Liptrap

In 1913 a lighthouse was built on the rugged headland known as Cape Liptrap overlooking Bass Strait to help guide mariners plying the coastal route between Melbourne and Sydney. It comprised an acetylene light radiating from a 2.1-metre-high lantern set on top of a six-metre steel tower. The present more traditional looking lighthouse stands 9.75 metres tall and was built to replace the original structure in 1951. Its 40,000-candela light has a range of 18 nautical miles or more than 43 kilometres and has operated automatically ever since electricity was connected in 1970, flashing three times every 15 seconds A narrow peninsula offering spectacular views of the South Gippsland coast, Cape Liptrap is the southernmost spine of the Hoddle Ranges, running out into Bass Strait. It consists of steep cliffs of folded marine sediments, flanked by rock pinnacles and wave-cut platforms. Stand near the lighthouse and you can see the surf pounding in on Grinders Point to the east, with the peaks of Wilsons Promontory in the distance. Away to the north-west is Morgans Beach and Arch Rock, with Cape Paterson beyond. The 4,175-hectare Cape Liptrap Coastal Park was declared in 1997 to protect the striking scenery between the sand barrier at Point Smythe at Venus Bay and the sheltered waters of Waratah Bay at Walkerville. The Park boasts extensive coastal heathlands of scented paperbark, common heath, several varieties of she-oaks, silver banksia, bushy hakea and prickly tea-tree. It is home to wombats, wallabies, koalas, echidnas and the rare swamp antechinus, as well as many types of native birds, such as wrens, crimson rosellas, pied currawongs and the eastern whipbird. Along the beaches look for Pacific and silver gulls, sooty oyster-catchers, herons, cormorants and Australian gannets. Between Venus Bay and Cape Liptrap, the coast varies between attractive cliffs of limestone to broad sandy beaches, backed by tall dunes. Parks Victoria recently built safety rails around the lighthouse to reduce the likelihood of people being blown off the Cape by the strong winds that often whip across Bass Strait. A parking area and picnic tables have also been constructed near the lighthouse. Those with an adventurous nature can walk to the very tip of the Cape or take the long and steep walk down to the beach below, one that's very popular with experienced surfers. Gemstones such as jasper and serpentine are commonly found in the sheltered coves along the coast between Walkerville and the Cape. There are inviting walking tracks to be found at Walkerville and also at Venus Bay, and these really are the best way to appreciate the beauty of Cape Liptrap Coastal Park. To reach the Park and the lighthouse drive via the Fish Creek-Walkerville Road to the southern edge of Walkerville’s Promontory Views estate before turning right towards Walkerville South. Look for the Cape Liptrap Road and the signs pointing towards the lighthouse on the left. Click Here for Accommodation