Cliffy Island Lighthouse

Cliffy Island Lighthouse has a focal height of 52 metres and a tower height of 12 metres. It was built in 1884.

Focal height
52 metres
Tower height
12 metres
Built
1884
Automated
1971
Light characteristic
Fl W 5s.
Coordinates
-38.95072, 146.70569
Cliffy Island Lighthouse

The Cliffy Island Lighthouse is located in Bass Strait, approximately 17 nautical miles south of Port Albert, Victoria, Australia. The lighthouse was constructed on site in 1884 from granite quarried on the island. It features a cylindrical tower with a balcony and lantern, and stands at a height of 12 meters. The lighthouse was automated in 1971, and its intensity is 15,300 cd, with a focal height of 52 meters above sea level.

The Cliffy Island Lighthouse plays a crucial role in warning approaching vessels of rocks in Bass Strait by emitting a flash of white light every five seconds. The site is managed by the Victoria Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, while the lighthouse itself is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Unfortunately, the island is accessible only by helicopter, and the entire site is closed to the public.

The Cliffy Island Lighthouse has an interesting history, with the original lighthouse and keeper's houses being constructed in 1884. The keeper's houses were demolished in 1971, when the lighthouse was automated, but the stone walls that surrounded the houses remain. The lighthouse is also significant due to its unique location, being situated atop a steep-sided island that is the summit of a granite submarine mountain in Bass Strait.

Light and tower

It has a cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern tower. The tower is built of granite. Its daymark is unpainted tower, white lantern and gallery. The light has a focal height of 52 metres. Its light characteristic is Fl W 5s. It carries a [[Fresnel lens]] lens. It was automated in 1971. It is managed by Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Details

Marking
unpainted tower, white lantern and gallery
Lens Type
[[Fresnel lens]]
Foundation
granite basement
Year Built
1884
Description
The '''Cliffy Island Lighthouse''' is located atop Cliffy Island, a steep-sided island which is the summit of a granite submarine mountain in the Bass Strait. Cliffy Island is located about 32 kilometres directly south of Port Albert, and roughly 38 kilometres to the northeast of Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse in Victoria, Australia. The lighthouse warns approaching vessels of rocks in Bass Strait by emitting a flash of white light every five seconds. The focal plane of the lightsource and Fresnel lens is situated 52 metres above sea level. The site is managed by the Victoria Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, while the lighthouse itself is operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The island is accessible only by helicopter, and the entire site is closed to the public.
Tower Shape
cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Image Caption
Cliffy Island Lighthouse, 1917
Location Text
[[Bass Strait]]<br /> 17 nmi S of [[Port Albert, Victoria]]<br /> [[Australia]]
Focal Height M
52
Managing Agent
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Tower Height M
12
Year Automated
1971
Intensity Candelas
15,300 [[Candela|cd]]
Light Characteristic
Fl W 5s.
Construction Material
granite tower