Cape Schanck Lighthouse
INTRODUCTION
Perched atop the cliffs of Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula’s most southern tip, you’ll find the Cape Schanck Lighthouse – both a beacon of maritime history and natural beauty.
With it’s beaming white walls and bright red roof standing sentinel atop of the rugged cliffs, and the waves of Bass Strait crashing below, this spectacular scene sincerely takes my breath away each time I visit. And it will yours too, I promise!
So besides it’s drop dead gorgeous beauty, let me share with you all the wonderful things about Cape Schanck lighthouse.
WHERE IS CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE?
Well, as you’d expect, the lighthouse is in the Mornington Peninsula area known as Cape Schanck.
Access to the Lighthouse is via Cape Schanck Road and you can park in the Cape Schanck Coastal Car Park.
If the car park is full (which is highly possbile on weekends or public holidays), cars will park along the edge of Cape Schanck Road.
From the carpark, follow the signs to reach the lighthouse.
CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE HISTORY
Constructed between 1857 and 1859, Cape Schanck Lighthouse was the second coastal light established in Victoria. Built from limestone and featuring a unique stone staircase, it was equipped with a first-order Fresnel lens crafted by Chance Brothers in 1915—a lens that remains in operation today!
Remarkably, the lighthouse has been in continuous operation since its inception, making it one of Australia’s most original and enduring navigational aids.
The lighthouse is 21 metres tall with the light of the lighthouse being at 100 metres above sea level.
CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE TOURS
Considering the lighthouse is still operational, people often wonder if they can go into the Cape Schanck Lighthouse.
And lucky for us, we can!
Although, you can only enter the lighthouse via a guided tour.
The Cape Schanck Lighthouse guided tours take you up the lighthouse’s sandstone steps and culminate in the lamp room, which as already mentioned, still functions with its original lens.
From the lighthouse balcony, you are treated to spectacular panoramic views of the Southern Peninsula and Bass Starit.
How to Book your Cape Schanck Lighthouse Tour
You can purchase tickets for the lighthouse tour on-site at the Kiosk Red Brick House. Fun Fact, this little house, way back when, used to be the lighthouse keeper’s quarters!
A word to the wise, tour groups are kept to a maximum of 10 people, so to avoid missing out you can book online via this TryBooking link.
Tours are available on weekends, public holidays and on extra days in the school holidays. Tours leave upon the hour from 11am to 4pm and run for 45 minutes.
Keep your eye out for a lady dressed in old fashioned clothing ringing a bell to signal the commencement of each tour!
How much does the Cape Schanck Lighthouse Tour cost?
- Adults (15+) – $16
- Children (3-14) – $9
- Family (2 adults and 2 children) – $45
- Children under 3 – Free
THE LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM
Adjacent to the lighthouse, is the museum. The museum is the former assistant lighthouse keeper’s quarters.
The museum is only open on a very few selected dates and is accessible at either 12.15pm or 2.15pm for a small price.
Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the lighthouse’s history, view historical photographs, and learn about the lives of the lighthouse keepers.
The museum also hosts history talks, displays, and events, providing a comprehensive understanding of the site’s significance .
Both the lighthouse tours and the Cape Schanck Lighthouse Museum are operated by The Lady of History. For more information, contact Janice Haynes, the Lady of History herself, on her Facebook page.
Alternatively head to the Cape Schanck Lighthouse Facebook Page.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO AT CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE?
If you don’t want to pay for a lighthouse tour, then there is still plenty to do here!
Firstly, you can walk around the base of the lighthouse. There is actually a lookout at the bottom of the lighthouse with views just as grand as from the top of the lighthouse!
The Cape Schanck Lighthouse area also boasts a large wide lawn area which is perfect for throwing down a picnic rug and/or for letting the kids run wild!
