Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons contributors. Used under Creative Commons licence.
About South Channel Pile Light
The South Channel Pile Light is a single-storey octagonal lighthouse in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia.
It was built between 1872 and 1874 to guide ships through the narrow South Channel and was occupied by lighthouse keepers until 1925. The light ceased operation in 1985, having operated as a navigational beacon for 111 years, and fell into an era of neglect and vandalism. The structure was restored by Parks Victoria in 1998 in accordance with Heritage Victoria guidelines and relocated three kilometres off the coast of Rye Beach.
The site is listed in the Victorian Heritage Register.
Location
South Channel Pile Light is located in Victoria at approximately -38.305°, 144.75666667°. A map pin at these coordinates will take you to the approximate lighthouse site — note that some historic lights are on active marine reserves, islands or private land, and visiting may require a boat or permit.
Visiting South Channel Pile Light
Access to Australian lighthouses varies widely. Some are on publicly accessible headlands with car parks and interpretive signage; others are on remote islands that require chartered boats. Most operational lights managed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) are not open to the public interior, but the grounds and keepers' cottages at heritage-listed stations are often open during daylight hours.
If you're planning a visit, check with the relevant state parks service or heritage body for current conditions, access restrictions and opening times. Many of Australia's finest lighthouses are within national parks, and fees may apply.
Further reading
Read more on Wikipedia → — used under CC BY-SA 4.0. This article includes contributions from the Wikipedia community.