Name and Location

Cape Nelson Lighthouse is located on the southeastern coast of Australia, within the Glenelg Shire, Victoria.

Construction and History

The Cape Nelson Lighthouse was constructed in 1890 to aid navigation along the treacherous coastline. It has played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of ships navigating the Bass Strait, reflecting Australia's commitment to promoting maritime trade and commerce.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a steel tower with a distinctive red-and-white striped design characteristic of many Australian lighthouses. Its sturdy structure was built to withstand the harsh marine environment and strong winds that frequent the area.

Light and Navigation

The Cape Nelson Lighthouse emits a light that has a range of 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers), flashing every 20 seconds in a sequence of white lights. The light's sector starts at 253° and ends at 107°, providing critical guidance to mariners navigating the coastline.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse via a gravel road leading to a small parking area. From there, a short walk takes you to the tower's entrance. Please note that the structure is not open to the public for climbing or exploration, but offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Technical and Operational Details

The Cape Nelson Lighthouse was originally operated manually by keepers until it was automated in 1989, reducing maintenance requirements and increasing efficiency.

Further Information

For further reading, please consult the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's publication (Pub. 111) or Wikipedia entry for Cape Nelson Lighthouse.