Split Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in Aireys Inlet, a small town on the Great
Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia.
== History == Originally called Eagles Nest Point, the lighthouse
was constructed in 1891.
For 27 years, three lighthouse keepers worked at this remote location, ensuring the light
was operating well and communicating with ships via a number of code systems.
The lighthouse still has its original construction with a wonderful staircase and timber fittings.
The lantern still operates having had more than three different light sources over its
history.
The tower was converted to automatic operation in 1919.
The keepers' cottages and stables form an intrinsic part of the lighthouse precinct.
The original British-made first order Fresnel lens is still in use.
However, the factory in Birmingham, where the lens was built, was bombed during war-time
and the essential formula for making the unique lens crystal were lost, should a replacement
ever be needed.
The fixed-light lantern still lights the way for thousands of vessels using a combination
of lighting colors.
Under standard Australian lighthouse convention, red filters would usually be placed to the
extreme left and right of the beam (indicating "danger zones" for a passing ship, in-line
with the jagged coastline).
For reasons unknown, the Split Point Lighthouse operated for a number of years under the opposite
system; although this has now been corrected.
The Split Point lighthouse is 34 metres tall and stands 66 metres above sea level.
== Today ==
The stunning Split Point lighthouse is located at Aireys Inlet and helps to guide ships and
other craft along the Shipwreck Coast.
The lighthouse is easily accessible from the Great Ocean Road.
Since summer 2005, the Split Point Lighthouse has been offering regular 30 minute guided
tours, during which visitors have the chance to climb the original staircase and experience
the view from the balcony just below the lantern room.
Four landings provide stops along the way up and make for an accessible climb.
The wonderful old photographs highlight the lives of the keepers, shipwrecks and the construction
of the Great Ocean Road.
Tours are led by trained staff who tell great stories of the lighthouse keepers and early
shipwrecks, explain the operation of the light and communication systems, and introduce thousands
of Round the Twist fans to the filming operations at this lighthouse.
The lighthouse is open every day from 11-3 with longer hours in January and on public
holiday weekends.
Views extend to the horizon and offer a 360 degree view of this stunning coast.
The original lighthouse keepers' quarters, two detached houses adjacent to the tower,
are now privately owned residences.
The original stables and work room are now a cafe.
== Popular culture == The popular children's television series Round
the Twist used the area around the Split Point Lighthouse for many external scenes.
The lighthouse features prominently as the scene of a murder in Arthur Upfield's detective
novel, The New Shoe featuring his famous detective Napoleon Bonaparte.
The lighthouse was also featured in the filming of the 2003 film Darkness Falls.
Additionally, a Masterchef episode was filmed here.
The lighthouse is regularly filmed for tourism and advertising shoots and is the location
for marriage proposals and weddings.
== Gallery ==
== See also ==
List of lighthouses and lightvessels in Australia