Victoria · Attraction
Cape Otway Lightstation
Australia's oldest surviving lighthouse
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Standing sentinel over the treacherous Shipwreck Coast since 1848, Cape Otway Lightstation is the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. The heritage precinct spans 35 acres and includes keepers' quarters, a telegraph station, and a Second World War radar bunker, all set within Great Otway National Park above dramatic cliffs where the Southern Ocean meets Bass Strait.
Built by convict labour and lit for the first time in 1848, the lighthouse guided generations of ships navigating one of the world's most dangerous stretches of coastline. More than 200 vessels were lost along this coast in the 19th century, and the keepers who lived here in near-total isolation played a vital role in saving countless lives. The precinct's historic buildings have been carefully restored and are packed with artefacts, photographs, and personal stories from the families who called this remote headland home.
The surrounding clifftops and coastal heath are excellent for spotting migrating humpback and southern right whales between June and September. Koalas are often seen dozing in the manna gums along the access road, and the cafe on site serves freshly made food with sweeping ocean views.
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Scenic views
