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History & Information | Photographs | Map and Access Details | Links HISTORY & INFORMATION The Point Lonsdale Signal Station, commonly called the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, was built in 1902. It commands a spectacular view of 'the Rip,' the entrance to Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Australia. This stretch of water is regarded as one of the ten most treacherous navigable passages in the world.Point Lonsdale received a signal station in 1852 to help ships negotiate its dangerous waters. Four years later, a red pillar beacon was built to warn of Lonsdale Rock. A wooden lighthouse from Shortlands Bluff was then dismantled and re-erected at Point Lonsdale in 1863. The tower is 21.3 metres tall and stands 36.6 metres above sea level. The lens is made up of approximately 70 pieces of glass that were ground by hand in England in 1901. A complete set of spares was made at the same time and has never been used. In 1950 an octagonal structure was constructed at the base of the tower which provides an observation room and shipping control room. The lighthouse is staffed 24 hours a day by staff who organise commercial shipping within designated areas inside and outside Port Phillip Heads. No master or Pilot can enter the Heads area without contacting and gaining permission from the Point Lonsdale Signal Station. This is possibly the last manned lighthouse in Australia.
Sources: Photographed by K. Eggleston, 28 November 1999 © Kristie Eggleston
Page last updated: 29 December 2003 Copyright © 1999-2003 Kristie Eggleston. All rights reserved. Email: kristie_eggleston@hotmail.com |
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