Cape Maria van Diemen

NEW ZEALAND LIGHTHOUSES

Cape Maria van Diemen/Motuopao Island (1879)

Photo courtesy of MSA.

Views from Te Werahi Beach

Views from Cape Reinga

Views From Te Warahi gate

Over 120 wrecks have occurred in the waters of Northland with a fair number of those in the waters surrounding Cape Reinga and Cape Maria van Diemen.

In 1879 a lighthouse was built on Motuopao Island off Cape Maria van Dieman. As access was a problem and getting a boat across in rough seas difficult, a flying fox was installed in 1886 between the cape and the island.

Unfortunately the lights beam was not visible from North Cape so an order was given in 1938 to install a light at Cape Reinga using the lens from Motuopao Island.

A battery powered beacon now stands on Cape Maria van Dieman.

DIRECTIONS:

From the Cape Reinga car park, take the track down to Te Werahi beach, walk along the beach to the Cape Maria van Diemen turnoff (1 hr 45 min). The walk out to the cape is another 1 hr 30 min return trip.

Island	North
Province	Northland
Location	North Cape
Number	K3686
Date Commissioned	1879
Date Decommissioned	1941
Automated
Latitude	34° 29' South*
Longitude	172° 39' East*
Elevation Above Sea Level	91m*
Height	2m*
Character	Flashes white 3 times every 20 seconds*
Range	9 N. miles*
Made
Construction	Original wooden, present tower white metal with a red lantern.
Converted Kerosene To Diesel
Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity	Present light is battery powered
Wattage
Present Tower	Not original
Authority	Owned and operated by Maritime Safety Authority
Date Visited	6 February, 2000

* Present tower.

Head Keeper

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Assistant Keeper (1st)

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