How long is the Blackhead lighthouse walk?
Answer: The walk starts near the small parking area at the lighthouse. From here you can pick up the Blackhead Path and follow it around the site for about 4Km.
How tall is the Blackhead lighthouse?
Answer: The tower is 52 feet high and painted in white color.
What are some interesting facts about lighthouses?
Lighthouses are uniquely painted to help mariners identify them during daylight. For instance, a lighthouse may be entirely white if it is set against a dark background. Red and white stripes are used when the lighthouse is against a white background, such as cliffs or rocks.
The height of a lighthouse considers the Earth’s curvature; the higher the light above Mean High Water (MHW), the further it can be seen at sea. However, it shouldn’t be so high that local sailors can’t see it. Therefore, lighthouses on cliffs are often shorter, while those near the water are taller.
Lighthouses located close to each other have different flash patterns to help mariners determine their location. Some lighthouses in different regions may share the same flash patterns.
Initially, lighthouses were lit with open fires and later progressed through candles, lanterns, and electric lights.
Today, lighthouses are operated by machines and monitored remotely. Automatic sensors detect extra moisture in the air and activate fog signals accordingly. Radio signals are used to communicate with ships. Before advanced technology, lighthouse keepers managed these tasks.