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The discovery of silver and
lead at Zeehan in the 1890s, greatly increased the traffic
entering the harbour and work started to improve the
entrance. In 1891, a light was exhibited from two white six
sided wooden towers, one on the western side of Entrance
Island, and the other on Bonnet Island. A breakwater was
also constructed at Hells Gate to check the sandbar and in
1899 a light was constructed at Cape Sorell.
The Strahan
Marine Board purchased a dredge in 1909 and continued to
improve the entrance so that larger vessels could enter. The
Entrance Light was powered by gas until 1977, after which
solar panels and batteries were in place. The light was
never manned, although an officer of the Strahan Marine
Board was stationed at Strahan until 19 May 1970, until the
Hobart Marine Board took over.
Islands found in Macquarie
Harbour include: Entrance Island, Bonnet Island (both at the
mouth of the harbour), Twin Island, Cat Island, Neck Island,
Magazine Island, Philips Island, Soldiers Island, Hallidays
Island, Sarah Island, Grummet Island, Shag Islands and
Elizabeth Island. |
