Point Lonsdale lighthouse, Point Lonsdale, Victoria, Australia. 11/01/2015

The Point Lonsdale Signal & Light Station was established in 1843 when a flagstaff was placed at Point Lonsdale. In 1852, a tidal signal station was erected. This was later followed by a 6 metre high red pillar beacon which was constructed at the site in 1856.

A more substantial structure was installed in 1863 - this was the original Queenscliff Low Light which was re-erected at Point Lonsdale. This lighthouse was a prefabricated wooden structure which was initially built in 1853-54. For its operation at Point Lonsdale it was painted with distinctive black and red bands.

The wooden lighthouse was succeeded by the current one in 1902 - though it wasn't dismantled from the site until 1912 when it was cut up for use as firewood.

Current Lighthouse

The current reinforced concrete lighthouse was designed by the Public Works Department of Victoria and was erected in 1902 by the contractors Coates Brothers. It was the first concrete (Portland cement) building in Victoria.

In 1997, the exterior of the lighthouse was restored - this had involved sandblasting, sealing and re-painting. An interior restoration of the lighthouse had taken place in 2002 by Heritage Victoria in collaboration with the Victorian Channels Authority.

In 1999, Point Lonsdale lighthouse was the last lighthouse in Australia to be automated.

Other structures remaining at the Point Lonsdale Light Station include a foghorn shed (1884), a rocket shed - contains two rare vertical boilers (1891), a 200 metre long jetty (c1890), a scend shed (1941), a signal mast (1951), and the remains of the lighthouse keeper's quarters (1860's).

Signal Station

In 1951, a signal mast was erected and a two storey brick octagonal signal station and observation room was built around the base of the lighthouse. The signal station is still in use and is staffed 24 hours a day. It monitors and controls vessel movements at Port Phillip Heads and South Channels.

Foghorn

A weatherboard foghorn shed was constructed at the Point Lonsdale Light Station in 1884. It contained a steam driven foghorn which was replaced by an electrical horn sometime in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s. The old steam driven foghorn has been restored in recent years and is still in operation today - particularly on wet, foggy nights.

Point Lonsdale Lighthouse

Admiralty: K2194
Owner: Port of Melbourne Corporation | Operator: Victorian Channels Authority
Designer: Public Works Department (Victoria)
Current Status: Active
Builder: Coates Brothers
Year Built: 1902 (signal station and observation room built around base of lighthouse in 1951)
Construction: Round concrete tower on octagonal signal station and observation room.
Height: 21.31 m | Elevation above Sea Level: 36.6 m
Light Description: White horizontal beam flashing twice every 15 seconds | Range: White: 12 nm, Red: 10 nm, Green: 10 nm
Power Source: Mains electricity, battery backup
First Lit: 20th of March, 1902
Location Coordinates: 38°17'31.0"S 144°36'50.0"E