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Cape Nelson Lighthouse

Location Lighthouse Road PORTLAND WEST, GLENELG SHIRE Level Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/1] Cape Nelson Lighthouse

Statement of Significance

The Cape Nelson Lighthouse Station, the westernmost sentinel of Bass Strait, was first illuminated on 7th July 1884 as a first-order fixed light with dioptic apparatus. J. Thorne constructed the circular plan stone lighthouse tower, keeper's quarters and store from designs prepared by the P.W.D. using locally quarried stone. The contract cost was ~11,552 and the foundation stone to the tower was laid by Major Trangmar, Mayor of Portland, on 13th April 1883. The Cape Nelson Lighthouse and Station buildings, spectacularly situatec 75 metres above sea level on lonely Cape Nelson peninsula, form an important open ocean navigational complex at the treacherous entrance to Bass Strait. Cape Nelson lighthouse is one of a group of Victorian lighthouses (which includes those at Wilson's Promontory, Cape otway and Gabo Island) of extremely fine proportions, examplary construction detail and dramatic situation. (Refer photograph overleaf)