Cape Willoughby Information
Map | View detailed map of Cape Willoughby
Highlights of Kangaroo Island
Situated on the shores of the beautiful Nepean Bay, with a panoramic view of the boat-studded..
Vivonne Bay InformationRecently proclaimed the 'best beach' in Australia after extensive research by Sydney University and..
American River InformationAmerican River is a small town tucked into native bushland overlooking Eastern Cove and Pelican..
North Coast InformationThe North Coast has its own unique character - from the rugged, isolated northwest through to the..
Emu Bay InformationVery popular bay on Kangaroo Island. Ideal for holiday makers with accommodation available..
Admirals Arch InformationWitness the amazing wild forces of nature. A viewing platform and boardwalk around the cliff face..
Parndana Wildlife Park InformationThe Parndana Wildlife Park offers visitors an opportunity to get very close to some rare and..
Seal Bay InformationSeal Bay Conservation Park is situated on the south coast of Kangaroo Island, approximately one..
Stokes Bay InformationStokes Bay is a very special beach, in fact, in 2005, it was voted as Australia's 7th best beach by..
See all locations in Kangaroo IslandCape Willoughby Information
Cape Willoughby Lightstation is located on a 17 hectare property which consists of the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse (Sturt Light), lighthouse keepers' cottages, weather station and ruins of the original lighthouse keepers' cottages and jetty.
Guided tours of Sturt Light and the weather station are conducted daily (except Christmas Day). You can climb to the top of Sturt Light to experience the panoramic view of Backstairs Passage, Fleurieu Peninsula and Dudley Peninsula. Tours operate at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm in summer, autumn and spring holiday periods and 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2pm at all other times.
Email a travel consultant
The Head Keeper's Cottage and one Lightkeepers' Cottage are available for accommodation. Experience living at a remote working lightstation.
Matthew Flinders discovered Kangaroo Island in 1802 and named the area Cape Theta. The name was changed to Cape Willoughby between 1810 and 1814. Cape Willoughby is thought to be named after a village in Lincolnshire, England, however, it may have also been named after Sir Nesbit Josiah Willoughby who defeated the French at Mauritius while Matthew Flinders was a prisoner of the French.
The shipping trade was vital for the development of the young colony of South Australia before the advent of efficient forms of land transport. Cape Willoughby Lighthouse was built to assist the safe and economic operation of the rapidly expanding coastal shipping trade between the eastern colonies and the colony of South Australia, via Backstairs Passage. It is renowned for being a treacherous stretch of water. Some hazards include the Yatala Shoal (reef), The Pages Islands, the Scraper, strong tidal currents and high wind velocity.
Visiting Cape Willoughby?
Highlights of South Australia
Adelaide is often overlooked by travellers as a little more than a pathway to the amazing Barossa..
Barossa InformationEven before that first taste of full-bodied red wine is swallowed down a thirsty throat..
Adelaide Hills InformationA half hour or so’s drive from Adelaide will find you in a pocket of paradise called the Adelaide..
Clare Valley InformationEver wanted to find the face behind the wine? Who spent the months growing the grapes to..
Limestone Coast InformationBefore the southern ocean receded, millions of years worth of marine sediment was laid down to form..
Eyre Peninsula InformationYou’ll find the natives of Eyre Peninsula pretty friendly. It’s just that not that many of them..
Fleurieu Peninsula InformationJust a short drive to the south of Adelaide, the lovely Fleurieu Peninsula is a mix of beautiful..
Port Augusta InformationPort Augusta is known as the Crossroads of Australia, where roads from Adelaide, the Flinders..
Port Elliot/Horseshoe Bay InformationOne of the sweetest beach settings in South Australia, Port Elliot is a popular tourist..
Victor Harbor InformationJust an hour from Adelaide, Victor Harbor is one of the state's best coastal playgrounds. Enjoy the..
Yorke Peninsula InformationWith over 600 kilometres of coastline, the toughest part about a visit to the Yorke Peninsula is..
See all locations in South AustraliaPopular Searches
