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South Channel Pile Light

Location app. 2 miles north of Tootgarook, TOOTGAROOK VIC 3941 - Property No B4357 File Number B4357 Level State

[1/1] B4357 South Channel Pile Light

Statement of Significance

The South Channel Pile Light was completed in 1874 to provide a navigation lead light for shipping using this narrow area of deep water in Port Phillip Bay.
It consists of an octagonal two-storied timber frame superstructure supported on a sub-structure of wooden screw piles. The interior piles, specified origianlly as Jarrah, but eventually constructed in red gum, are almost certainly original. However, the perimeter piles were replaced in approximately 1968.
The light itself appears as a central dome lantern over a single storey verandahed living quarters.
Internally the building has lost the paintings of sailing ships that were done during the period when the light was manned until after the Great War.
The elegant cast-iron brackets and light supports are intact, although most of the spiral staircase is now missing.
The light forms a unique record of nineteenth century maritime technology, particularly suited to the unusual characteristics of Port Phillip as a large shallow water bay and is of significance as it is the only survivor of its type in Australia.
Classified: 17/03/1983
File Note: In the late 1990's, the light structure was cut off from its piles, the top restored in Melbourne and the whole structure re-erected on new piles in its present location 2 miles off Tootgarook.