Cape Schanck Lighthouse

Cape Schanck Lighthouse

Cape Schanck Lighthouse
Location	Mornington Peninsula Victoria Australia
Coordinates	38.492687°S 144.886489°E / -38.492687; 144.886489
Tower
Construction	limestone tower
Height	21 metres (69 ft)
Shape	conical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	white tower, red lantern dome
Power source	mains electricity
Operator	Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Heritage	listed on the Victorian Heritage Register
Light
First lit	1859
Focal height	100 metres (330 ft)
Light source	mains power
Intensity	1,000,000 cd
Range	26 nmi (48 km)
Characteristic	Mo (N)

The Cape Schanck Lighthouse was built in 1859 as the second coastal lighthouse in the Australian state of Victoria. It is located on the southernmost tip of the Mornington Peninsula. The tower was built from limestone, it is 21 metres (69 ft) tall. The light's focal plane is situated 100 metres (330 ft) above sea level, the light characteristic is the Morse Code letter "N", a long signal of 10.8 seconds followed by a flash. Depending on the bearing of the light, the colours are either white (south to west sector) or red (east sector). Due to its powerful lantern of one million candela and a first order Fresnel lens, which was installed in 1915, the light has a range of 26 nmi (48 km).

The lighthouse was not only one of the first such buildings in Victoria, it was moreover Australia's first lighthouse tower with stone stairs. During the 1970s and 1980s the facility was restored and has since become an attraction for tourists. Today there is a museum in the old assistants' quarters. Accommodation is available in the old residences of the lighthouse keeper.

See also

• List of lighthouses and lightvessels in Australia

External links

• Cape Schanck Lighthouse - official site
• Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Victoria". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.