This is the oldest
lighthouse in South Africa having been commissioned in 1824 and is now a
National Monument. The purpose of the visit was twofold; to visit the
headquarters of the Lighthouse and Navigation Services (LNS) business unit of
Transnet and to obtain the proof photograph.
On arrival I met Ms Tasneem
Jacobs who, amongst other functions, is responsible for the reservations of the
four cottages available to the public. Reservations can be made by E mail at lighthouse.tourism@transnet.net or by phoning 021 449 2400.
Having stayed at the Danger Point cottage, I can vouch for the high standard of
this accommodation.
Green Point lighthouse also
offers a self-conducted tour of the lighthouse for a small fee with very
detailed returnable information sheets to illustrate and explain the structure
and its exhibits. The beautiful wooden staircase (see below) is the original
installation and the lead safety treads are unique. The thickness of the walls
of the tower was striking, at minimum one metre. An open air viewing platform
is accessible from just below the lantern house, (views below).
This lighthouse is at
Mouille Point even though it called the Green Point lighthouse. It is very
easily accessible from the beach road with adequate parking and was thus an
easy tick in our quest.