Or, if you feel like getting the heart rate up, then you have two hiking/walking options around the Cape Schanck Lighthouse Reserve Area:
1. Cape Schanck Circuit Track to Pulpit Rock
Also known as the The Cape Schanck Lighthouse Walk, the Cape Schanck Boardwalk or, I sometimes call it the Pulpit Rock walk, as the track ends at this prominent landmark.
This 1.8km loop track is HIGHLY recommended. You’ll descend a series of stairs and boardwalks along a narrow piece of rocky coastal terrain with what I believe, to be THE BEST scenery on the entire Mornington Peninsula!
Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to exit the boardwalk and explore Black Rock Beach.
The boardwalk ends at Pulpit Rock, a spectacular volcanic landmark iconic to the Mornington Peninsula. You and the kids (if you have them) will love climbing the rocks here and exploring the rock pools found at the base of Pulpit Rock.
Make sure you pack your camera as there are about ten million amazing photo opportunities to be had on this walk!
2. Bushrangers Bay Walking Track
For those wanting to get their heart rate up, then follow the signs and complete the 5.4km roundtrip hike to Bushrangers Bay and back.
The trail is part of the Two Bays Walking Track and meanders through coastal scrub and swamp vegetation, leading hikers to the secluded Bushrangers Bay where you can explore the spectacular rock pools (if timed correctly with low tide) of which I’ve written about in more detail here.
The path of the Bushrangers Bay Waking Track features sandy, unsealed narrow sections with steep stairs in certain areas, making it essential for hikers to wear appropriate footwear.
I’d consider the walk moderate in terms of effort, and it should take you around 2hrs if you walk directly there and back without stopping.
CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE AMENITIES
- TOILETS – there are public toilets in the Cape Schanck Coastal Car Park
- FOOD AND DRINK – light refreshments are available at the kiosk which is only open weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Make sure to bring your own food and drink just in case!
- ACCESSABILITY – I would say that the only area which is wheelchair friendly would be the area at the base of the lighthouse near the lawn area. The walking paths are most certainly not wheelchair friendly.
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE FOR CHILDREN?
Yes!
Cape Schanck Lighthouse is a brilliant place to bring the kids. Not only is exploring the lighthouse a tonne of fun for them, but the Cape Schanck Circuit Track and boardwalk is great for kids of all ages.
I have brought my daughter to this location many times and she has walked the Cape Schanck Circuit Track since the age of three!
CAPE SCHANCK ACCOMMODATION
Below I have listed three accommodation options to suit a variety of budgets and group sizes. If you scroll past these three options, I have also included a map with dozens of other accommodations for you to explore!
(Please note I am partnered with a number of accommodation booking sites and hence may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, should you book through these links. If you do book though my links, a very heartfelt thank you ☺️)
My Top Three Accommodation Picks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
RACV Cape Schanck Resort
✅ Spa Facilities, sauna, indoor pool, tennis court
✅ Modern restaurant & breakfast included
✅ Ocean view rooms and stunning gardens
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TJ’S TREEHOUSE
✅ Spacious villa with 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms
✅ Balcony with Spectacular Ocean Views
✅ Fully equipped kitchen and fireplace
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BASS VISTA
✅ 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, kitchen & fireplace
✅ Deck with 180 degree views of Bass Strait & Gunnamatta Beach
✅ Pet Friendly!
More Cape Schanck Accommodation Options
Zoom in and out on the map below to see accommodation listings. You can click and hold on the map to move it up/down, left/right. Click on a price tag to explore the accommodation in more detail and make a potential booking.
WOULD I RECOMMEND CAPE SCHANCK LIGHTHOUSE?
I would one hundred percent, multiplied by fifty, recommend Cape Schanck Lighthouse!
There is something here for everyone including the history buffs, the hikers, the lovers of natural beauty and also the kids!
As I said earlier, I have visited the Cape Schanck Lighthouse many times and will continue to do so. My goal is to get here at sunset as they are said to be spectacular here.
So, no matter your background or age, Cape Schanck Lighthouse is most certainly worth visiting for a very memorable day out.
