Dec 14, 2024 | News
The spectacular climb at the Cape Otway Lightstation is set to re-open on Monday 16th December 2024 whilst ongoing essential works continue across the site.
The lighthouse climb was closed after a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck the Otway Ranges on Sunday 22 October 2023, causing mercury to spill from the lighthouse lens.
Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks in collaboration with Parks Victoria and specialist contractors, have completed an extensive schedule of decontamination and testing works to ensure that the lighthouse can safely be accessed and enjoyed by visitors once again.
During this time there was no access to the inside of the Lighthouse, however the wider Lightstation precinct and other heritage buildings were unaffected and remained open following the earthquake with a discounted entry fee.
Essential conservation works to protect and conserve the significant heritage site will continue over the coming years and whilst ongoing access will be maintained to the site there may be some impacts on services.
In preparation for a busy summer season, works to improve the public toilets in our car park will take place this week, with temporary toilets provided for the duration of works. The café will also be closed at times over the coming fortnight.
As the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia and widely regarded as one of the nation’s most significant, the Cape Otway Lightstation—built in 1848 and famously known as the ‘Beacon of Hope’—remains a premier attraction along the Great Ocean Road.
Sep 6, 2022 | News
We are delighted to announce that we are reopening our gates and welcoming back visitors from Friday the 16th of September 2022!
From July 1st 2022, The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority finalised a lease agreement to operate the iconic Cape Otway Lightstation. We have been working hard behind the scenes and after a winter closure we are excited to reopen the Cape Otway Lightstation Heritage Precinct once again to the general public.
Tickets will be available to purchase on arrival with no pre-booking required.
Spring Operating Hours :
Friday- Tuesday 10am-5pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The Lightkeeper’s Cafe will be open and serving a selection of Tea & Coffee, sweet treats and of course, our famous Lightkeeper’s Homemade Scones with jam & cream! We will not be offering a lunch menu this season due staffing limitations.
Stay overnight in our beautifully renovated Heritage Accommodation in the centre of our Heritage Precinct. Bookings are available direct through our website.
Please check our website for further information on tickets, operating hours and to plan your visit!
The Lightstation, built in 1848 and situated on land currently managed by Parks Victoria as part of the Great Otway National Park, is Australia’s oldest working lighthouse and has long been a popular Great Ocean Road destination.
The new lease agreement, which will see the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority run the precinct from 1 July, will secure local jobs and ensure the Lightstation continues to operate as a significant natural, cultural and visitor destination.
Both organisations paid tribute to the hard work of past leaseholders Tourism Great Ocean Road, who held the lease since the 1990s and played a significant role in making the Lightstation a world-class tourist attraction.
With the new lease agreement now finalised, work continues on transferring the management of the Great Otway Lightstation Precinct from Parks Victoria to the Authority.
The precinct is one of 931 parcels of land to be transferred to the Authority over the next three years – a fundamental part of our role to protect and manage the Great Ocean Road coast and parks. Click here for full media release.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Cape this Spring!
The Team at Cape Otway Lightstation
Jun 9, 2022 | News
On June 30th 2022 Tourism Great Ocean Road comes to the end of our lease and 25 years as custodians of Cape Otway Lightstation.
From July 1st 2022 the lease of Cape Otway Lightstation will be taken over by The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority.
Tourism Great Ocean Road and the Bowker family would like to thank everyone who has joined us on this journey and who has contributed over the past 25 years to help us rescue this derelict heritage site and transform it into the leading visitor attraction on the Great Ocean Road and the outstanding experience it is today. We look forward to watching this significant site grow and prosper as we hand over to the next custodians.
In preparation for the transition to the new leaseholders we will be closing the Lightstation to day visitors from the 15th – 30th of June with no walk up access available to the Lighthouse or heritage precinct. Our accommodation bookings for this period are unaffected with access provided to the Lighthouse for existing bookings. The Lightkeepers Café will also be closed from the 15th June. We are accepting accommodation bookings on behalf of the incoming leaseholders from August 2022 onward and these can be booked via our website. We thank everyone for their understanding and patience during this time.
Information on reopening and operations beyond June 30th 2022 will be announced by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority in the coming weeks.
Shannon McCartney
Manager
Cape Otway Lightstation
Jun 9, 2022 | News
This week at the Lighthouse we came together to celebrate 25 years of Tourism Great Ocean Road as custodians of Cape Otway Lightstation.
Along with the Bowker family, staff past and present were joined by some of the wonderful people who, over the years, have helped us make Cape Otway Lightstation the outstanding visitor attraction that it is today. We shared heartfelt gratitude and stories of our time at the Lighthouse and enjoyed a night filled with speeches and both tears and laughter!
The original lantern was lit for the evening for our last time by Alex Parry and former Cape Otway Lighthouse Keeper Ted Peers. The heritage lantern was decommissioned in 1994 and is only lit on special occasions with permission from AMSA.
Assembled guests enjoyed music and food as they reminisced around the fire.
The incredible fireworks display at the end of the evening was a fitting tribute to the hard work and success of the past 25 years.
Our current lease term will end in June 2022 and the lease will be taken over by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority on the 1st of July. We wish them all the best of luck in the future.
