Flying out of Essendon airport with Island Airlines, the plane tracks east of Melbourne’s CBD then follows the suburban beaches down to the Mornington Peninsula. There are great views of Westernport Bay and Gippsland coastal towns through to Wilson’s Promontory.At the Promontory, you head out over the ocean and the first of the east Bass Strait islands come into sight. One of the islands of the Kent Group you fly over is Deal Island.
Recently declared a National Park, Deal is easily identified with its distinctive lighthouse standing high up on the island’s steep terrain. Built with convict labour in 1847 to light the eastern entrance to Bass Strait, this was the first agreement between the then Colonial Governments. Involving Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia, it was the forerunner of increased cooperation that ultimately led to Federation in 1901.
The commandant’s cottage, also built in 1847, provides two fine examples of early colonial architecture.
Standing over 300 metres, the lighthouse is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere.It ceased functioning in the 1970s, but over the 130 or so years, 11 children were born there. As testimony of the difficult life for lighthouse keepers and their families, 50 metres from the Lighthouse is a tiny ring of white stones and a cross that simply reads ‘baby’.
Today volunteer caretakers live on the island for a three month stint. They must take everything with them including diesel for the generator. As well as phoning in daily weather reports, their presence ensures the preservation of the heritage value of the island.
Camping is permitted on the island, with access by boat, light plane or helicopter. The Tasmanian Government is keen to encourage an ecotourism development for Deal island.
