Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Historic lighthouse on the Victorian coast, Australia
Cape Nelson Lighthouse is a white tower with red accents standing on a headland along Victoria's coastline. The site includes keeper's quarters, support buildings, perimeter walls, and pathways that lead down toward the ocean and surrounding landscape.
The lighthouse began service in 1884 following years of construction using stone quarried locally and assembled into a lasting structure. Its establishment marked a turning point in making Australia's dangerous coastline safer for shipping traffic.
The lighthouse represents Australia's maritime connection to Europe and shows how vital shipping routes were for early settlement. The buildings and grounds tell the story of the lighthouse keepers and their families who lived and worked at this remote coastal station.
The site is open during daylight hours and visitors can explore the grounds independently or join a guided tour. The climb to the tower is steep, so wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for physical exertion during the ascent.
The lighthouse transitioned from open flames to oil-burning technology in the early 1900s, a major step forward in reliable lighting. Electric power was later added, placing it among the earliest Australian lighthouses to adopt this innovation.
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