The SS Mildura was a cattle ship that sank on March 10, 1907. The ship passed through the reef off the northwest of Western Australia and was damaged. The 2,217 tonne steel steamer was built in Glasgow in 1901. However, although the crew was rescued, all the livestock on board were left to die.
Today, the wreck can be found at the end of Mildura Wreck Road. It now features a site to the delight of photographers, as well as a reef shark hatchery. The place is known as Vlamingh Head. The Department of Port and Lights decided to build a lighthouse on the site in 1909 and it was finally built in 1912. It is a concrete tower 12.2 m high and 73.2 m above sea level. It was originally known as the Northwest Cape Lighthouse at Vlamingh Head. However, due to the location of, it has become a popular watchtower for enjoying the most spectacular views of the Ningaloo Reef and the Cape. The first light coming from it was on December 10, 1912. Although the tower was once damaged by a cyclone, it was completely restored later. It is the only lighthouse in Australia that burns kerosene.
However, the original Guardian Cabins that were built in 1912 are used as a personal residence for Caravan Park owners today. It is an excellent place to observe the great variety of wildlife in the area. The osprey, sea eagles and humpback whales during their migration are the most common. The place has gained its historical importance since the view of the shipwreck of the SS Mildura can be seen directly from the shores of the Bay. Along with this, the bay also has a variety of beaches to its credit. The beaches are ideal for fishing, swimming and windsurfing. In addition, it is an ideal place to see the famous Western Australian sunset.
The Northwest Cape is a very important place as it acted as a refueling depot for US Navy ships during World War II. A radar pole was developed for the operation near the Vlamingh lighthouse. Eight years after World War II, in 1953 a cyclone damaged both facilities. Although the rooms and main parts of the tower did not suffer much damage and repaired in the next year, the radar tower deteriorated to such an extent that it could not be restored again and therefore a replica structure was built in 2001 The light source in the Vlamingh. The head is obtained by heating kerosene in steam pipes. However, after 1953, the tower was again damaged by Cyclone Vance in 1999. A large amount of restoration work was carried out in late 2000 and early 2001.
Recently there is no tour to the place. However, it deserves to be the most extinct tourist spot on the Exmouth Sea. It is closer to Surfer Beach and Ningaloo Marine Park. Mackerel Island with its 200 species of coral and a small museum is another exclusive tourist destination next door. If you are a fish lover, Oyster Stacks and Turquoise Bay along the beach are the best spots for you.