There’s something romantic about lighthouses, and in moments of madness, my wife and I sometimes dream of living in one one day. Historically, it was not a life for the faint-hearted, though, with most lighthouses having a dramatic story to tell of shipwrecks or storms. The 23 lighthouses that line the coast of Victoria are all automated these days, but many of them can be visited by the general public, and you can even stay in some of them. If you’ve got a story to tell connected to one of Victoria’s lighthouses, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch now, or wait till we post our blog on our own experience and then make a comment to share your story.
Cape Liptrap Lighthouse
From shipwrecks to light planes plunging into the sea, Cape Liptrap Lighthouse has seen a lot going on since the first light was installed - unmanned - in 1913. The current light dates from 1951.
Port Melbourne Leading Lights
Port Melbourne Leading Lights were installed in 1924 to help ships find their berth at nearby wharves. Now surrounded by modern housing but still lining up nicely.
McCrae Eastern Lighthouse
The metallic tower of Eastern Lighthouse between Dromana and Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula might look more like a UFO than its white-stoned sisters, but it served its time after opening in 1884
Cape Nelson Lighthouse
Victoria's most westerly lighthouse has been guiding ships towards Melbourne since 1884, though it took 25 years to raise the funds to have it built on the coast near Portland.
Whaler’s Bluff Lighthouse – Portland
First built in 1859, this lighthouse looking over Portland harbour used to be on the other side of the bay. Now it sits on this grassy bluff, with lucky residents' gardens just yards away.
Cape Otway Lighthouse
Built in 1848, Cape Otway Lighthouse was so isolated in the early years that the lighthouse keeper only found out about the Gold Rush when his annual delivery of supplies including newspapers arrived
Queenscliff White Lighthouse – aka Queenscliff Low Light
The Queenscliff White Lighthouse has been watching over passing ships since 1862, with pilots and navigators lining it up with the Black Lighthouse on the hill for entry into Port Phillip Bay
Queenscliff High Lighthouse
The black lighthouse at Queenscliff pre-dates the Fort that now surrounds it by about 20 years. It's been guiding ships through Port Phillip Heads since 1863 and still does
Timeball Tower – Williamstown
Originally a lighthouse at Gellibrand Point, this timeball tower ended up helping ships keep their timepieces accurate for many decades. Ceased work in 1926 but had a makeover recently.
Lady Bay Lower Lighthouse – Warrnambool
Lady Bay Lower Lighthouse teams up with her Upper sister to guide boats into Warrnambool harbour. No access to this lighthouse which is part of the Flagstaff Hill Village
Lady Bay Upper Lighthouse – Warrnambool
Lady Bay Upper lighthouse sits in Warrnambool's Flagstaff Hill Village looking down over the bay, with its breakwater and reef. On the Shipwreck Coast.
Port Fairy Lighthouse – Griffiths Island
Port Fairy Lighthouse on Griffiths Island sits almost at sea level on the Great Ocean Road. A distinguished red nose on top and red door with path which used to lead back to keeper cottages
Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet
Tall, majestic 'White Queen' lighthouse at Split Point near Aireys Inlet on the Great Ocean Road. Fabulous views over the rocks and reefs. Nice tea room too in the old lighthouse stables
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse
Point Lonsdale lighthouse has guarded the entrance to Port Phillip Bay since 1902. It towers over treacherous waters known as The Rip, close to a spot where the man famous for Buckleys Chance lived
Cape Liptrap Lighthouse
From shipwrecks to light planes plunging into the sea, Cape Liptrap Lighthouse has seen a lot going on since the first light was installed - unmanned - in 1913. The current light dates from 1951.
Port Melbourne Leading Lights
Port Melbourne Leading Lights were installed in 1924 to help ships find their berth at nearby wharves. Now surrounded by modern housing but still lining up nicely.
McCrae Eastern Lighthouse
The metallic tower of Eastern Lighthouse between Dromana and Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula might look more like a UFO than its white-stoned sisters, but it served its time after opening in 1884
Cape Nelson Lighthouse
Victoria's most westerly lighthouse has been guiding ships towards Melbourne since 1884, though it took 25 years to raise the funds to have it built on the coast near Portland.
Whaler’s Bluff Lighthouse – Portland
First built in 1859, this lighthouse looking over Portland harbour used to be on the other side of the bay. Now it sits on this grassy bluff, with lucky residents' gardens just yards away.
Cape Otway Lighthouse
Built in 1848, Cape Otway Lighthouse was so isolated in the early years that the lighthouse keeper only found out about the Gold Rush when his annual delivery of supplies including newspapers arrived
Queenscliff White Lighthouse – aka Queenscliff Low Light
The Queenscliff White Lighthouse has been watching over passing ships since 1862, with pilots and navigators lining it up with the Black Lighthouse on the hill for entry into Port Phillip Bay
Queenscliff High Lighthouse
The black lighthouse at Queenscliff pre-dates the Fort that now surrounds it by about 20 years. It's been guiding ships through Port Phillip Heads since 1863 and still does
Timeball Tower – Williamstown
Originally a lighthouse at Gellibrand Point, this timeball tower ended up helping ships keep their timepieces accurate for many decades. Ceased work in 1926 but had a makeover recently.
Lady Bay Lower Lighthouse – Warrnambool
Lady Bay Lower Lighthouse teams up with her Upper sister to guide boats into Warrnambool harbour. No access to this lighthouse which is part of the Flagstaff Hill Village
Lady Bay Upper Lighthouse – Warrnambool
Lady Bay Upper lighthouse sits in Warrnambool's Flagstaff Hill Village looking down over the bay, with its breakwater and reef. On the Shipwreck Coast.
Port Fairy Lighthouse – Griffiths Island
Port Fairy Lighthouse on Griffiths Island sits almost at sea level on the Great Ocean Road. A distinguished red nose on top and red door with path which used to lead back to keeper cottages
Split Point Lighthouse, Aireys Inlet
Tall, majestic 'White Queen' lighthouse at Split Point near Aireys Inlet on the Great Ocean Road. Fabulous views over the rocks and reefs. Nice tea room too in the old lighthouse stables
Point Lonsdale Lighthouse
Point Lonsdale lighthouse has guarded the entrance to Port Phillip Bay since 1902. It towers over treacherous waters known as The Rip, close to a spot where the man famous for Buckleys Chance lived