Low Head Foghorn

The Low Head Foghorn is sounded each Sunday at noon. Located at the mouth of the Tamar Estuary, it is a unique piece of Tasmania’s maritime history. The Foghorn was installed in 1929 and decommissioned in 1973.

It was restored in early 2000 by a group of volunteers. It is the only operational G-type diaphone in the world. The building also houses a very rare Gardner model 2 DCR kerosene engine. Under ideal conditions, the Foghorn can be heard approximately 30 kilometres out to sea.

If you visit at a time other than noon Sundays, please feel free to use the QR codes on the signage to experience this unique attraction.

In the nearby Old Quarters building (c. 1830) you will find the newly opened Marine Education Centre.

The centre gives people of all ages the opportunity to learn about and care for the marine environment.

You can even view a crab bigger than a penguin. The 14 Tasmanian lighthouses are featured and include a lighthouse puzzle.

The centre is open from 11:30-12:30 on Sundays to coincide with the Foghorn sounding.

The associated Lighthouse was built in 1888, replacing the original 1833 convict-built structure. It is 19 metres high and with an elevation of 43 metres, it dominates the headland.