Cape Schanck, Administrative area in Mornington Peninsula, Australia.
Cape Schanck is an administrative area on the Mornington Peninsula that reaches the southernmost tip, separating Bass Strait from Western Port. The region includes a resort with dining, golf facilities, and lodging, plus a historic lighthouse perched on limestone cliffs.
Lieutenant James Grant named this place in 1800 after Captain John Schank, who designed an innovative keel for the Lady Nelson ship. The lighthouse was built in 1859, marking an early period of coastal navigation aids in the region.
The Boonwurrung people called this area Tunnahan, marking it as a significant coastal place with deep ties to the sea. That connection to the ocean remains central to how locals understand and value the region today.
The area is easily accessed on foot, and visitors will find wide open views across the water and cliffs. Spend time walking the coastal paths to enjoy the landscape, and allow extra time if you plan to visit both the lighthouse and the resort facilities.
The lighthouse features an unusual spiral staircase carved entirely from stone rather than the typical metal construction found in many lighthouses. This crafted detail sets it apart from similar structures built in later years.
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