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Cape Schanck Lighthouse

Coordinates: 38°29′34″S 144°53′11″E / 38.492687°S 144.886489°E / -38.492687; 144.886489
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Cape Schanck Lighthouse
Cape Schanck Lighthouse
Map
LocationMornington Peninsula
Victoria
Australia
Coordinates38°29′34″S 144°53′11″E / 38.492687°S 144.886489°E / -38.492687; 144.886489
Tower
Constructionlimestone tower
Height21 metres (69 ft)
Shapeconical tower with balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower, red lantern dome
Power sourcemains electricity Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorAustralian Maritime Safety Authority
Heritagelisted on the Victorian Heritage Register Edit this on Wikidata
Light
First lit1859
Focal height100 metres (330 ft)
Lens1st order Fresnel by Chance Brothers
Intensity1,000,000 cd
Range26 nmi (48 km)
CharacteristicMo (N)
View from Cape Schanck Lighthouse
Cape Schanck aerial panorama. April 2024.

The Cape Schanck Lighthouse was built in 1859 as the second coastal lighthouse in the Australian state of Victoria. It is located on Cape Schanck, at the southernmost tip of the Mornington Peninsula. The 21 metres (69 ft) tall tower was built from limestone. 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.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Australia's iconic lighthouses Archived 31 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Australian Geographic, 26 July 2010
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  • Cape Schanck Lighthouse - official site
  • Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Australia: Victoria". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.