Land Ho! Where to Stay In A Lighthouse in Victoria
Lighthouses are full of history, drama, and mystery, and a super-fun place to visit with the family in the best of times - but when they go one step further and offer an unusual accommodation experience, then it's pretty hard to say no!
Plenty of lighthouses in Victoria have related outbuildings and accommodations that the light station workers of old would have lived in, newly refurbished and perfect for a stay in something just a little different.
Plus it's pretty hard to beat the incredible views from the top of a lighthouse!
Cape Otway Lightstation
Fancy a night or two in the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia? Cape Otway Lightstation on the Great Ocean Road was built in 1848 and became known as the "Beacon of Hope". With views from 90 metres above the pristine ocean of Bass Strait, you can look out onto the fierce shipwreck coast and wonder what mysteries lie beneath.
Choose between the Lightkeeper’s Cottage, Lighthouse Lodge and Lightstation Studio, each boasting different configurations depending on the size of your party.
The two-bedroom Lightkeeper’s Cottage is a homely heritage property built in 1857 and gives guests an insight into the domestic life of the Lightstation’s first keepers. Views of the lighthouse and ocean are unsurpassed from this spacious, stately house, crafted from stone quarried by hand from the nearby Parker River.
Lighthouse Lodge is also fully self-contained and features an open plan lounge and kitchen, and the Lightstation Studio, within a section of the original 1859 Lightkeeper’s Quarters, was once the Assistant Lightkeepers and offers great charm and comfort.
Where: Otway Lighthouse Rd, Cape Otway Victoria
Cape Nelson Lighthouse offers cottage accommodation where the Head Lighthouse Keeper and his assistants once lived! The five fully self-contained cottages have been renovated and converted into luxurious units with two bedrooms and queen-size beds, extensively equipped kitchens and a dining area, a lounge room with TV, DVD and an open fireplace, and decadent bathrooms.
Settle in for a cosy stay, or make the most of the location with a visit to Isabella's Cafe, which serves tea, coffee, cakes and gourmet lunches daily. Tours of the lighthouse run daily at 11am and 2pm, or take a walk by the wild sea and drink in that salty air. In winter you might even spot Humpback whales, and Blue whales in summer.
Where: Cape Nelson Lighthouse Road, Portland West
Wilsons Promontory Lightstation is a popular spot perched on the gorgeous peninsula overlooking the wild waters of Bass Strait. A trip here is not for the faint-hearted! The secluded area can only be reached by foot via the Southern Prom Circuit Hikes. Walkers can choose between the inland route via Telegraph Saddle car park (19.1km one way) or the coastal route from Tidal River via Oberon Bay (23.8km one way)
Once there, you can get a taste of the lighthouse keeper lifestyle by staying in the Lightstation Banks Cottage. Known as Cottage 4, it is close to the lighthouse with outstanding views from the open plan living room. There's a queen bed, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom.
There is also shared accommodation in the cottages surrounding the lighthouse, which can be booked per bed, so you may find yourself making new friends! They have a shared lounge, dining and bathroom facilities, plus a fully equipped kitchen.
Where: South East Point, Wilsons Promontory, Victoria
Point Hicks Lighthouse
The remote and beautiful Croajingolong National Park is your home away from home when staying at the historic Point Hicks Lighthouse - the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. In fact, it's so untouched that it looks much the same today as it did when Captain Cook first laid eyes on it in 1770.
Cosy, self-contained cottages with 180-degree ocean views and wood fires in pristine natural surroundings are yours, as are plenty of leisure activities: think walks, cycling, surfing, snorkelling, canoeing, fishing or simply reading a book on the balcony with the Bass Strait on your doorstep.
Accommodation includes two Lighthouse Keeper cottages, made of Oregon and Baltic pine, which sleep up to eight each. Each cottage features a full kitchen, games, small libraries, laundry facilities and car parking.
Where: Lighthouse Track, Tamboon, Victoria
Please note: Accommodation at Point Hicks Lighthouse is closed until further notice due to fire impact in the area.
Gabo Island Lighthouse
For a proper getaway (we mean you can only get there by chartered boat and you need to take enough food supplies and personal medication in case of unpleasant weather contingencies) Gabo Island Lighthouse certainly delivers! Talk about a unique accommodation experience.
The Assistant Light Keeper’s residence on the island is up for grabs, featuring three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, laundry and bathroom with all linen provided. Bookings are required for a minimum of two nights and it caters for up to eight people. All provisions must be taken to the island, although the cottage is fairly well-equipped.
The transport to the island situation is certainly a level above just rocking up in your car but totally adds to the experience. Tours of the lighthouse are also included in your accommodation price.
Where: Gabo Island is approximately 14 km from Mallacoota at the eastern tip of Victoria, near the NSW border. Access is via chartered boat and is largely weather dependant. Due to airstrip limitations only authorised aircraft are permitted to land.
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