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Port Melbourne Range Front Lighthouse

F🇦🇺Melbourne, AUOperational

Location & Light Range

About Port Melbourne Range Front Lighthouse

This cylindrical concrete tower, standing 16 meters tall, was constructed in 1924. It is painted white and topped with a red cap, with its light positioned 9 meters above sea level. The lighthouse was situated in the waters of Port Phillip Bay, off Beach Street near Princes Pier, guiding ships towards the docks at the head of the bay. Its operational life concluded before 2011, when a new light was installed on a post in front of the original structure. The tower is now inactive, though the site remains accessible to the public.

Why it matters: Its range alignment system was critical for preventing groundings and ensuring efficient shipping traffic in one of Australia's major ports.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F
Flash Type
Fixed
Raw Code
F.Bu. 30
Focal Height
9m
Geographic Range
10NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1924

Significant events: inactive since at least 2011, new light placed in front of historic lighthouse in 2011

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a red cap at the top
Material
concrete

Structure: slender round concrete tower, painted white with a red cap at the top

Location

City
Melbourne
Country
🇦🇺Australia
Region
Victoria
Sea Region
Port Phillip Bay, guiding ships to the docks at the head of the bay, located in the water off Beach Street near Princes Pier
Latitude
-37.8417°
Longitude
144.9293°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Melbourne(2.2 km)
Admiralty No.
K2338
NGA No.
7895
ARLHS No.
AUS-273
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Port Melbourne Range Front Lighthouse at night?+
Port Melbourne Range Front displays the characteristic F. 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.
Which ports and harbors does Port Melbourne Range Front Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Port Melbourne Range Front Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Melbourne at 0.4 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Port Melbourne (0.5 NM NNE), Prahran (3.4 NM E), Maribyrnong (4.1 NM NNW), Eltham (12.3 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Port Melbourne Range Front Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Port Melbourne Range Front 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 Port Melbourne Range Front Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Port Melbourne Range Front 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.