Cape Otway Lighthouse, Historical lighthouse in Great Otway National Park, Australia
The limestone structure rises 49 meters above Bass Strait, guiding ships through the waters where the Southern Ocean meets the strait.
Built in 1848, Cape Otway Lighthouse stands as the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia, preventing numerous maritime disasters.
The lighthouse telegraph station from 1859 contains exhibits detailing the maritime history and wartime operations during World War II.
Visitors can access the lighthouse through the Great Ocean Road, with facilities including parking, information centers, and gift stores.
The lighthouse keepers' quarters now serve as accommodation for travelers walking the Great Ocean Walk or exploring the national park.
Location: Colac Otway Shire
Inception: 1848
GPS coordinates: -38.85608,143.51219
Latest update: May 11, 2025 11:59
Historic lighthouses around the world tell the story of the way ships have been guided for hundreds of years. From the rocky coast of Norway to the cliffs of the Pacific, these towers have helped sailors since ancient times. The Tower of Hercules in Spain has been shining over the sea since the second century. The lighthouse at Cape Hatteras in North Carolina watches over the dangerous sands of the Atlantic with its easy-to-spot black and white stripes. Each lighthouse shows the time and place it was built. Some sit on high cliffs exposed to the wind, like Heceta Head in Oregon, whose light reaches out over the ocean. Others mark important points, like Fanad Head in Ireland, which shows where a fjord begins, or Jeffreys Hook in New York, under the George Washington Bridge. These structures show how builders used their skills to work with the land, the weather, and the materials they had nearby. Today, these towers still light the sea routes and attract visitors curious about their design and history. Whether it’s the limestone at Cape Otway in Australia or the bricks at Cape Bojeador in the Philippines, each lighthouse remains a landmark on the coast and a living link to the sea’s traditions.
Great Ocean Road
20.4 km
Loch Ard Gorge
44.9 km
Great Otway National Park
10 km
Great Ocean Walk
14.2 km
Hopetoun Falls
23.2 km
Gibson Steps
40.5 km
Twelve Apostles Marine National Park
41.4 km
Eumeralla Formation
19.4 km
Island Archway
45 km
Triplet Falls
20.7 km
Melba Gully State Park
21.5 km
Maits Rest
11.7 km
Beauchamp Falls
24.6 km
Gibson Beach
40.6 km
Station Beach
4 km
Clifton Beach
39.1 km
Princetown Beach
34.8 km
Rivernook Beach
33.7 km
Shelly Beach
11.9 km
Moonlight Beach
29.2 km
Princetown Twelve Apostles Tavern & Cafe
35.8 km
Johanna Beach
16.4 km
Fishing Fleet Apollo Bay
17.9 km
Johanna Beach
14.1 km
Princetown Store
35.8 km
Princetown
35.8 km
Coast
16.6 km
Kennett River
36.8 kmReviews
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