Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cape Otway
Cape Otway is the second most southerly point of mainland Australia (after Wilsons
Promontory) and one of the wettest parts of the state. This coastline is particularly beauti-
ful, rugged and historically treacherous for passing ships. The turn-off for Lighthouse Rd,
which leads 12km down to the lighthouse, is 21km from Apollo Bay.
THE SHIPWRECK COAST
In the era of sailing ships, Victoria's beautiful and rugged southwest coastline was one of the most treacherous on
earth. Between the 1830s and 1930s, more than 200 ships were torn asunder along the so-called
Shipwreck
Coast
between Cape Otway and Port Fairy. From the early 1850s to late 1880s, Victoria's gold rush and subse-
quent economic boom brought countless ships of prospectors and hopefuls from Europe, North America and Ch-
ina. After spending months at sea, many vessels (and lives) were lost on the final 'home straight'. The lighthouses
along this coast - at Aireys Inlet, Cape Otway, Port Fairy and Warrnambool - are still operating.
You'll find shipwreck museums, memorial plaques and anchors that tell the story of wrecks along this coast.
The most famous is that of the iron-hulled clipper
Loch Ard
, which foundered off Mutton Bird Island (near Port
Campbell) at 4am on the final night of its long voyage from England in 1878. Of 37 crew and 19 passengers on
board, only two survived. Eva Carmichael, a nonswimmer, clung to wreckage and was washed into a gorge (since
renamed Loch Ard Gorge), where apprentice officer Tom Pearce rescued her. Eva and Tom were both 19 years
old, leading to speculation in the press about a romance, but nothing actually happened - they never saw each
other again and Eva soon returned to Ireland (this time, perhaps not surprisingly, via steamship).
Sights & Activities
Cape Otway Lightstation
( 03-5237 9240;
www.lightstation.com
; Lighthouse Rd; adult/child/family $18.50/7.50/46.50; 9am-5pm)
Cape
Otway lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia and was built
in 1848 by more than 40 stonemasons without mortar or cement. The
Telegraph Station
has
fascinating displays on the 250km undersea telegraph cable link with Tasmania laid in
1859. It's a sprawling complex with plenty to see, from Aboriginal cultural sites to WWII
bunkers.
LIGHTHOUSE
Sleeping
Blanket Bay
CAMPGROUND
$
