A lightning strike damaged the Obelisk at Freeman’s Knob during a violent storm on the south coast on the morning of Monday 11 December.

The historic monument overlooks Port Elliot’s Horseshoe Bay and was built as a navigation aid for shipping in January 1852.

This followed the official proclamation of Port Elliot as a port in 1851.

According Monument Australia, the obelisk was visible for 10 miles out to sea and a blue flag was raised on the flagstaff when the channel into port was considered unsafe.

Alexandrina Council has closed the area to the public while it assesses the extent of the damage.

“The Obelisk is a heritage-listed asset, and it is insured, so we are in the process of obtaining an engineer’s report on the damage and engaging a heritage architect to assess repair options.

“The insurance processing, assessments and repairs will take some time, but we hope to have the Obelisk open to the public as soon as possible in 2024.”

ABC Radio has reported that the lightning strike shattered and split the Obelisk’s wooden flagpole and damaged the stone structure.

Local Peter Nichols documented the damage on Facebook.