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Cape Otway Lighthouse

Fl (3) White/Red 18s🇦🇺Shire of Colac Otway, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cape Otway Lighthouse

The Cape Otway lighthouse, built in 1848 from stone, stands 20 meters tall and emits three white flashes every 18 seconds. Its focal height reaches 73 meters, providing a geographic range of 21.8 nautical miles. This cylindrical, white-painted sandstone tower is the second oldest lighthouse on the Australian mainland. The station includes a keeper's house dating to 1857, an assistant keeper's house from 1858, and a telegraph station built in 1859. Following an earthquake in October 2023, the lighthouse closed for decontamination and safety testing, reopening in January 2025.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the western entrance to Bass Strait, a key shipping route historically known as the 'Eye of the Needle,' warning mariners of the narrow passage between Cape Otway and King Island.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White/Red 18s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
18s
Raw Code
Fl(3) W 18s
Focal Height
73m
Geographic Range
21.8NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1848

Significant events: 150th anniversary celebrated August 1998, closed for decontamination and safety testing after October 2023 earthquake, reopened January 2025

Visiting

Open to public
Yes

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
20m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
stone

Structure: round sandstone tower, painted white

Location

City
Shire of Colac Otway
Country
🇦🇺Australia
Region
Victoria
Sea Region
Cape Otway, about 20 km southwest of Apollo Bay, marking the western entrance to Bass Strait, known as the Eye of the Needle
Latitude
-38.8566°
Longitude
143.5117°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Geelong(62.9 km)
Admiralty No.
K2172
NGA No.
8012
ARLHS No.
AUS-043
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape Otway Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Otway displays the characteristic Fl (3) White/Red 18s — 3 white/red flashes every 18 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white/red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Is Cape Otway Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape Otway Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Cape Otway Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Otway Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.