Cape Otway 

Rugged, isolated Cape Otway has witnessed many cruel twists of fate where joyous expectation has turned into despair. This was the case far too many times during the first half of the 19th century when passenger and cargo ships making the long sea journey from England to the fledgling colony in Australia came to grief in the 'final strait' of the trip.

The 'strait' is Bass Strait, one of the world's most treacherous and unpredictable stretches of water. Cape Otway and Cape Wickham on King Island mark the narrow and dangerous western entrance - only 50 nautical miles wide - to the strait. Mariners referred to it as the 'Eye of the Needle' and threading it was risky business. Captains would hug the Victorian coast to prevent being smashed against King Island in bad weather whipped up by the 'roaring forties', increasing the chance of a wreck, but cutting 1200km off a journey to Port Jackson (Sydney).

That danger was sheeted home when a series of disasters left a death toll of more than 600, forcing the colonial government to move on building lighthouses at Cape Otway and Cape Wickham. The Cape Otway lighthouse was to come first. The light began shining its warning to seafarers on August 29, 1848, offering hope to those making the arduous journey to a new life.

Whale oil and then kerosene were initially used to fuel the lamps, with diesel generators and mains electricity taking over in more modern times.

After claiming the title of the Australian mainland’s longest continuously operating light, it was decommissioned in 1994, replaced by a solar-powered light in front of the old tower.

Today, the lightstation - including the tower and the keeper’s cottages - is a tourist attraction where you can get a feel of those early days and the hardships that were experienced. A fee is charged to enter the station. Accommodation is also available.

Things to do

• Climb to the top of the tower and step out onto the balcony, 110m above the swirling sea
• Admire the tower from below and the Keeper's Cottage
• Wonder at the spectacular view out to sea and up the coastline
• Explore the rugged scenery surrounding the lighthouse