In the center of the bay you see the ferry to Tasmania, a red ship. South West of that is Queenscliffe which is just near the Rip. There are three lights which are front range in conjunction with the black lighthouse as the rear. A skipper can tell by lining up one or other of the front lights with the black light whether he is in the middle, the right or the left side of the entrance to the rip. Channel markers take over from there on.
The only ship allowed to enter or leave the port without the approval of the radio operator at Point Lonsdale light, is the ferry. Point lonsdale is just near Queenscliffe.
See my web site:-
http://lighthouses.net.au/lights/ptlonsdale.htm