Cape St George Lighthouse

Designed by Colonial Architect Alexander Dawson and constructed in 1859, the lighthouse operated for 39 years before being decommissioned. In 2004, the lighthouse ruins and curtilage were entered on the Commonwealth Heritage List.

Today, the park is owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community and jointly managed with Parks Australia, reflecting the site’s ongoing cultural significance and shared stewardship.

GML was engaged by Parks Australia to prepare a series of reports to support the long-term cultural heritage management of the site, aligned with legislative requirements under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The work applied Parks Australia’s heritage management framework, and combined detailed research, site inspections and consultation with park staff, the Wreck Bay community, and other knowledge-holders.

The project delivered an integrated package of documentation, including a site history, Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment, heritage values reassessment, minimum data reporting, condition and risk analysis, and monitoring, maintenance, and long-term management plans. Together, these establish a robust evidence base to guide future management decision-making.

Key recommendations included refining the site’s historical record and curtilage, strengthening record-keeping systems, implementing priority conservation works, and continuing monitoring and maintenance. Further investigations and supporting plans, including interpretation, archaeological monitoring and disaster risk management, were also identified to support the site’s ongoing care.