaliste WA 6281.
Accessibility
- Step-free access Connects the ticket office, Lightkeepers’ Museum and observation platform.
- Tower access No lift; the tower is inaccessible to wheelchairs and prams.
- Toilet Accessible toilets are at the car park and in the main grounds.
- Accessible parking Two ACROD parking bays and a drop-off area are near the entrance.
Sources: Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Wikipedia · Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Capes Foundation · Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Access Guide - Cape… · checked 29 Sep 2026
- Phone
- 0897577411
Questions and answers
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets can be bought on the lighthouse’s own website.
Can I visit Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse without climbing the tower?
A Heritage Pass covers the museum, observation platform and grounds without the tower tour.
Does the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse tower tour include guided stops?
Guides provide commentary at rest platforms.
What other historic lights are on display at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse?
The second-order Fresnel lens from Jarman Island Light and the original Great Sandy Islands beacon are displayed here. Both were first used on the Pilbara coast.
What is around Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse?
The grounds combine heritage buildings and visitor areas with natural landscapes.
- See who's going — faces, not ticket counts.
- Write to someone who shares your interests — no swipes, no matches, no paywall.
- Pick the event or the place to meet at — and go together.