Bulletin - Vol 8 No. 6 November/December 2005

Split Point Lighthouse official opening

by Kristie Eggleston, LoA Inc Webmaster

A halo in the clouds surrounds the top of the Split Point Lighthouse

The Split Point Lighthouse at Aireys Inlet on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, also known as the "White Lady", was built in 1891. The concrete tower is still an active lighthouse, with a magnificent Chance Brothers first order lens. The lighthouse was fully automated in 1919, and the reserve surrounding the tower and its accompanying keepers' quarters was subdivided in 1937.

Plans to make the tower open to the public over the years have been hindered by many factors, and LoA Inc has been following the various efforts to open the tower for some time (see links below). Primarily, the problems facing the managers of the lighthouse are parking, public safety, signage, and most importantly, protection of the lighthouse apparatus. The lighthouse is surrounded by private residences on an unsealed road, with limited space for parking. It is also only a short distance away from Victoria's famed Great Ocean Road, and only around 2½ hours from Melbourne, with a huge potential for significant numbers of visitors. Previous open days have attracted up to 2000 people wanting to climb the tower.

The Split Point Lighthouse and Headkeeper's cottage Photograph: Kristie Eggleston

However, after many years of planning and hard work by the various organisations involved, and expenditure of money awarded as grants on preparing the lighthouse for visitors, the lighthouse has finally opened its doors to the public.

In early 2005, the local Surf Coast Shire put out to tender the opportunity to conduct tours of the lighthouse, with an Anglesea-based education and environmental services company, Eco-Logic, eventually winning the tender. Eco-Logic, who also offer rock pool rambles, ocean snorkelling, and guided environmental talks and walks, with a particular emphasis for children, are now able to offer personal tours by appointment and scheduled weekend tours of the Split Point tower.

The official opening of the lighthouse was held on Wednesday 2 November 2005, and Lighthouses of Australia Inc was extended an invitation by Simon Loone, Tourism Co-ordinator for the Surf Coast Shire. My sister Jen and I attended as the LoA Inc representatives and eager members of the public, having been very familiar and fond of the Split Point tower, a welcome sight along the coast seen on family holidays along the Great Ocean Road.

The day was stiflingly hot with temperatures in the mid-30s (degrees Celsius). Huge storm clouds were building, and the humidity hung in the air like a woollen blanket. Jen and I left Melbourne at around midday, fully prepared with sunscreen, hats and swimsuits, ready to hit the water as soon as the official duties were done with. We arrived early, with the ceremony due to start at 3.30pm, so we watched from a distance as the staff from the Surf Coast Shire set-up the entrance to the tower with banners and an official ribbon to be cut by the Minister for Tourism, The Hon. John Pandazopoulos. Assorted distinguished guests, representatives from the local media and fascinated onlookers watched whilst final preparations were made, then the Minister arrived, and the speeches began.

Official opening ceremony Simon Loone, Surf Coast Tourism Co-ordinator welcomes the assembled throng, whilst the Minister for Tourism, The Hon. John Pandazopoulos and The Hon. Elaine Carbines, Minister for Geelong Province look on

The ribbon is cut, and the lighthouse is officially open to the public for tours

Official photos are taken by the local newspapers L to R: Jamie McKenzie (Eco-Logic), Pat Howell (Eco-Logic & former keeper), Cr Keith Grossman (Mayor), Daniel Saw (Eco-Logic), Dr Patricia Edgar (Producer "Round the Twist") & The Hon. John Pandazopoulos

The lighthouse was then officially opened, with The Hon. John Pandazopoulos, The Hon. Elaine Carbines MLC (Member for Geelong Province) and Cr Keith Grossman (Mayor, Surf Coast Shire) doing the honours with the ribbon cutting. Photographers from the local newspapers The Independent and the Geelong Advertiser took photos, and then Daniel Saw and Jamie McKenzie of Eco-Logic conducted the first tour for the Ministers, the Mayor, Surf Coast Shire Councillors and Dr Patricia Edgar, the producer of the "Round the Twist" television series for children which featured the Aireys Inlet lighthouse.

The winding staircase with carefully painted iron railings on the underside of the stairs	The interior door halfway up the tower in which the auxiliary light used to be housed
Gold painted fretwork at the top of the central column	The Chance Brothers plate at the base of the light mechanism

Jen and I were the last to climb the tower, which we did with former Victorian lighthouse keeper, Pat Howell, who is also one of the tour guides from Eco-Logic. As we wound our way to the top, we could see rain falling over the sea just offshore, whilst the sun still beat down on us on the lighthouse balcony. The views from the tower were magnificent, with Painkalac Creek winding its way slowly to meet the sea to one side of the lighthouse, and the rugged cliffs of Eagle Rock just below the lighthouse on the other side. As the lighthouse is still an active aid to navigation, access near the lens was not possible, but we were still able admire the Chance Brothers machinery, and the delicately painted central column and stairs inside the tower. Pat showed us the lighthouse statue he was awarded at the end of his tenure as a keeper by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and we talked about mutual lighthouse acquaintances, friends and colleagues for some time.

Views over the assistant keeper's cottages, the old stables, and the township of Aireys Inlet	Painkalac Creek winds through the town and meets the sea near the lighthouse
Looking towards Eastern View beach from the balcony	Pat Howell, who was a keeper on Gabo Island and other Victorian lights, poses on the balcony.  Note the sign on the side of the tower warning against anyone climbing any higher - the Split Point Lighthouse hosts mobile phone transmitters and equipment

Regretfully we descended the tower, and made our way back in the heat to the lighthouse stables, which have been run as a kiosk and souvenir shop for many years. Afternoon tea had been provided by the Shire Council, so we gratefully accepted a cold drink, and shared the last warm scone leftover from the Devonshire tea. We finished our memorable lighthouse day with a long swim at Moggs Creek, where the beach was beckoning with distant views of the "White Lady".

The interior of the Split Point first order Chance Brothers lens Photograph: Surf Coast Tourism

The twin lampchanger Photograph: Surf Coast Tourism

Reflections of the beach in the centre dioptric belt of the lens Photograph: Surf Coast Tourism

Split Point Lighthouse tours

Tours of the Split Point Lighthouse are offered by Eco-Logic, a locally-based education & environmental services company. The 45 minute tour includes a climb of the 33 metre lighthouse, and provides visitors with 360 degree coastal views and an insight into the light's fascinating history. Open daily 9am - 5pm (bookings essential) Scheduled weekend tours Personal tours by appointment (min. 4 people) Adult $12.00, Concession $10.00, Child $9.00, Family $32.00 Tour bookings - phone 0400 223 812, (03) 5263 1133 or visit www.ecologic.net.au

The history of the Split Point Lighthouse opening

• Split Point Lighthouse historical plaques and planned opening - September 2005
• Changes at the White Lady - January 2005
• Airey's Inlet Lighthouse Keepers cottages for sale - February 2004
• Split Point Opening - date still uncertain - December 2000
• Further delays in opening Split Point Lighthouse to public - October 2000
• Airey's Inlet visitors reach a moment of enlightenment - 10 January 1998
• Throwing light on a gem - 31 December 1997
• Airey's Inlet Lighthouse to be opened to public - 21 October 1997

All photographs by Jennifer Eggleston unless otherwise attributed. Thanks to Simon Loone, Surf Coast Tourism for his invitation to the official opening and for generously providing the spectacular photographs of the interior of the lens.

Email Kristie Eggleston	Previous < Contents > Next