An extract from Tourists' Guide to Geelong and the Southern Watering Places, published in 1893.
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"Point Lonsdale, which is about four miles beyond Queenscliff, forms one of the headlands at the entrance to Hobson's Bay - the opposite one being Point Nepean. It has a Lighthouse and signal station. There are a few cottages scattered about besides those belonging to the lighthouse, none large except a beautiful gabled house which has been recently erected, and commands a splendid view.
There is a reef of rocks extending some distance out from the beach, around which can be seen at low tide the remains of many sad wrecks; the current rushing past the end of the reef is tremendous. Until quite recently on the sandy beach beyond the Point the wreck of the "Glaneuse" was lying with masts still standing, and at high tide the waves dashing over her.
The climate in summer is delightful, and unless there is a strong north wind it is never very hot.
One point of interest is the life boat and jetty which has been built within the last two years, and makes a good place for fishing. At low tide there is a splendid beach for walking either into Queenscliff or to Ocean Grove, eight miles away. After a good sea there are innumerable specimens of beautiful seaweed strewn upon the shore.
The Cave in which Buckley is supposed to have lived for some time is at the Point, and bears his name.
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There is a constant interest in watching the ships passing through the rip, and sometimes the sunsets are very beautiful.
Facilities are always given to visitors to go up the Lighthouse tower, from the top of which a splendid panorama presents itself, both varied and extensive. Sea bathing and fishing can generally be indulged in at the proper state of the tide. Much has been done of late years to reclaim the sand hummocks, and according to the present rate of improvement in this locality, a few years will see it one of the most desirable seaside resorts in Victoria.1"
References :
- A. J. Campbell, Tourists' Guide to Geelong and the South Watering Places, Henry Thacker, Geelong, 1893, between pp.46-47.
[From the Geelong Historical Records Centre and the files of the Bellarine Historical Society]
Record Sources for Point Lonsdale
- Photographs : Bellarine Historical Society; Geelong Historical Records Centre; various private collections.
- Maps & Plans : Bellarine Historical Society; Geelong Historical Records Centre.
- Newspapers : Geelong Advertiser Indexes - Bellarine Historical Society & Geelong Historical Records Centre; Geelong Advertiser on microfilm - Geelong Historical Records Centre; various local newspapers - Bellarine Historical Society.
- Miscellaneous Documents & Advertisements : Bellarine Historical Society; Geelong Historical Records Centre; various private collections.
- Bellarine Shire Council Records : Geelong Historical Records Centre.
- More recent Council Records : City of Greater Geelong.
- Cemetery Records : (Queenscliff Cemetery) Bellarine Historical Society; Geelong Historical Records Centre.
- Land Records : Registrar of Titles, Melbourne; Bellarine Historical Society; Geelong Historical Records Centre.
Bibliography
Brownhill, Geo. H. Illustrated Guide to Geelong And District, Facsimile edn., Deakin University Press, Geelong, 1990.
Campbell, A. J. Tourist Guide to Geelong and Southern Watering Places, Henry Thacker, Geelong, 1893.
McLeod, Eunice. Early History of Portarlington and East Bellarine, Indented Head and St. Leonards, Eunice McLeod, Portarlington, 1962.
McLeod, Eunice. Portarlington, Indented Head, St. Leonards : History & Reminiscences, Marine History, Portarlington, n.d. (reprint with changes to above publication).
Wynd, Ian. Balla-wein : A history of the Shire of Bellarine, Shire of Bellarine, Drysdale, 1988.
Wynd, Ian. Geelong The Pivot : A Short History of Geelong and District, Cypress Books, Mont Albert North, 1971.
