Historic Ruins & Heritage

Low Head light house

📍 Low Head TAS 7253, Australia

No photos yet

4.4/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: Australia, Launceston
Category: Historic Ruins & Heritage
Duration: 1-2 hours
Ticket Price: The lighthouse area is free; tower access and penguin tours must be booked
Address: Low Head TAS 7253, Australia
Coordinates: -41.0620, 146.7860

Introduction

Low Head Lighthouse stands on the western shore of the Tamar River mouth at Low Head. Built in the 1830s, it is the third-oldest lighthouse in Australia and still in operation. Its white tower and red lantern sit where the Tamar meets Bass Strait, with views over the river entrance, the sandbars and Beauty Point across the water. The keeper's cottages and a maritime signal station survive beside it, some available for booking — a rare chance in Tasmania to stay at a lighthouse. At dusk little penguins often come ashore along the coast and breakwater here, with guided viewing available, making this a half-day outing from Launceston that combines history and nature.

✨ Highlights

Australia's third-oldest lighthouse

Built in the 1830s and still operating, its white tower and red lantern are the landmark of the Tamar mouth.

Views over river and strait

At the river entrance, it looks over sandbars, the channel and Beauty Point opposite, with wide sea and sky.

Staying in the keeper's cottages

Keeper's cottages and a maritime signal station survive beside the tower, some bookable — a rare lighthouse stay.

Penguins at dusk

Little penguins often come ashore along the coast and breakwater in the evening, with guided viewing available.

🛈 Practical Info

→Time needed：About 1–2 hours, longer with the penguin tour

→Best season：Year-round; penguin arrivals are most reliable in the spring and autumn breeding seasons

→Note：No flash around the penguins, do not approach or feed them, and keep quiet

→Ticket Information：The lighthouse area is free; tower access and penguin tours must be booked

→Transportation：About 45 minutes' drive from Launceston, on the west bank of the Tamar mouth

💡 Tips

• Never use flash around the little penguins — bright light damages their eyesight.

• The river mouth is windy and cool; bring a windproof jacket for evening penguin viewing.

• Keeper's cottages need to be booked well ahead, especially in peak season.

• Combine with Seahorse World and Platypus House at Beauty Point in one day.

FAQ

How much is the admission for Low Head light house?

The lighthouse area is free; tower access and penguin tours must be booked

Any practical tips for visiting Low Head light house?

Never use flash around the little penguins — bright light damages their eyesight. The river mouth is windy and cool; bring a windproof jacket for evening penguin viewing.