Lighthouses of Victoria

The Eastern Lighthouse at McCrae

The Eastern Lighthouse at McCrae guides mariners through the South Channel on the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay. McCrae is on the bay side of the Mornington Peninsula.

The lighthouse structure is the tallest on mainland Victoria.

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The Eastern Lighthouse at McCrae
Photograph: Kristie Eggleston

Built in 1874, this steel tower is the tallest on the mainland of Victoria.

Sometimes known as either the Dromana Lighthouse or the Rosebud Lighthouse, the lighthouse is actually located between both areas at McCrae. It is also known as the South Channel Lighthouse.

One of the unique features of this light is that is has which has not only dioptric, but also catadioptric and holophotal lens systems.

When in operation the light gave with the South Channel Pile Light a "lights-in-line" channel-centre guidance to inward-bound ships coming up Port Phillip Bay towards Melbourne.

Note that the lighthouse keepers buildings have since been demolished.

The lighthouse which was the tallest in Victoria, was turned off by the Port of Melbourne Authority 1994.

It was transferred to the McCrae Foreshore Committee via the Department of Natural Resources and Energy in 1996.

The South Channel Lighthouse at Rosebud, Victoria
Photograph: Rose Stereograph Co.

McCrae's Eastern Lighthouse gets long overdue maintenance

Special Thanks to:

• Ed Kavaliunas for Photographs
• Kristie Eggleston for Photograph
• Laurie Sharp for Historical Photographs & Cards

Sources:

• Phil Fowler
• Rose Stereograph Co.
• The Lighthouses of Victoria by Dacre Smyth

Site constructed by: 
Malcolm S Macdonald t/as Lighthouse Computer Training & Development (1997-2001)
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1997-2001 Malcolm S Macdonald and individual contributors as acknowledged.
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