View source for Split Point Lighthouse

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| name            = Split Point Lighthouse
| location        = [[Aireys Inlet]]<br>[[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]]<br>[[Australia]]
| image           = SplitPoint_0072.jpg
| caption         =
| coordinates     = {{coord|38|28|04.7|S|144|6|16.1|E|type:landmark_region:AU-VIC|display=inline,title}}
| yearlit         = 1891
| yeardeactivated = 
| automated       = 1919
| intensity       = white: 116,000 [[Candela|cd]]<br>red: 23,000 cd
| focalheight     = {{convert|66|m}}
| foundation      = 
| construction    = concrete, rendered with cement tower
| shape           = tapered cylindrical tower
| marking         = white tower and lantern, red roof
| height          = {{convert|34|m}}
| lens            = 1st order Fresnel
| range           = white {{convert|20|nmi}}<br>red {{convert|16|nmi}}
| characteristic  = Fl (4) W 20s.
| fogsignal       = 
| managingagent   = Australian Maritime Safety Authority 
}}

'''Split Point Lighthouse''' is a [[lighthouse]] located in [[Aireys Inlet, Victoria|Aireys Inlet]], a small town on the [[Great Ocean Road]], [[Victoria (Australia)|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, using acetylene gas to provide the illumination. It was upgraded to electric operation in 1972.  The keepers' cottages and stables form an intrinsic part of the lighthouse precinct.

The original [[United Kingdom|British]]-made [[Chance Brothers]] first order [[Fresnel lens]] is still in use.<ref name=rowlett/> However, the factory near [[Birmingham]], England, where the lens was built, was bombed during war-time and the essential [[formula]] for making the unique lens crystal was lost,{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} 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==
[[Image:SplitPointLighthouseRightSideView.jpg|thumb|left|The view from the top of the lighthouse]]
The Split Point lighthouse is located in Federal Street, [[Aireys Inlet]], and helps to guide ships and other craft along the Victorian coast between [[Cape Otway]] and the entrance to [[Port Phillip|Port Philip]] at [[Point Lonsdale]]. The lighthouse is easily accessible from the [[Great Ocean Road]].

Since summer 2005, a commercial operator  has been offering regular tours, during which visitors have the chance to climb the staircase and experience the view from the balcony outside the lantern room, offering a 360-degree view of the stunning coast. Four landings on the staircase provide stops along the way up and make for an accessible climb. Old photographs highlight shipwrecks, the lives of the keepers, and the construction of the Great Ocean Road.

The lighthouse is open every day. Tours can be self-guided or led by trained staff (pre-booked) who tell 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 original lighthouse keepers' quarters, two detached houses adjacent to the tower, are now privately owned residences.<ref name=rowlett>{{cite rowlett|vic}}</ref>
The original stables and work room are now a cafe.

==Popular culture==
In the popular children's television series ''[[Round the Twist]]'', the Twist family live in the lighthouse, however the inside of the lighthouse depicted in the show is a set. It features prominently as the scene of a murder in [[Arthur Upfield]]'s detective novel, ''The New Shoe'', featuring his famous detective [[Bony (fictional character)|Napoleon Bonaparte]]. The lighthouse was also featured in the 2003 film ''[[Darkness Falls (2003 film)|Darkness Falls]]'', and  episodes of [[MasterChef Australia]] and Travel Guides (2022) were filmed there. The lighthouse is regularly filmed for tourism and advertising purposes, and is the location for marriage proposals and weddings. 

It was also featured in the music video for "[[Lydia Wears a Cross]]" by singer [[Julia Jacklin]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:SplitPoint_0102.jpg|Split Point lighthouse, eagle rock
Image:SplitPointLighthouse.jpg|The area leading down to the surrounding cliffs
Image:Split-Point-Lighthouse-2008.jpg|Split Point Lighthouse
Image:Split Point Lighthouse, Vic.JPG|Split Point Lighthouse
Image:SplitPoint_0074.jpg|Explanatory table
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia|Engineering}}
* [[List of lighthouses in Australia]]

==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}
*{{cite loa|VIC|Aireys%20Inlet|The Split Point Lighthouse|url3=Split%20Point%20Lighthouse}}

{{Lighthouses of Victoria}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1891]]
[[Category:1891 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Lighthouses in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Great Ocean Road]]