Split Point Lighthouse is located at Aireys Inlet. It is an iconic coastal landmark of the Great Ocean Road, offering some great views of the Southern Ocean.
A landmark of the Shipwreck Coast
The lighthouse was built in 1891, and its original name was Eagle Nest Point. It offers incredible 360 views from the top, attracting tourists all year round.
The weather can be dramatic at Aireys Inlet, with whooshing winds and crashing waves. The waters here are strong and forceful. Unsurprisingly, the area has seen many shipwrecks over its lifetime. Split Point Lighthouse towers 66 metres from sea level, watching over the vast expanse of ocean.
Take a journey into the history of this incredible and iconic lighthouse on the Great Ocean Road!
Here’s why you should visit:
- It’s related to some famous Aussie pop culture
- It offers gorgeous 360 views of the whole landscape
- Is a great stop-off point during your Great Ocean Road journey
- There are some great hikes around the lighthouse
A Famous Lighthouse: Round the Twist
Round the Twist is a famous Australian kid’s comedy show. It features Split Point Lighthouse as its setting. Subsequently, the lighthouse has become a beacon of cultural interest. The show is about a dysfunctional family who live in the lighthouse and experience strange supernatural events.
Thanks to its quirky content and catchy theme song, the show has gained cult classic status for teens during the 90s! It’s even been converted into a book and a theatre production!
Experiencing the lighthouse
For striking panoramic views of a rugged and dramatic coastline with white-capped waves, head up to the top of the lighthouse. You can do a self-guided tour for just $10, or you can take a guided tour around the lighthouse. If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot whales and dolphins from the top of the lighthouse viewpoint!
Check the weather before visiting the lighthouse – as sometimes it can be too windy to go up!
There is a car park right next to the lighthouse, and it’s just a few minutes to walk to the viewpoint.
Hiking around the lighthouse
There’s a great hike around Split Point Lighthouse, and it goes through a bit of bushland around the side of the lighthouse.
The hiking trail is called the Lighthouse Discovery Trail, and it’s about 2.2 km long. It’s quite an easy trail, but pack a jacket in colder weather. It gets cold up there!
Tons of lighthouses on the Great Ocean Road face the Southern Ocean. Another famous lighthouse in the area is Cape Otway Lighthouse – which is the oldest lighthouse in Australia that still stands.
Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia
Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.