Smoky Cape

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Smoky Cape (30°54′S, 153°06′E[1]) is a headland in Australia on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast. It lies just south of the town of South West Rocks, and within the Hat Head National Park.

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[edit] Cape

The cape was named Smooky Cape by Captain Cook when he passed it on 13 May 1770, writing of "a point or headland, on which were fires that Caused a great Quantity of smook, which occasioned my giving it the name of Smooky Cape".[2] Smook was his usual spelling of smoke, the spelling for the cape now follows the modern spelling. The hills there were an important meeting place for aboriginal people from various surrounding areas, it's possible Cook saw fires from such a gathering.[3]

A lighthouse was proposed for the cape in 1886 and completed in 1891, built from concrete and local granite aggregate in an octagonal shape at the highest point on the cape. In 1962 the light was electrified and some time around 1988 it was automated. The lens system is still the original.[4]

Today the head keeper's cottage is run as a bed and breakfast, and two other cottages as holiday houses, leased from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.[5][6]

[edit] Fish Rock

Fish Rock is a small bare rock which juts out of the sea just south-east of the cape. It's a noted scuba diving location and home to various fish species.[7] A 120 metre cave runs right under the rock and there are various gutters nearby where Grey Nurse Sharks live. The area is one of about a dozen in New South Wales recognised as critical for the shark, and for that reason fishing is restricted.[8]

[edit] Green Island

Green Island is a small island close to the coast just north of the cape. It too is a critical habitat area for the Grey Nurse Shark.[9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Smoky Cape page at Geoscience Australia
  2. ^ Ray Parkin, H. M. Bark Endeavour, Miegunyah Press, second edition 2003, ISBN 0-522-85093-6, page 227.
  3. ^ Valley of the Macleay, Marie H. Neil, 1972, ISBN 0-85587-037-0, chapters 2 and 3
  4. ^ The Smoky Cape Lighthouse at lighthouse.net.au
  5. ^ Smoky Cape Lighthouse lease, press release 5 July 2005 by the |NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
  6. ^ Smoky Cape Bed & Breakfast web site
  7. ^ Shark Gutters - Fish Rock by Michael McFadyen
  8. ^ Protecting the Grey Nurse Shark - Fish Rock near South West Rocks at the NSW Department of Primary Industries
  9. ^ Protecting the Grey Nurse Shark - Green Island near South West Rocks at the NSW Department of Primary Industries

[edit] External links