Cape Otway Lighthouse
Cape Otway Lighthouse has a focal height of 73 metres, a tower height of 4 metres and a range of 26 nautical miles. It was built in 1848.
- Focal height
- 73 metres
- Tower height
- 4 metres
- Range
- 26 nautical miles
- Built
- 1848
- First lit
- 1994
- Light characteristic
- Fl (3) W 18s. (current)
- Coordinates
- -38.85656, 143.51172
The Cape Otway Lighthouse is located on Cape Otway in southern Victoria, Australia. It was built in 1848 and is Victoria's oldest working lighthouse. The lighthouse is constructed from sandstone and features a conical tower with a balcony and lantern. It stands at a height of 20 meters and has a focal height of 91 meters. The lighthouse was originally lit using a first-order Fresnel lens and had an intensity of 1,000,000 candela.
The Cape Otway Lighthouse has a rich history, being the second lighthouse completed on mainland Australia and the oldest surviving lighthouse in mainland Australia. It was decommissioned in January 1994 after being the longest continuous operating light on the Australian mainland. The site also features a telegraph station that was added in 1859 when Tasmania was connected to the mainland by a submarine telegraph line. Today, the lighthouse is a popular spot for whale watching during winter to spring, and the surrounding area offers accommodation options, including the head keeper's cottage.
The Cape Otway Lighthouse has played a significant role in maritime safety, and its location has witnessed several shipwrecks over the years, including the SS City of Rayville, the first American vessel sunk during World War II. Despite being decommissioned, the lighthouse remains an important part of Australia's history and is now managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The lighthouse is still standing and is a notable landmark in the area, attracting visitors and offering insights into the region's maritime past.
Light and tower
It has a conical tower with balcony and lantern tower. The tower is built of sandstone tower (first)<br>fiberglass tower (current). Its daymark is white tower and lantern. The light has a focal height of 73 metres. The light has a range of 26 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fl (3) W 18s. (current). It carries a First order Fresnel lens. It was first lit in 1994. It is managed by Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
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Details
- Name
- Cape Otway Lightstation
- Marking
- white tower and lantern
- Range Nm
- 26
- Lens Type
- First order Fresnel
- Year Built
- 1848
- Description
- The government reserved the tip of the cape as the site for a lighthouse. Access to the site was difficult; it was eventually reached overland and construction of the Cape Otway Lightstation began in 1846 from stone quarried at the Parker River.
- Tower Shape
- conical tower with balcony and lantern
- Image Caption
- Cape Otway Lighthouse
- Location Text
- [[Cape Otway]]<br>[[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]<br> Australia
- Focal Height M
- 73
- Managing Agent
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority
- Tower Height M
- 4
- Year First Lit
- 1994
- Year Deactivated
- 1994
- Intensity Candelas
- white 1,000,000 [[Candela|cd]]; Red 4,000 cd
- Light Characteristic
- Fl (3) W 18s. (current)
- Construction Material
- sandstone tower (first)<br>fiberglass tower (current)