Colonel's Light Vision Statue, Adelaide
The Colonel Light Vision Statue in Adelaide commemorates Colonel William Light (1786–1839), a distinguished soldier, sailor, linguist, musician, and painter who played a pivotal role as the first surveyor-general of Adelaide. Colonel Light is widely celebrated for his innovative design of the city's grid-like layout, surrounded by parklands, a plan famously known as "Light's Vision." This visionary urban design was remarkably ahead of its time and remains a defining feature of Adelaide.
The bronze statue of Colonel Light, sculpted by Scottish artist William Birnie Rhind, depicts him in the uniform of the British Royal Engineers, though recreating the 1830s uniform caused delays. The statue stands on a pedestal made of grey and Murray Bridge red granite. The front inscription highlights Light's role in planning Adelaide, while the back features a wreath from the 1917 Australian town planning conference and an excerpt from Light's journal, ironically thanking his critics for the responsibility of choosing the city's location.
Initially installed in Victoria Square in 1906, the statue was later relocated in 1938 to Montefiore Hill, coinciding with the centenary of Light's death. For many years, the statue of Colonel Light stood with his right arm extended, pointing towards the city below, with a map in his left hand. According to local legend, this gesture mimics the moment in 1837 when Light stood on Montefiore Hill, declaring, "This is the place for a city."
The bronze statue of Colonel Light, sculpted by Scottish artist William Birnie Rhind, depicts him in the uniform of the British Royal Engineers, though recreating the 1830s uniform caused delays. The statue stands on a pedestal made of grey and Murray Bridge red granite. The front inscription highlights Light's role in planning Adelaide, while the back features a wreath from the 1917 Australian town planning conference and an excerpt from Light's journal, ironically thanking his critics for the responsibility of choosing the city's location.
Initially installed in Victoria Square in 1906, the statue was later relocated in 1938 to Montefiore Hill, coinciding with the centenary of Light's death. For many years, the statue of Colonel Light stood with his right arm extended, pointing towards the city below, with a map in his left hand. According to local legend, this gesture mimics the moment in 1837 when Light stood on Montefiore Hill, declaring, "This is the place for a city."
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Adelaide. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Colonel's Light Vision Statue on Map
Sight Name: Colonel's Light Vision Statue
Sight Location: Adelaide, Australia (See walking tours in Adelaide)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Adelaide, Australia (See walking tours in Adelaide)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Adelaide, Australia
Create Your Own Walk in Adelaide
Creating your own self-guided walk in Adelaide is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
University of Adelaide Walking Tour
Established in 1874, the University of Adelaide is the third oldest university in Australia. Its main campus on North Terrace, nestled in the cultural heart of the city, adjacent to the Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum and the State Library of South Australia, contains some of Adelaide's most iconic and historically significant buildings.
As the earliest home of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
As the earliest home of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Adelaide Introduction Walking Tour
Adelaide, Australia is the fifth most popular city in the country. It is also the capital of the state of Southern Australia. It was settled by the British in 1836 and named after Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV.
The settlement of Adelaide was inspired by the need for a city made for free colonists rather than convicts. Edward Gibbon Wakefield led this plan. Settlers were given... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The settlement of Adelaide was inspired by the need for a city made for free colonists rather than convicts. Edward Gibbon Wakefield led this plan. Settlers were given... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Adelaide Squares and Monuments Tour
Adelaide is a modern metropolis with spacious squares, both functional and beautiful, providing flexible spaces for the community and accommodating a variety of activities. There is also a multitude of historical monuments and statues found in the central quarters of the city. Wandering along the cultural North Terrace boulevard, you will pass by some of the most striking of them.
Most of these... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Most of these... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Adelaide's Historical Religious Buildings
Adelaide's religious scene is quite diverse, boasting a wealth of denominations such as Christian (like Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, or Orthodox), Islamic, and others. Quite naturally, over the years this has given rise to a rich tapestry of religious sites, many of which today are considered Australia's heritage.
Among these landmarks is Saint Mary's Catholic Church, an iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.5 Km or 4 Miles
Among these landmarks is Saint Mary's Catholic Church, an iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.5 Km or 4 Miles