Cape Foulwind Lighthouse

The Cape Foulwind Lighthouse is a lighthouse that is located at Cape Foulwind, 11 km (7 mi) west of the town of Westport on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Perched 70 metres (230 ft) above the Tasman Sea,[1] the light guides vessels along the Buller coast,[2] and is one of the most accessible lighthouses in the country.[3] The LED light flashes white once every 12 seconds and has a range 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi).[4] It is a Category 2 heritage listed structure.[5]

Cape Foulwind Lighthouse
New Zealand
LocationCape Foulwind, New Zealand
Coordinates41°45′S 171°28′E
Year first lit1876
Automated1926
ConstructionConcrete tower
Tower height9 metres (30 ft)
Focal height70 metres (230 ft)
Light sourceLED beacon powered by a bank of batteries charged by solar panels
Range10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi)
CharacteristicFlashes white once every 12 seconds
Admiralty numberK4486
HeritageHistoric Place Category 2 (list number 5023)

History

The need for a lighthouse was identified during the goldrush era;[2] however, it was not until 1 September 1876 that the light was first lit.[4][6][7] The original hexagonal tower was built of rimu. It suffered from rot, and was replaced in 1926 by the present concrete tower with an automated light, which is now operated remotely from Maritime New Zealand's Wellington office.[4] Traces of foundations of the old tower and the keeper's houses can still be seen.[2][3]

Access

The lighthouse is an 11-kilometre (6.8 mi) drive west from the town of Westport and a ten-minute walk from the northern end of the Cape Foulwind walkway. The circular walkway goes past the lighthouse, and on to the New Zealand Fur Seal colony at Tauranga Bay, with views back to the lighthouse.[8] Entry into the lighthouse structure itself is not permitted.[4]

Operations

The lighthouse is operated by the Maritime New Zealand, it is registered under the international Admiralty number K4486 and it has the NGA identifier of 111–5600.[1] With a focal height of 70 metres (230 ft) above sea level, the light can be seen for 10 nautical miles.[4] Its characteristic is a white flash every twelve seconds, originally fitted with a Fresnel optic, it now uses an LED system fixed to the gallery railing.[1]

  • Interpretive sign on the walkway
  • Sunset over the lighthouse
  • Between 1879 and 1929

References
  1. "Lighthouses of New Zealand: South Island". www.ibiblio.org. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  2. Guiding LIght (Interpretative sign along the Cape Foulwind walkway). Cape Foulwind: Department of Conservation.
  3. "Cape Foulwind Walkway". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  4. "Cape Foulwind lighthouse – Maritime NZ". www.maritimenz.govt.nz. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  5. "Search the List | Cape Foulwind Lighthouse | Heritage New Zealand". www.heritage.org.nz. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  6. "Cape Foulwind lighthouse". Christchurch Star. 18 August 1876. p. 2. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  7. "Notice to mariners". West Coast Times. 27 May 1876. p. 2. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  8. Simon Nathan (12 June 2015). "'West Coast places – Westport'". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
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