When you visit the Cape Otway Lightstation, you’ll immediately get a sense of the wild, rugged and isolated life led by an 1800s lightstation keeper and his family. Luckily, you can escape the exhilarating coastal conditions in a warm, cosy cafe.
When people visit the Cape Otway Lightstation, they are astonished at the wild, isolated and dangerous life experienced by the keeper, his staff and families.
The Lightstation, which stands majestically on the tip of Cape Otway on the Great Ocean Road, offers a unique opportunity to see first-hand the lifestyle of a lightstation community.
If you listen carefully in the wild, whipping winds, you might hear the whispers of forefathers from the sea-bedded shipwrecks…and the ghosts of former light house keepers, still keeping a watchful eye on their precious lamp.
Here are 4 ways to appreciate the life of a lighthouse keeper:
The lighthouse’s stairway has counted thousands of footsteps since it was built in 1848. Climb to the top and see the room as it was when the last keeper; Peter Scott, sat at the desk to fill out his log in 1994.
Fast fact: Henry Bayles Ford was the first and longest serving lightstation keeper from 1848-1878.
Nothing brings you closer to nature than stepping out on a lighthouse balcony…especially in the peak of winter when the wind speed can exceed 100km/h. Then, look below to see the waves crashing against the ragged cliff face. You’ll appreciate the responsibility that the lighthouse keeper had when guiding passenger and cargo ships through to Australian waters. Personally, I think the windier it is, the more exhilarating the experience!
Fast facts:
You can walk through the original lightstation precinct and buildings, which was incredibly isolating for the keeper, assistant keeper and their families. Supplies were only sent in about once a year. In 1878, assistant keeper William Evans was forced to live in a temporary shack built from discarded iron sheeting, whilst his quarters were being repaired. And, in 1943, the tiny population woke to find a storm had blown a shed over the cliff! Tough times, indeed!
There’s no doubt that the lightstation community treasured their big open fires and a good cup of tea…and so will you! After your tour of the lightstation, you’ll also welcome the warmth of a log fire warmth in the original Assistant Keepers Quarters.
Today, as our cafe, we serve great coffee and cake, home-made soup and other delicious hearty meals. The views from the cafe are spectacular, and, if you’re lucky enough, you might see a Southern Right or Humpback whale breaching. What a wonderful way to relive Victoria’s maritime history.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
