Positioned at the entrance to the Mersey River at Devonport, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse stands as a landmark on the headland overlooking Bass Strait. While more diminutive than some of Australia’s more imposing coastal lighthouses, this lighthouse has played a vital role in ensuring safe passage for vessels navigating the treacherous waters surrounding Tasmania’s northern shores.

Mersey Bluff Lighthouse is one of a network of Tasmanian coastal lights established to guide shipping around the island state, working in concert with Table Cape Lighthouse to the west and Low Head Lighthouse to the east to provide crucial navigational assistance along Tasmania’s northern coastline.

The lighthouse presides over a historically significant maritime corridor, guiding vessels safely to the port of Devonport at the mouth of the Mersey River. This strategic location marks a critical point where ships traversing Bass Strait could access one of Tasmania’s most important harbors, a vital lifeline for trade and passenger transport between Tasmania and mainland Australia.

The lighthouse was commissioned in 1889 after increasing commercial maritime traffic to the developing port town of Devonport (then known as Formby and Torquay) necessitated a permanent light. The growing importance of the Mersey River as a shipping channel and the establishment of regular steamer services between Tasmania and Melbourne made the construction of a reliable beacon at this location a priority for colonial maritime authorities.

Designed by Tasmanian Colonial Architect William Nevin, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse demonstrates the refined and practical lighthouse architecture of the late Victorian period. The tower stands 16m high from base to lantern, with its focal plane 21m above sea level due to its position atop the coastal bluff. Though modest in scale compared to some of Australia’s larger lighthouses, its placement ensures the light is visible for approximately 18 nautical miles, providing essential guidance to vessels approaching Devonport from Bass Strait.

The lighthouse’s construction represents a notable achievement in colonial engineering, particularly considering its challenging clifftop location. Built from locally supplied brick, the tower features an elegant tapered design with buttressed base that gives it stability against the powerful winds that frequently sweep across Bass Strait. The structure’s enduring quality and distinctive red and white vertical striped appearance have made it one of Tasmania’s most recognizable and photographed lighthouses.

One of Mersey Bluff’s most distinctive features is its cast iron and copper lantern room, an elegant curved glass enclosure that houses the optical apparatus. The lantern room is topped with a domed copper roof and ornate weather vane, adding architectural distinction to the functional structure. The interior features a narrow but serviceable iron staircase leading from base to lantern platform, providing access for generations of keepers to maintain the light.

Throughout its operational history, the lighthouse underwent several technological transitions reflecting the evolution of lighthouse illumination. The original kerosene lamp was replaced by acetylene gas in the 1930s, allowing for automated operation. Electrification came in 1952, dramatically improving reliability and brightness while further reducing the need for constant human supervision. The lighthouse was fully automated in 1978, ending the era of regular keeper attendance at the station.

Unlike many of Australia’s more remote lighthouses, Mersey Bluff never maintained permanent resident keepers’ quarters on site. Instead, it was serviced by keepers who lived in nearby Devonport and made daily or weekly visits to maintain the light and mechanism. This arrangement was possible due to the lighthouse’s proximity to the established township, making it one of Tasmania’s more accessible light stations.

The maritime approaches to the Mersey River have claimed a number of vessels over the years, and despite the lighthouse’s guidance, the combination of strong currents, scattered reefs, and fierce weather conditions made the waters around Tasmania’s northern coast remain challenging for mariners throughout much of the region’s maritime history.

Like many historic lighthouses, Mersey Bluff has accumulated its share of local folklore and legends over its long history. One persistent story involves reports of mysterious lights sometimes seen moving around the base of the tower on stormy nights, attributed by some local traditions to the restless spirit of a sailor lost in the waters before the lighthouse was built. While never officially documented, these tales contribute to the rich cultural heritage surrounding the lighthouse.

Today, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse continues to function as an active lighthouse and has become one of Devonport’s most significant historical landmarks and tourist attractions.

Having withstood more than 135 years of Bass Strait’s sometimes turbulent weather, Mersey Bluff Lighthouse stands as an enduring symbol of Tasmania’s rich maritime heritage. Its distinctive red and white tower set against the dramatic backdrop of coastal bluffs and the vast expanse of Bass Strait continues to be one of Tasmania’s most photographed lighthouses and is a cherished landmark for the Devonport community.

Technical Details:

First Exhibited: 1889

Architect: William Nevin

Status: Active

Location: Lat: 41° 09.8660′ S Long: 146° 21.2760′ E

Original Optic: Fourth-order Chance Brothers dioptric apparatus

Current Optic: Modern 250mm focal radius lens (replaced original)

Automated: 1978

Demanned: 1978

Construction: Brick and stone tower with iron lantern

Height: 16 m

Elevation: 21 m

Range: Nominal: 15 nml Geographical: 18 nml

Character: Flashing white light: 1.5s on, 2.5s off

Intensity: 110,000 cd

Light Source: Currently 120V LED array

Power Source: Solar with battery backup

Operator: Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)