Point Lonsdale Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Entrance to Port Phillip Bay Victoria< Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°17′31″S 144°36′50″E / 38.29194°S 144.61389°E |
| Year first lit | 20 March 1902 |
| Automated | 1999 |
| Construction | concrete tower on octagonal prism signal station and observation room |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and black lantern and dome |
| Height | 21.3 metres (70 ft) |
| Focal height | 36.6 metres (120 ft) |
| Range | 22 kilometres (14 mi) (white light) 19 kilometres (12 mi) (red light) |
| Characteristic | Fl (2) W 15s. (horizontal beam) |
| Fog signal | diaphone: 2 blast every 30 seconds |
The Point Lonsdale Lighthouse is also called the Point Lonsdale Signal Station. You can find it near the town of Point Lonsdale in Victoria, Australia.
This lighthouse stands at the eastern end of the Bellarine Peninsula. It guards the entrance to Port Phillip Bay from Bass Strait. The area it watches over, called the "Rip," is known for being a tricky part of the ocean. It's the only way ships can reach Melbourne by sea. The Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) runs the lighthouse.
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What the Lighthouse Looks Like
The Victorian Public Works Department designed this lighthouse. Coate Brothers built it. It has a classic design, like many lighthouses from the late 1800s.
The tower is round and made of strong concrete. On top, there's a special lantern from Chance Brothers. The light inside has changed over time. It started with an oil lamp, then became an acetylene light, and now it's electric.
Around the bottom of the tower is an octagon-shaped building. This two-story brick building is the signal station. It's also an observation room. Halfway up the tower, there's a platform. This platform holds red and green navigation lights. These lights help guide ships safely.
History of the Lighthouse
The first navigation aid at Point Lonsdale was a signal station. It was built in 1852. A red pillar beacon was added in 1856.
In 1863, an older wooden lighthouse was moved here. It was painted with black and red stripes. This lighthouse used a temporary light at first. A permanent light was lit in 1867. The current concrete tower replaced it in 1902. The old wooden tower was taken down in 1912. Its wood was even used for firewood.
The lighthouse was managed by the state of Victoria until 1915. Then, the Commonwealth (federal government) took over. In 1934, it was given back to Victoria. It was then called a "Harbour Entrance Light." This meant it guided ships into the harbor.
The signal station and observation room were added in 1950. The light itself became automatic in 1999. However, the signal station still has staff working there. They control commercial ships moving in and out of Port Phillip Heads. This makes it one of the last lighthouses in Australia that is still staffed.
Why This Lighthouse is Important
The Point Lonsdale Lighthouse area is very special. It includes the lighthouse and other buildings used for guiding ships. There are also old military defence structures nearby. These were built during the First and Second World Wars.
The whole area is important for its design, past, and hidden remains. It is listed by Heritage Victoria. This shows its value to the state of Victoria.
It has great historical importance. It shows how vital shipping was for trade in Victoria. The lighthouse was the first light ships saw when entering Port Phillip from the sea. The defence buildings show how important it was to protect Melbourne and Geelong during the World Wars.
The buildings, like the 1884 foghorn shed, are also architecturally important. The lighthouse itself is a beautiful example of early 20th-century design. The foghorn shed is unique. It still has its original Gardner Engine. This engine sends air to tanks to power the foghorn. This is a rare sight. The area also has archaeological value. It might hold clues about how the light station was used in the past.
The Lighthouse Today
The outside of the lighthouse was fixed up in 1997. In 2002, the inside was also restored. Celebrations for its 100th birthday were held on March 23, 2002.
The lighthouse has a working foghorn. It sounds two blasts every 30 seconds when it's foggy. You can visit the area around the tower. The Queenscliffe Maritime Museum offers tours of the tower on Sundays. The ocean waters around the lighthouse are protected. They are part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park.
See also
