Name and Location

The Port Adelaide “McLaren Parade” Lighthouse is located at 1 McLaren Parade, Port Adelaide SA 5015, Australia, on the eastern bank of the Port River.

Construction and History

The lighthouse's construction date is not recorded in public sources. Its original function was to mark the entrance or a hazard within Port Adelaide's inner harbour, likely erected when river trade was at its peak (late 19th-early 20th century). The structure appears to have been automated, with no keeper's quarters in active use.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a three-storey, square-plan tower integrated into a single building. The construction material is not documented, but it is likely masonry or reinforced concrete, typical of early 20th-century port installations.

Light and Navigation

No public records exist of the original light model, reflector, or Fresnel lens. The lighthouse's light characteristic is unknown, as it appears to function chiefly as an ornamental or secondary light. Focal height and visible range are also undocumented; in practice, the harbour's main channel lights are provided by larger towers and buoys.

Accessibility and Visiting

The site and waterfront path are open to the public at all times. The tower itself is not open for regular interior tours. Visitor facilities include nearby cafés, interpretive signage along the riverbank, guided walking tours of Port Adelaide's maritime history.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse overlooks the Port River and is adjacent to McLaren Parade's riverfront promenades and within sight of the heritage-listed Birkenhead Bridge. The surrounding precinct includes the South Australian Maritime Museum, the National Railway Museum, and a network of former dockside warehouses now converted into cafés and galleries.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Local walking-trail guides note that this squat, unpainted tower—often half-hidden by Norfolk pines—was once mistaken for a former Customs signal station. No well-documented wrecks or keeper tales are specifically associated with it, suggesting its role was secondary to larger navigational aids at the river mouth.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is not formally listed on the South Australian Heritage Register but forms part of the broader Port Adelaide – Port River historic precinct. Many technical details (year built, focal height, light characteristic) remain undocumented in public sources. Where such data are required—for professional navigation or heritage research—it is recommended to consult AMSA publications, official City of Port Adelaide Enfield archives, or on-site inspectors at the harbour authority.

Further Information

The site can be found on OpenStreetMap: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/103232738. Port Adelaide – Port River historic precinct brochures are available from the City of Port Adelaide Enfield visitor centre, and Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) chart summaries for Port Adelaide access channels provide additional information.