Cape du Couedic

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Cape du Couedic

Location: Kangaroo Island, Australia
Year first lit: 1909
Automated: 1957
Height: 25 metres
Elevation: 103 metres
Intensity: 38,000 CD
Range: 17 nautical miles (31 km)

Cape du Couedic 36°03.5′S, 136°41.9′E is the south-western point of Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia. Cape du Couedic was named in 1803 by French explorer Nicolas Baudin in honour of his friend and famous French sea captain Charles Louis, Chevalier du Couedic de Kergoualer (1740-1780).

The Cape du Couedic Lighthouse is a prominent landmark. Constructed between 1906-1909, it consists of a tower built from 2,000 pieces of local stone, together with three four-roomed cottages to house the head keeper and two assistants with their families.

For many of its early years the site was inaccessible by land. Stores, materials and equipment brought by boat were hauled up to the lighthouse by a flying fox winching system originally powered by a pair of horses.

Today the lighthouse is automated and visitors to the area can stay in the old keepers' cottages.

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