Taranaki lighthouses

The Taranaki Region in New Zealand is home to the Cape Egmont Lighthouse, a historic and picturesque attraction. By day, the lighthouse visibly marks the western-most point of the Taranaki coast. By night, it flashes a white light once every eight seconds, guiding ships up to 22 nautical miles away. The lighthouse was built in London in the mid-1800s, with its cast-iron segments shipped to New Zealand and assembled on Mana Island in 1865. In 1881, the tower was dismantled and carried in sections to Cape Egmont due to several shipping accidents caused by confusion between the Mana light and the lighthouse at Wellington Heads. The massive cast-iron sections were ferried ashore by surfboats and then dragged up to the site by bullock teams.

To visit the Cape Egmont Lighthouse, follow State Highway 45 to Pungarehu. Just south of town, turn right on Cape Road and drive five kilometers to the lighthouse, which is at the end of the road. The lighthouse was automated in 1986 and is now owned and operated by Maritime New Zealand.

Taranaki lighthouses - Localista

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