CAPE WILLOUGHBY CONSERVATION PARK - LIGHTSTATION

Cape Willoughby Conservation Park is home to South Australia's oldest operational lighthouse. Dating back to 1852, it was the first to be built in the state. The site is rich in maritime history, from the lives of the keepers to the ships that wrecked off its jagged coastline. The views from the cape of the ocean and the island are superb.

Practical. Access to the lighthouse is via a beautiful road through countryside and eucalyptus forests. Watch out for kangaroos at dusk, who sometimes leap across the road in front of your car! You can sleep at the foot of the lighthouse in the historic cottages of the former keepers (Cape Willoughby Lighthouse Keepers Heritage Accommodation), or right next door at the luxurious Sea Dragon Lodge.

Historical tour (45 minutes). This guided tour begins at the Visitor Center and includes an exploration of the lighthouse station's historic site. Guides share anecdotes about the lighthouse's history, from its construction to the present day. The tour ends with a climb up the 102 steps to the top of the lighthouse, offering panoramic views of Backstairs Passage Strait and the Kangaroo Island coastline.

Express tour (20 min). This tour starts at the base of the lighthouse. A guide accompanies you up the 102 steps to the top, where you can enjoy breathtaking views while learning about the lighthouse's history.