BEACHPORT’SBOWMAN.docVIP

BEACHPORT’S BOWMAN SCENIC DRIVE The Scenic Drive was constructed by the District Council of Beachport, (now amalgamated into Wattle Range Council), over a period of 6 years, with the first stage commencing in 1967. It was named after Councillor Albert Bowman who served a term of 20 years as councillor for Beachport Ward. The starting point of the Scenic Drive is at the Round About at the junction of Railway Terrace and Beach Road. Turn right at the round about and drive along Beach Road to Glenn’s Point. Up until 1870 this was known as Whaler’s Point, as it was near the site of the Rivoli Bay Whaling Station, set up sometime in the 183’s by the Henty Brothers from Portland. The cairn making this site was erected in 1970 by the late Tom McCourt. The point was renamed after George Glenn, an earlier pioneer of the district. Opposite Glenn’s Point is the Boatyard (3). This area now occupies the site where Rivoli House, the offices and depot of South Eastern Drainage Board once stood. The house was demolished when the area was levelled for the slipway facilties and boatyard for the Department of Marine Harbours in 1971. Rivoli house was the home of the various superintendents of the South Eastern Drainage Board prior to the Office being moved to Millicent. Turn right into South Terrace and then turn left into Foster Street. At the end of the street is a car park from which you can walk to the Cape Martin Light House built in 1960. Look towards Penguin Island and you will see the ruins of the first lighthouse which was constructed in 1877-1878 and was lit for the first time on 13th August 1878. The light was fuelled by kerosene and revolved every 10 seconds. There were two cottages on the island, built to house the two lighthouse keepers and their families. A school was also built to cater for children’s educational needs. If you have a good pair of binoculars, then the lookout offers an excellent view of Penguin Island. The island, a wildlife sanctuary and breed