The twin lighthouses of Flagstaff Hill stand overlooking Lady Bay, part of Victoria’s notorious Shipwreck Coast which claimed hundreds of vessels during the 19th century. These leading lights, perched on Warrnambool’s Flagstaff Hill represent a unique chapter in Australian maritime heritage as these lighthouses that began life on a remote island were painstakingly relocated stone by stone to their current elevated position.

The story of these lighthouses begins on Middle Island, where the original Lady Bay Lighthouse Complex was constructed in 1858-59 from basalt quarried on the Salt Water (Maribyrnong) River in Melbourne. The upper tower, chartroom, cottage and privy were originally located on Middle Island, and the lower light was formerly located on a timber tower on the beach. The isolated Middle Island location, while providing excellent visibility across the Southern Ocean proved impractical for maintenance and supply, particularly during the fierce winter storms that regularly battered the exposed island position.

Recognition of these operational challenges led to an extraordinary engineering undertaking in 1871-72, when the lights were moved to Flagstaff Hill as leading lights for the entry to the treacherous and shallow Warrnambool Harbour. The Lady Bay Upper Lighthouse was moved stone by stone from Middle Island to its current location on top of Flagstaff Hill. This remarkable relocation project demonstrated the determination of colonial authorities to provide adequate navigation aids for the dangerous approaches to Warrnambool’s harbour.

The lower light found its new home atop a bluestone obelisk that had been erected as a navigation marker in 1854, while a flagstaff had marked the hill since 1853. This dual-purpose arrangement created a leading light system where mariners could align the two beacons to navigate safely through the shallow entrance to Lady Bay, avoiding the hidden reefs and constantly shifting sand bars that had claimed so many vessels over previous years.

The lighthouse precinct on Flagstaff Hill evolved into a comprehensive maritime safety station with lighthouse keepers maintaining their vigilant watch over the approaches to Warrnambool. The solid basalt construction of the upper lighthouse, with its distinctive square tower design, proved well-suited to withstand the punishing southwesterly gales that regularly swept across the exposed hilltop position.

Today, they are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and serve as a reminder of the vital role they played in guiding mariners safely through the bay. The lighthouse complex forms the centrepiece of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, a theme park where visitors can explore the restored buildings and experience the maritime heritage of the Shipwreck Coast through interpretive displays and period demonstrations.

Technical Details

Lady Bay Upper Lighthouse (Flagstaff Hill)

• First Exhibited: 1859 (Middle Island), 1872 (Flagstaff Hill)
• Status: Heritage display (inactive)
• Location: Flagstaff Hill, Warrnambool, Victoria
• Construction: 1858-59, relocated 1871-72
• Material: Basalt quarried from Salt Water River, Melbourne
• Design: Square tower with attached buildings
• Original Location: Middle Island
• Function: Leading light (upper) with lower light
• Current Operator: Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village

Lady Bay Lower Lighthouse

• First Exhibited: 1872
• Construction: Built on 1854 bluestone obelisk
• Function: Leading light (lower) paired with upper light
• Heritage Status: Victorian Heritage Register listed

Disclaimer: Due to the need to get across the “Top End” in the dry season (which usually ends in October), and to spend time in the outback on the way north I have rushed the first stage of Act 3. In order to document the lighthouses I’ve visited I’ve enlisted the help of Elon Grok and A.I. Claude to help on these Lighthouse Stories. Despite their claims of infallibility I’ve found some of their facts not to be accurate and would welcome any corrections, which they will learn from! I have also sourced a number of photos from the public domain (i.e. Dr Google) to compliment the shots I’ve taken on my travels. I would like to concentrate on telling my personal experiences and thoughts as I travel around and intend to reedit these lighthouse stories when I have time.