VICPort & river
Point Lonsdale
A lighthouse at the Rip that became a holiday town.
1863A light first shown on the point
WHAT STARTED IT
Point Lonsdale is the western headland at the entrance to Port Phillip. The Queenscliff lights further inside the bay were not enough to guide ships past newly found rocks off the point, so a temporary harbour light was first shown here in February 1863.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Land sales began in 1876, but the 1879 railway to Queenscliff did most to bring visitors, and guesthouses followed from 1885. A concrete lighthouse replaced the decayed timber tower in 1902, and defence works were added at the point in both world wars.
TURNING POINTS
1863A temporary fixed red and green light is first exhibited near the flagstaff on 19 February.
1876Land sales begin at Point Lonsdale.
1879The railway from Geelong reaches Queenscliff, spurring holiday development.
1885The Terminus guesthouse opens, the first of several.
1902The new concrete lighthouse is lit on 20 March, replacing the decayed timber tower.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A seaside town of about 3,800 people in 2021, many of its houses holiday homes. The 1902 lighthouse still stands on the point above Buckley’s Cave.