MT. LOFTY


Grid Reference -34.974593, 138.709162 (GDA 94)
Department CFS
Work Centre ?
District ?
Grading ?
Elevation (ASL) 720m
Height 35m to Gondola
Construction Steel
Cabin size ?
Public access to site Invitation only
In use since 1980 - curent
Details supplied by Paul Ennis.
Photo (2008) supplied by Andre Belterman

The tower was damaged but not put out of service in the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires.

Please click on thumbnails for enlargements
2008 close-up of the cabin
supplied by Andre Belterman
2008 looking upwards
supplied by Andre Belterman
2008 sign @ bottom of tower
supplied by Andre Belterman

For a story about a generous donation in 2011, please click here.

Below is an extract from the Fire Tower chapter of a book, Forestry Tales, that was written by Michael H. Bleby OAM. It is used with permission, thanks Michael.
It was after the first Ash Wednesday fire in 1980 that a new fire lookout tower was built at Mt Lofty summit. It was initially manned by the CFS and subsequently a brigade of volunteer observers. The advent of this tower, with its commanding view, gave us valuable cross reference information on smoke sightings. During the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires this tower was under threat and damaged by the fire that ran through the Cleland Wildlife Reserve.

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