Point Hicks Lighthouse – Conservation Construction works

Summary and scope

The Point Hicks Light Station is located at Point Hicks in the Point Hicks Light Station Reserve. The area has a long and rich history of occupation by the Traditional Owners for tens of thousands of years prior to European settlement. The name Point Hicks, originally named ‘Cape Everard’ by European settlers, was adopted in 1970 in commemoration of the first sighting of Australia by Captain Cook in 1770.The Light station was constructed in 1888-90 as part of the third campaign of lighthouse building in Victoria. It was designed by Public Works Department architect Frederick Hynes and constructed by J Horne and Co. The lighthouse is the first concrete tower constructed in Victoria, and one of the tallest lighthouses in Australia and the tallest on the mainland. The keepers' quarters and outbuildings are constructed of weatherboard rather than the more common practice of using stone.The Light station is important as an intact complex of light station buildings. While decommissioned, the lighthouse lens apparatus remains in-situ. Safe Transport Victoria continues to operate a light from the balcony of the tower.The Light station is of historical, social, architectural, archaeological, and scientific significance to the State of Victoria. The place was included on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) as H1983, in February 2004, and any works to this registered place are subject to approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.